HP pavilion 510n lockup problem (wxp H)

[711782]

This Rig "was" running just fine, but lately it first started to lockup when on line then offline some time when I burn or backup large files to my backup HD or sometime for no reason at all it just lockup,the mouse is moving but it won't open anything cntl alt del key are useless no menu start etc etc,
The only way to logoff is the power button.
If I try to boot again within 5 min or so, the hd light is on and the UPS fans are working, but no beeps or Post just a black screen,
but if I try to boot within 15 min it will boot normally and things are seemingly back to normal and the Rig is performing as nothing has happened,
I first thought that is was the PSU so I changed it for a good used and more powerfull one, and I also installed a case fan,
since the factory didn't install one,
I also put a new cpu fan and reinstalled the cpu with artic silver paste.
I checked the rams (384 mb) for performance and the mem test passed,
all the cables are firmly in place (double checked it)
when I opened the case and inspected the mobo for defects bulging resistors etc. all seemed normal...Maybe the mobo or cpu is going south No?

 

[bcastner]

Use either Belarc Advisor or Everest Free to scan your system for all devices:

Belarc:

http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html

Everest:

http://www.lavalys.com/products/overview.php?pid=1&lang=en&pageid=1

Go to the websites of the major system devices:
. Network adapter
. Graphics Adapter
. firmware if possible for any optical device

And find and install any newer drivers avaiable.

Step #2:
While I doubt this is a RAM issue, do an overnight test of your system RAM. Either of these are suitable:

http://www.memtest86.com/#download0

http://oca.microsoft.com/en/windiag.asp

Step #3:
Check if a BIOS update has been done, and apply if so.

Step #4:
Apply Sevice Pack 2 for XP Home.

 

[garebo]

I would also advise, since you havent mentioned it, to do a full online scan at one of the relevant places, such as trend-micro has a good one. That would be in addition to your standard antivirus program.
Also, run the standard stuff like adaware, hijack this, spybot S&D, stinger, cwshredder, all of which you can get free using google.
I wouldnt be surprised if a full and complete checkup and deletion of sypware and other malware could fix you up.
If not, you could also try re-installing windows over itself.
Also check computer management\event viewer\system for any errors, google the number that you see, but only the error numbers, not all of the markers there. See if there is anything there that gives you any insight as to the problem.
good luck.


Good advice + great people = tek-tips

 

[711782]

bcastner if you read my post I did the mem test thing already belarc won't tell you or anyone else what's wrong with a PC or if there is any drivers problem I was using belarc 5 years ago I grant you it's a OK utility but not sophisticated enough the likes of Everest,
your suggestion of updating hardware drivers doesn't make sense since this is essentially a hardware problem as I see it,
one update hardware drivers only when it's needed for example if my dvd rom is not reading properly some movie or burnt stuff then install a firmware upgrade etc etc or if there is a sound problem or a graphic one then install a update, but here we are talking about HP older Proprietary stuff and there are limitations.
garebo this is not a virus issue for sure trust me! how do I know it it's because I i reimaged the sys from a clean install and it's still locking up, but thanks anyway!

 

[bcastner]

Last week I "repaired" an HP 540n with your exact symptoms. It was the SiS network adapter driver; the original release could not handle sustained UDP traffic without freezing the entire computer except the mouse cursor.

In the last month I "repaired" an HP Pavilion similar to the 5xxx series that had your startup problems. It was a bad optical drive that would randomly hold the IDE buss hostage.

 

[711782]

becastner there are lot's more reason of why a PC locks up as you of course know, this case seem to me is a bit different, as you know this rig has a onboard network adapter and it's not in use (not networked) and HP has no updates for it, you didn't specify how you fixed it,
I looked and dev man and all seem to be working fine,
don't forget that this is essentially a clean install since I installed a clean install image,
I intend to install a deferent optical drives (2) dvd reader and cd r-rw, and UPS and see what happens then, I'm betting on the faulty UPS,
just to let you know there is no startup problem here.
the Rig cold boot without a problem,and everything is "fine" until the sys in engaged in some active operations,the likes of opening up a optical disk or a program or backing up files, then it locks up,
this Rig has no reboot button, so it's a question of holding down the power button to turn it off,
if I boot up withing 5 min or so, the Hd activity light is on and the UPS fan and now the case fan is working but no GUI post or anything, just a black screen (no beeps)
but when I wait 15 min or more, the Rig boots up normally to my desktop without a problem,
also if there is no lockups I can reboot normally and without a problem.

