Problem with C90s v.lockups

My C90s will completely lockup after 1-10 minutes after booting. I first noticed the problem when i would unplug the computer from the adapter, it would lockup and become completely unresponsive. I would have to hard stop and sometimes remove the battery in order to restart. The problem has become progressively worse, now the computer will lockup within 2 minutes after windows has finished booting while on battery or AC power.

winXP
2.4 Ghz
2 gig ram
newest BIOS
using Nvidia drivers from Asus.com
90w power adapter

What I have tried so far:
-reinstalled video drivers
-virus scan
-tested ram with Memtest86+
-monitored GPU/CPU temps in the time before a crash
-monitored Task Manager in time before a crash

Could it be the power adapter? I have noticed that it is hotter than it used to be while in use and I know that many C90s owners replace it with the 120w.

Anyone have any idea whats wrong?

 

Sounds like your heatsink on the CPU might not be properly installed. The CPU is fried now, that's why the problem is getting worst. Not 100% sure, but I've ween this in home build PCs.

 

I didn't install the CPU and have not removed/replaced it and the computer has been working flawlessly since I purchased it from GenTech around last July (IIRC). Could it have been jarred loose?

 

Also, I booted into Safe Mode and it hasn't crashed yet. So maybe there is a driver corrupted?

 

Safe mode thing is a big one, should of mentioned that earlier, but still think its the CPU though. Seen something that's similar way to many times.

I would say give Ken a call.

 

If these temps:

do not shoot up, I have doubts that it's a heatsink problem.

If you have no idea if and what software might be causing this -- maybe it's a good idea to do a clean Win install, and install only essential software first. The problem should go away then. Then, install things with care, a few at a time, and watch the computer's behavior.

 

They did not shoot up.

Good advice. I think I will go this route.

 

That's just the thing, a hard lock is a hard thing to do without a BSOD. It means the CPU choked.

A hard lock is when even the mouse freezes (something that is given very high CPU priority), the computer does not BSOD and the only way to power it down is to kill the power. The only 2 things that can cause a hardlock are CPU related or mobo issue, though most mobo issues will lead to a BSOD. This was one of the very first things I learned with my 100Mhz 486 back in the day and something I should of caught earlier in a system that came into the shop, but was discovered a bit to late (CPU fried), still holds mostly true today (90% of the time). I have a special hate for hard locks.

Since the mouse is given such a high priority, if the mouse stutters you know that your CPU is working nice and hard. Not a bad thing, but you know your CPU is being used.

 

On one of the lockups it quickly flashed a BSOD then automatically rebooted. But, in most cases I had to press and hold the power button and/or remove the battery.

When the problem first manifested the computer would not even enter POST and i wouldn't even get to the BIOS screen. Eventually when i would get to BIOS an error something along the lines of "Overclocking failed. press f1 to use default values..." I would hit f1 and then the computer would boot.

This is why i originally thought there was something wrong with TurboGear. So i reinstalled it and the ATKDrv Util.

With the computer running in SafeMode without crash, would that rule out hardware failure? Or should i not speak too soon?

Also, I stated in an above post that i was running the newest BIOS (902) but i didn't notice until a few minutes ago there is a new one (1002).

 

I could not find a number, just an email address for their customer service. I emailed them and never got a response.

 

I didn't try safe mode until after I made the first post. Must have been a brain fart

 

PM GentechPC here on the forum.

 

From the more detailed descriptions it does smell of a hardware issue (specifically the bootup problems after the shutdowns). Maybe some hardware that is being left unused in safe mode.

No real good way to tell with these kinds of hard locks (if that's their name), unfortunately. I think if you have the time, you could still try the Win reinstall. Just to get eliminate the possibility of software, at least.

I also used to get this kind of lockups on the W7Sg, 4 or 5 times a week. I reinstalled (in SATA Enhanced mode and with newer video drivers -- that's the only difference) and now they have gone away. So, sometimes they can be caused by software.

But, as I said, it's difficult to tell or to give any guarantees.