major, weird problem (windows crashes linux doesn't)

[joris20]

Hi all
if you can fix this, you are GOOD. a lot of forums and computer shop people don't know what's wrong, but maybe you can help!

system: Windows XP 32-bit Pro (all updates till december 2008) (and dual boot with openSuse 11.0)
HDD: 320GB S-ATA samsung spinpoint
CPU: AMD Athlon x64 5200+
mobo: ASUS M2N (standard)
GPU: nvidia geforce 8500 GT
mem: 2+1 GB Apacer CL.5 DDR2 RAM

problem:[/b]
when using windows, my pc often freezes and requires reboot. It's very weird though: when a browser window is active, things like javascript countdown timers KEEP GOING and when i minimize an application, it WORKS or when i single click on a desktop icon it TURNS BLUE but when i try to open anything, click anything, maximize any window or do anything else, i get an hourglass mouse pointer and from that moment on i can do NOTHING but move my mouse. my pc is STUCK and i have to reboot.

That's not so bad when it happens once in a month, but this happens every day a few times now, somtimes even when only botting windows! (hangs during load screen. the progress bar keeps going but no progress is made).
another weird thing is that my little red light on my case that starts burning/flickering when you pc is 'working hard' goes completely black. normally it flickers at least every 2 or 3 seconds when my pc is idle, to burning for whole seconds when loading a big program. when my pc crashes in it's weird way, the light won't go on anymore.

Some people said it has to do something with my RAM. they told me to unplug the socket, press power button a few times, then replug the socket and boot. that worked the first time! i was able to continue for a few months, then BAM it hit me again. they then told me to also remove my RAM during the mentioned process, and that worked too, but again, after a month, it happened AGAIN. sad thing is, NOTHING works anymore, wether i remove the RAM or not.

Another strange thing: THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN ON LINUX! i have opensuse 11.0 and it never had any problems with it! so i thought "oh well a bad windows install" but NO: i installed 3 or 4 different xp versions now and none worked all gave me the same crash in the end.

FAILED solutions:
-memtest86+ to check RAM
-remove a RAM unit (i have 2 so i removed 1 and tested the other and vice versa, didnt make any difference)
-HDD check
-unplug socket and press power button etc.
-flash BIOS
-reïnstall windows
-reformat HDD
-update drivers
-... maybe some more i can't remember right now

PLEASE if you are able to help, do it, because i need it badly school year's end is near and if i don't have my pc available for my final tests... >.>

THANK YOU

Joris

[Dias de verano]

Windows uses RAM differently from Linux, so I don't believe you have completely eliminated RAM issues. Is trying some other brand RAM an option?

[joris20]

Windows uses RAM differently from Linux, so I don't believe you have completely eliminated RAM issues. Is trying some other brand RAM an option?

i guess it would. i can buy another brand, but if that doesn't work... =/ i can afford some more RAM, but it would be bad if it wouldn't help...

maybe is should get some from a friend to test... thanks for the tip - i'll update you

[Dias de verano]

Just noticed you've got 32 bit Windows on 64 bit hardware. Hardware driver issues could be a factor.

[joris20]

Just noticed you've got 32 bit Windows on 64 bit hardware. Hardware driver issues could be a factor.

1. wouldn't driver issues cause constant trouble? (my system used to work fine for periods of like 3 months+)
2. im 99% sure my chipset driver cd includes 32-bit versions... or doesn't that matter?

I arranged some DDR2 units with a friend. if they work for a week (or 2 if he can miss them) i will post here, if not im gonna be here sooner, and try to find out more about driver issues.

thanks for your devotion

[Dias de verano]

1. wouldn't driver issues cause constant trouble? (my system used to work fine for periods of like 3 months+)
2. im 99% sure my chipset driver cd includes 32-bit versions... or doesn't that matter?

I arranged some DDR2 units with a friend. if they work for a week (or 2 if he can miss them) i will post here, if not im gonna be here sooner, and try to find out more about driver issues.

thanks for your devotion

I'm not sure, but when I put "works fine in Linux, but windows crashes" into Google, I came  across a thread where the Windows was 32 bit on 64 bit hardware, and I think there was a driver implicated.

[joris20]

I'm not sure, but when I put "works fine in Linux, but windows crashes" into Google, I came  across a thread where the Windows was 32 bit on 64 bit hardware, and I think there was a driver implicated.

sorry but english is not my native language :S
what exactly do you mean by implicated?
"was it also there" or "was it probably/certainly the cause of the problem" ?

[Dias de verano]

what exactly do you mean by implicated?

possibly part of, or all of, the reason for the problem.

[Spoiler]

Check the manual for your MB and get approved RAM for it.

Sometimes the 64 bit boards crash for no reason when using RAM that has not been approved for the MB

[joris20]

Check the manual for your MB and get approved RAM for it.

Sometimes the 64 bit boards crash for no reason when using RAM that has not been approved for the MB

it says "You may install a maximum of 2 GB DIMMs on each slot, but only DDR2-533 and DDR2-667 2 GB density modules are available for this configuration."
i have one 1GB DIMM and one 2GB DIMM, both are able to run at 800MHz. does this mean i should let bios put a limit of 667 on it?
another strange thing: when i let bios put the limit on let's say 400MHz, it says its only at 200 when i then reboot (it says so in the system overview, the settings are still at 400 when i check them). its's always only half the value of the settings. is that normal?

and: my brand of RAM (Apacer) is not in the qualified vendors list, but that shouldn't always cause trouble, should it... by the way, the qualified list only shows RAM up to 1024MB per unit. and i have a 2GB unit :p

[Dias de verano]

and: my brand of RAM (Apacer) is not in the qualified vendors list, but that shouldn't always cause trouble, should it...

Not always, but it is quite possible, and if it does, you only have yourself to blame. I found this out the hard way with a Shuttle barebones kit: Those lists exist for a reason.

[joris20]

Not always, but it is quite possible, and if it does, you only have yourself to blame. I found this out the hard way with a Shuttle barebones kit: Those lists exist for a reason.

parts vendor said everything was compatible looks like i'm really gonna need new RAM :p but thats ok my mate told me he knew some place "cheap" (he mentioned Kingston and cheap in the same sentence, so first i want to see it, then believe it :p )
im getting testing RAM tomorrow

thanks for your help!! ill keep you updated

[joris20]

seems like my nvidia GPU is heating up to 70°C !!!
i guess that's the problem :p i also underclocked my CPU as it was on maximum (by default!) and it seems like everything is stable now.

// closed & thanks to all of you!!

[Dias de verano]

70 C is not disastrous, the gpu will start to throttle down at around 120, as people who live in tropical zones will tell you.