 

[micker377]

Bill: Don't you love it when they ask a question - you give them an answer - and they argue about the answer you gave?

 

[bcastner]

micker377,

<<grin>> No comment.

 

[bcastner]

71182,

It might be a power supply issue. The HP Pavilion 5xx series uses a rather modest 240 Watt supply, and considering that power supplies are known failure points for systems, and you may have added power hungry devices, this is certainly a point of failure to be taken seriously.

I will tell you that this particular supply is difficult to find third-party replacements. Pull it from the machine and measure every single dimension against a possible replacement, including mounting points. Other than from HP, this is a particularly difficult power supply replacement. I did about two years ago find a fit from CompUSA, and likely the internet would yield other possibilities. But unless you feel like cutting sheet metal on the case, replacing this power supply is a search and non-trivial.

I do not do a lot of computer repairs, but in my practice I have had to deal with about ten of these 5xx boxes. If you are not a big user of P-2-P applications heavily dependent on UDP, then ignore the SiS driver upgrade for the network adapter. It resolved a big lockup as you describe under eMule/eDonkey for several users. SiS offers the updated drivers through their website.

The IDE buss high was being thrown by a CD Reader device from HP. This in particular caused the issue at startup. A firmware fix is available, and it resolved the issue.

In the main I moved XP Home installs to XP Pro, and this resolved all sorts of odd issues. Make sure you download if you take this path the XP Pro specific BIOS upgrades and software patches from HP. In particular, seemingly intractible issues with video drivers disappeared under Pro.

Which brings me to my first thought way above and my still current thinking: it is not necessarily true that if it is not broke, do not fix it. There are feature upgrades. But more importantly, you machine is broke. Hence your original question. I will not debate Belarc vs. Everest, both for your purposes are suitable to enumerate your devices, the device driver versions being used, and links to the web sites to obtain newer drivers.

One final note: you persistently above mention your "UPS"; if you are using one, you might consider contacting the manufacturer about replacing the battery. Most have an exchange program to handle this. If the UPS is over two years old you might consider the issue as being a case of bad MOVs within the UPS, or a marginal battery that is creating a low voltage situation on the UPS filtered outputs. (Very odd results can obtain with old powerstrip/surge protectors for the same reasons).

Best wishes,
Bill Castner

 

[garebo]

711782 - All i have to say is that i would listen to what Bill has to say. He took the time to put this down and the man obviously knows his stuff.

Also, when a person reads a thread and responds he usually has no clue as to the abilities of the thread-maker.
Therefore, i would suggest you thank people for their input and if you dont agree, fine, dont bother with their suggestions. But you are coming across as if we are all dummies, and that, sir, is not the case. At least with the likes of the names i see up here on this thread.



Good advice + great people = tek-tips

 

[garebo]

Forgot something in my rant. I wanted to point out, in addition, that Bill has obviously quoted from his direct experience with computers either very similar or exactly the same, that should count for something.
I guess, bottom line, its just what we seem to see as an attitude on your part.


Good advice + great people = tek-tips

 

[711782]

Thx guys at this point I'm ready to give up on this Rig and here is my reason.
First I thought that installing a more powerful PSU (500 w) would fix the problem, it didn't,
then I thought maybe fresh new ram could do it, it didn't still lock ups,
OK. Ok I said (not out-laud yet!) a fresh install on a good 40gb IBM 7200 8mb cache must do the job, well in the middle of the install it foroze. Now I know that the only way to fix this problem is the 12 gauge final solution,
a bit laud but it would permanently solve this nonsense.
I'm now certain that the Mobo ia gone south,
so since I like this case I'll just install a new mobo and be done with it.
I have a new boxed Asus A7V333-X 17 mhz and W2k, sitting in my storage room,
all I need to buy is the CPU and a 64Mb graphic card plus 512 ddr333 ram that I figured would set me back around $ 120

 

[711782]

This is a update to my Hp Pavilion 511n.After all it was a power unit problem,
the 250w Psu that I was replacing with the HP 190w one, was not strong enough to do the job,
so I went to a 400w unit and that did
it, no more freezes and now, the Rig is running fine for hours on end.
I had Photoshop open, playing a DVD movie, and M$ Word and some other stuff running and it held up....so far!