Computer locks up using CD Rom and USB.

[JIggens]

I am trying to install software into my computer thru the CD-Rom. Every time I try my computer locks up and I have to reboot computer. On top of that, When I plug printer or scanner into usb, my computer freezes and I have to reboot. ALT CTRL DELETE does not work, I have to reboot every time.

I am not sure if its a software problem or a hardware problem.  Device manger shows no conflicts, so I am at a lose. HELP!! I am running Windows XP SP3.

If you need more info... I will do my best to get it for you. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!!

COMPUTER SPECS:

ASUS M2N32-SLI DELUXE
AMD ATHLON 64X2 DUAL PROCESSOR 5000+

CD ROMS
TOSHIBA CD/DVDW SD-R5372
LITE-ON DVD SOHD-16P95

PRINTER
HP PHOTOSMART P1000< SOFTWARE UPDATED

SCANNER
HP SCANNER 5370 SERIES< SOFTWARE UPDATED

[Allan]

All software or just one particular cd?

[patio]

Double check to see if it's an 80pin cable for the optical drives...
If you have recently upgraded your OS this may be the issue...and a 5 dollar fix.

[JIggens]

All software... It took me a whole day to put a Graphic driver in. But I finally got it to go.

[Allan]

And you appear to have two optical drives - same problem with both?

[JIggens]

Yes... It doesn't matter which one I use... Computer still locks up.

[Allan]

Per patio's question, did you recently upgrade the OS? What is new or different since the last time everything worked properly (ie, new hw, new sw, virus, error, etc)?

What happens if you try to install from safe mode?

[JIggens]

Let me try to explain... First off, the optical drive is a 39pin. 

Monday night, I came home, booted up my computer. Well, I got a blue screen, saying something about a physical memory dump. So, I rebooted again, Only the first screen would boot, I couldnt get it to boot all the way to windows. So, the next day I used my windows cd and finally got it to boot up fully. Saved what I could and reformatted my computer twice. Computer was still unstable but at least booted all the way through. Yesterday, I tried to install drivers. Took me a whole day to install them. I had to keep rebooting to unlock pc.

[JIggens]

I have not tried to install in safe mode... I will try that.

[JIggens]

Tried installing software in safe mode... Computer still locked up. 

[Allan]

Let me try to explain... First off, the optical drive is a 39pin. 

Monday night, I came home, booted up my computer. Well, I got a blue screen, saying something about a physical memory dump. So, I rebooted again, Only the first screen would boot, I couldnt get it to boot all the way to windows. So, the next day I used my windows cd and finally got it to boot up fully. Saved what I could and reformatted my computer twice. Computer was still unstable but at least booted all the way through. Yesterday, I tried to install drivers. Took me a whole day to install them. I had to keep rebooting to unlock pc.

And you didn't think this was important to mention?

You are obviously having problems much more significant than the optical drives. What was the blue screen error?

Have you run a diagnostic on your ram? Did you boot to the recovery console and run chkdsk /r?

[JIggens]

Actually.. no i didnt think I had to mention it... computer runs fine as long as I don't use the CD-Rom or plug the printer or scanner in USB.  The error prior to me reformatting was something about a physical memory dump. I am just trying to figure out why my CD-Rom, Printer and Scanner are locking up my system.

[dj-allen]

Sound like a hardware problem. To me. I had the same stuff happen to me and they told me it was my hard drive. That my hard drive was going out I dont know but that's what they told me at BestBuy.

[JIggens]

Thank you DJ. I just needed to know something.  I suspected it might be that. But don't understand how that has anything to do with my cd rom, printer and scanner..Again thank you for your input.

I am doing a diagnostic test on it now. I will let you know what it said once it is done.

[JIggens]

Diagnostic Test came out okay... Is there a way to test my hard drive to see if that is the problem??