Help! New build - constant errors and reboots

[lavigne.mike]

Hi all, I'm a newbie to building computers and have just completed my first self build.  I'm having constant error
messages and spontaneous reboots and can't figure out what the problem is.

I completed a new install of Windows XP HE SP 2 with all available updates.  I updated my BIOS to the latest
version.  I updated all other drivers I could find (chipset, vid card, sound card, etc...)
Every so often my system reboots spontaneously.  Once I log back into Windows I sometimes get "The system has
recovered from a serious error..."  I do the error report and get a web page that lists the problem sometimes as a
video device driver and other times just as a device driver.

Many times programs run into errors:  "Generic host process for win 32 services has encountered a problem and needs
to close...." followed immediately by "Windows must now restart because the RPC service terminated unexpectedly..."
or "Liveupdate engine com module has encountered a problem and needs to close..."  It seems that installation programs often run into problems.  As well, I get "memory at XXXX cannot be read" error messages from time to time.

As well, Norton Antivirus will not update the virus definitions and often spits out error messages.  As well, I cannot install Sun Java software - I get a "lib\plugin.jar:  Old file not found.  However, a file of the same name was found. No update done since file contents do not match."

I submitted a ticket to Intel for the reboot issue (the error messages were too numerous to list) and the first thing they suggested was update drivers - done.  The second thing they suggested is confirming that the RAM is compatible and trying different RAM.  Could someone tell me if the RAM listed above is compatible with these specs?  I noticed recently (while making this post and backing it up constantly) that I have to copy something twice in order to get it to spit out when I paste it....

I'm also somewhat concerned with CPU temp, as this system tends to run around 40-50 C even under no load, although everything I read says these chips run hot.  I haven't been able to put it under load (ie a game) as I'm trying to stabilize the system first.

Here's my system specs:
Intel 945GPM board - http://www.intel.com/products/motherboard/d945gpm/index.htm
Intel Pentium D 840 dual core 3.2GHZ
PQI Ram - PQI25400-1GDB - http://www.pqimemory.com/spec1.asp?link=/dc/PQI25400-1GDB.htm
EVGA Geforce 6700 GT KO Video Card (PCIe)- http://www.evga.com/products/moreinfo.asp?pn=256-P2-N554-AX&family=22
Maxtor 200 GB HD
Leadtec Winfaxt 2000XP TV tuner card
Sound blaster 24 bit live sound card
Ultra MicroATX case with 400 watt power supply.

Sorry for the novel, but I'm at a loss and could use any suggestions anyone might have.

Thanks in advance for your help!

[ale52]

[highlight]Every so often my system reboots spontaneously.[/highlight]  Possibly heat related

[highlight]As well, Norton Antivirus...[/highlight] enough said.  Switch to free AVG

What happens if you just did a wipe and reinstall w/o all the driver updates?  Do the problems start right after that or after you've 'updated' stuff?  Trying to rule out a driver issue here

Alan <><  

[honvetops]

is it possible one problem is a video confrontation (drivers) between the onboard chip and the geforce 6700 ?? Did u disable the onboard oem video chip in the bios before installing the geforce ?
Does that video card require separate power supply like the 4 pins on some 24 mobo clips?

[Fed]

My money is on the RAM---> www.memtest86 + 1 blank floppy

[honvetops]

his ram looks compatible to me, what r u seeing ?

[lavigne.mike]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions, much appreciated.

Onboard video has been disabled.

I was reluctant to reinstall Windows again right now to check for driver issues as I have limited time to devote to fixing my system for the next two weeks or so, but I did follow the advice at this thread (http://www.computerhope.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?num=1144733358) and ran the MS memory test tool.

I didn't have time to let it finish, but at pass 103 my RAM had failed about 70% of the tests.  I would guess this is a good indicator that my RAM is either not compatible with the Mother Board or faulty?  Am I correct?

Thanks

[GX1_Man]

Correct. Where did you get it? Did the Mobo manual say this particular type of RAM is compatible? How about a look at the crucial.com web site and compare ALL characteristics of what you should have goten against what you purchased.

[lavigne.mike]

This just keeps getting weirder.  After I scanned my memory last night, I have not had any problems at all, even after installing multiple programs including games and playing games.  I didn't do anything else to the system that I'm aware of, but everything is running great now, for some strange reason.  Anyway, I'm not going to press my luck so until I run into more problems, it's status quo for now.  

Either way, thanks for the help!

[GX1_Man]

We're just that good.  

[honvetops]

my 2 cents (from checking it out yesterday)
his board "recommended" the type ram he has ??  go figure*

[Fed]

It's a bit of a mystery why his problems disappeared, I'd like to see him re-test the RAM again.
I wonder if he inadvertently fixed it by re-seating the RAM?

[lavigne.mike]

Nope, didn't touch the RAM physically.  I'll run some more tests tomorrow and let you guys know.  I'm dumbfounded.  The only possibility I can think of is if Windows downloaded some update and installed it, but I had updates set to ask me before installing, so I really am at a loss, a very happy loss though!  Phew is all I can say.