This damn thing keeps crashing!

[shankems2000]

It started a while ago, but it wasn't as frequent until now. I'll be going on my jolly way using my computer and then out of nowhere it crashes and either reboots, blue screens, or just has a blank screen. I always keep my antivirus and spybot up to date. The crashes got so frequent that I recently did a complete reinstallation of Windows XP and the thing still crashes. I'm typing this very fast because I'm afraid it will crash before I'm done.

Anybody got any ideas? Because I don't have the cash right now to get a new computer.

[jacqui]

I am at work now but my home computer is doing the same thing. I am up to date with the security software but mine works for 5-10 minutes then it crashes.

[DBlack]

Sorry to hear the computer drama. Here are some questions/things to try:

• What are the specs of your computer? Use this utility to extract your entire system config
• What are you usually doing before the crash?
• What is the errror code and file reference on your BSOD (blue screen of death)? Google that error.
• How long has the crashes been going on?
• What xp service pack are you running?

Those questions will get us started in troubleshooting your problem.

Let us know.

[shankems2000]

Originally Posted by DBlack

Sorry to hear the computer drama. Here are some questions/things to try:

• What are the specs of your computer? Use this utility to extract your entire system config
• What are you usually doing before the crash?
• What is the errror code and file reference on your BSOD (blue screen of death)? Google that error.
• How long has the crashes been going on?
• What xp service pack are you running?

Those questions will get us started in troubleshooting your problem.

Let us know.

I did that utility thing, but I don't see an option to copy and paste the information here so I just typed the most important looking stuff:

• Microsoft windows XP Home Edition Version 2002 service pack 1

*note that it is only service pack 1 because installing all of those updates slows my computer down to a crawl and I feel, because of that, that the service updates cause more harm than good*

Pentium 4 2.66 GHZ, 512 MB RAM (2, 256 MB Modules), 120GB HD,BIOS Version Phoenix Award BIOS v6.00PG, Chipset SIS 651 CPU to PCI bridge,
Radeon 9600 XT with 128 MB Video memory

• I'm usually either typing up some homework, browsing the net or playing a computer game before it crashes (I know what you're thinking, it's the game but it can't be because my specs far exceed the recommended specs for the games I'm playing, plus it never used to crash like it does now)
• It used to show an error code that went something like "windows encountered an error and you are seeing this message to prevent further damage to your computer (some other stuff I can't remember) and then dumping physical memory something, something" BTW, when it bluescreens on me now, it doesn't show any message, just a blank blue screen. It also sometimes on startup shows "xp unable to boot because win/systems32/driver/pcisys is missing and I did a google search and tried to repair it from the recovery console, you know d:\i386\pci.sy_c:\Windows\System32 blah blah, but it just says that the file path or destination can't be found
• Hmm, the crashes have been going on for man, I don't know, I guess about 4 months, but they used to only happen on a rare occassion up until a month ago when it started to crash every 5 minutes.

Sorry about writing an essay, but I just wanted to let you know exactly what was happening so that you can figure out what's wrong and point me in the right direction.

Thanks

[DBlack]

k, try this:

First, let's verify that the directory actually exists. When in windows, browse to the location with explorer. If that \drivers directory is missing, That would be alarming as it's required for successful boot into windows. That's the folder where all of your installed 32-bit drivers reside. Make sure you can see the pci.sys.

• You mentioned that your system gives you the pci.sys startup error sometimes, which indicates either a hardware, bios or driver related issue.
• What is the model of your system and name of your motherboard? I would check to see if you have the latest chipset drivers for your system/motherboard. Since your chipset is a few years old, chances are you may not have the latest stable version. The fact that your system boots to a solid blue screen suggests that the system is trying to load a driver.
• Also, make sure you have the latest version of DirectX and SP2 on your system. You have to get sp2 installed. The fact that your system slows down with this update, again hints at a hardware, or driver issue.

[darkreign]

check your fans and your heat sink for your CPU. they come with a plug that plug into your motherboard to shut down your computer until the CPU cools off. the reason i said to check your fans is b\c your power supply has one to keep it cool also. you can observe these fans with your case cracked.

[shankems2000]

Originally Posted by DBlack

k, try this:

First, let's verify that the directory actually exists. When in windows, browse to the location with explorer. If that \drivers directory is missing, That would be alarming as it's required for successful boot into windows. That's the folder where all of your installed 32-bit drivers reside. Make sure you can see the pci.sys.

• You mentioned that your system gives you the pci.sys startup error sometimes, which indicates either a hardware, bios or driver related issue.
• What is the model of your system and name of your motherboard? I would check to see if you have the latest chipset drivers for your system/motherboard. Since your chipset is a few years old, chances are you may not have the latest stable version. The fact that your system boots to a solid blue screen suggests that the system is trying to load a driver.
• Also, make sure you have the latest version of DirectX and SP2 on your system. You have to get sp2 installed. The fact that your system slows down with this update, again hints at a hardware, or driver issue.

No, the driver directory can't be missing, because everytime I entered that command into the recovery console to try to install the missing pci file, I had to type "map" to see where the xp disc was (even though I knew it's in my I drive) and it said "I: cd rom-disc 1" but for some reason the command wouldn't do what it was supposed to and said filename or directory doesn't exist.

The model of my system is Microsoft XP home edition version 2002 service pack 1. My motherboard is microstar international CO. LTD MS-6719. My BIOS version is Phoenix Award BIOS v6.00PG. The Chipset is SIS 651 CPU to PCI Bridge.

I have the latest version of Direct X, I installed it after I reinstalled the drivers for my graphics card.

I'll mos def check for any BIOS upgrades though. I'll let you know if it helped.

Originally Posted by darkreign

check your fans and your heat sink for your CPU. they come with a plug that plug into your motherboard to shut down your computer until the CPU cools off. the reason i said to check your fans is b\c your power supply has one to keep it cool also. you can observe these fans with your case cracked.

They looked fine, besides a little dust I blew off the fans, that is.

[darkreign]

Your CPU can still be getting hot. Many computer today are designed to turn off or automatically reboot if the computer,CPU, or other devices in your computer gets to hot. Have you heard any abnormal noises coming from your PC such as a high squealing? this could indicate a fan may be failing in your computer. Also check your BIOS, it may contain a utility that monitors the RPM the fans; they may turn but not at the required RPM.

[DBlack]

Good suggestion DR. Heat could be an issue. You can quickly assess this by removing your case side door/panel. If your machine still locks up/crashes with it open, then you know it's not heat.

I looked up your vendor for the motherboard and could not find that specific model. I was able to find the chipset. That particular company SIS has a reputation for making chipsets that are not reliable over time. Support for your chipset is discontinued which means you may not even find a later bios.

Also, try replacing your memory with different sticks. If you have two, remove one and swap.