Hi, I asked my question in the Windows XP forum already, but I guess it wasn't the right section for it.
At any rate, I've got a problem with my computer crashing whenever I access a disc through Windows Explorer or a program dialog window and begin to browse the disc. My current DVD-RAM writer is not the drive that came with the computer and that Windows XP were installed with - that was a Toshiba DVD ROM reader only. I've followed all the advice I found on this and other forums, and nothing helped, so I'm turning to you guys directly.
Facts that might help narrow down the possibilities:
* I'm running Windows XP Professional, SP3 (original, activated, updated);
* it happens in all modes, regular, safe, Admin, Admin safe (though it takes longest in admin safe mode for some reason);
* it doesn't matter whether it's a CD or DVD, original or burned;
* it happens as soon there is seeking to be done, e.g. by accessing a new folder. Instead of the file pane in Explorer going blank for a moment (because the contents haven't been read yet) and possibly the hourglass appearing, there is a crash. However, if the disc is only inserted (and read, because the Windows Explorer displays the correct disc label), there is never a crash. When the crash occurs, there is no blue screen and the computer crashes and reboots instantly. Windows will sometimes display the message about recovering from a serious error but not always;
* my current DVD drive is a LG DVD-RAM writer, model no. GH22NP20. As I said, the computer originally came with a Toshiba DVD reader-only drive and was fine - still can't make it crash if I put it in and after all, Windows installed perfectly . They are both IDE, the cable used is the same, as is the power supply connector, so it can't be those. I borrowed a Sony Optiarc DVD-RW drive to see if it's drive related and I had the exact same issue;
* I've deleted the drive and the Primary IDE channel in the device manager in order for Windows to re-detect it a number of times, I've tried changing DMA and PIO settings in the BIOS, I've performed the Windows System File check (sfc /scannow - came back with no errors) and I've done a clean boot by disabling WIN.INI etc - no change. The Device Manager shows no issues and there are never any errors reported in the Event Viewer;
* everything else works perfectly and there are very few programs installed (Opera browser, Word '97, some music and audio software and sundry utility programs) and if I don't try to access discs, I could have the computer running for weeks on end;
* some people suggested I have a power supply issue, that the old one possibly couldn't handle the power peak required by the disc starting to spin. I have bought a new 420W today and it nothing has changed..
My configuration: Asus P5LD2-VM with the latest drivers installed, Pentium 4 3 GHz, a 80-gig Samsung hard drive, 1784 MB of RAM, and an EMU 0404 PCI soundcard. The temperatures are super low, 35 degrees for the motherboard and 43 degrees centigrade for the hard drive typically.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions you may provide.
At any rate, I've got a problem with my computer crashing whenever I access a disc through Windows Explorer or a program dialog window and begin to browse the disc. My current DVD-RAM writer is not the drive that came with the computer and that Windows XP were installed with - that was a Toshiba DVD ROM reader only. I've followed all the advice I found on this and other forums, and nothing helped, so I'm turning to you guys directly.
Facts that might help narrow down the possibilities:
* I'm running Windows XP Professional, SP3 (original, activated, updated);
* it happens in all modes, regular, safe, Admin, Admin safe (though it takes longest in admin safe mode for some reason);
* it doesn't matter whether it's a CD or DVD, original or burned;
* it happens as soon there is seeking to be done, e.g. by accessing a new folder. Instead of the file pane in Explorer going blank for a moment (because the contents haven't been read yet) and possibly the hourglass appearing, there is a crash. However, if the disc is only inserted (and read, because the Windows Explorer displays the correct disc label), there is never a crash. When the crash occurs, there is no blue screen and the computer crashes and reboots instantly. Windows will sometimes display the message about recovering from a serious error but not always;
* my current DVD drive is a LG DVD-RAM writer, model no. GH22NP20. As I said, the computer originally came with a Toshiba DVD reader-only drive and was fine - still can't make it crash if I put it in and after all, Windows installed perfectly . They are both IDE, the cable used is the same, as is the power supply connector, so it can't be those. I borrowed a Sony Optiarc DVD-RW drive to see if it's drive related and I had the exact same issue;
* I've deleted the drive and the Primary IDE channel in the device manager in order for Windows to re-detect it a number of times, I've tried changing DMA and PIO settings in the BIOS, I've performed the Windows System File check (sfc /scannow - came back with no errors) and I've done a clean boot by disabling WIN.INI etc - no change. The Device Manager shows no issues and there are never any errors reported in the Event Viewer;
* everything else works perfectly and there are very few programs installed (Opera browser, Word '97, some music and audio software and sundry utility programs) and if I don't try to access discs, I could have the computer running for weeks on end;
* some people suggested I have a power supply issue, that the old one possibly couldn't handle the power peak required by the disc starting to spin. I have bought a new 420W today and it nothing has changed..
My configuration: Asus P5LD2-VM with the latest drivers installed, Pentium 4 3 GHz, a 80-gig Samsung hard drive, 1784 MB of RAM, and an EMU 0404 PCI soundcard. The temperatures are super low, 35 degrees for the motherboard and 43 degrees centigrade for the hard drive typically.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions you may provide.
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