Stability on WinXP, Mobo or Software?

[navi]

I am a experienced PC builder and up until recently have had no real troubles. My system (Asus A7N8X, XP2100, winXP, 512DDR 2100) crashed after about four weeks of use and I could not get it to reboot. I tried to re-format with a clean hard drive and that worked for another week, but then it did the same thing. I was so fustrated I took it to a tech and they said it was the motherboard, so I bought a new mobo (same ASUS board) and upgraded processor (XP2500 Barton). It was great for about two more weeks and did the same thing again. I am not overclocking, and have swapped everything but my memory. Once it crahes it will not boot to bios or anything, even if no HD is connected. It will however if I reformat the drive on a diff. computer. I thought it had to be my version of winXP, but I have used it perfectly on my last 4 systems and tested it on my friends new P4 2.4. I have tried to clear the cmos, even UN-mounted the board to see if it was grounding.

I am terribly fustrated and would love for some help or suggestions. I've spent way to much time with this for no success.

THANK YOU SOOO MUCH! I'm going crazy over this.

 

[davemar14]

What kind of memory are you using? Also at what speed? I have the Asus A7N8X Deluxe with 512 MB of Corsair DDR400. I had to manually set the memory timings. Here is my whole system: <A HREF="http://www16.brinkster.com/davemar14/main" target="_new">http://www16.brinkster.com/davemar14/main</A>

 

[navi]

I am still using my old Crucial PC2100 512MB (2 x 256). I was saving to get some new memory for DDR400, but having to buy a new mobo set me back. I didn't adjust any of my memory settings, they all seemed correct. Could this be part of my problem? Is it Ok to use my PC2100 on this board? I couldn't find anywhere that said I shouldn't.

 

[navi]

UPDATE: I have everything running after I updated the bios, but things still seem off. Windows update does not offer any downloads and when I shutdown, I get a blue screen, which then reboots my system and I have to power button it off. Still worried to start working on it if it's gonna be unreliable.

 

[endyen]

The blue screen sounds like a windows shutdown error. Do you have service pack 1? It was supposed to fix this. You may have to do a reload to get rid of the error. As far as your ram goes I have heard of issues with crucial on the a7n boards. You may be ok if you up the ram voltage a little. Good luck.

 

[rcj187]

its your ram im almost certain. i have the same board and ive noticed it seems very picky about ram in dual channel mode. try with just one stick in and see if it cures your problems.

 

[davemar14]

I think I found your problem. When you had your Athlon XP 2100+ that had a 266 MHz. Frontside Bus. Now that you have an Athlon XP 2500+ that runs on a 333 MHz. Frontside Bus. In order for the RAM and CPU to work properly you will need to run DDR 333 (2700) RAM.