PC crashing and I need to reboot

[JohnnyAlpha]

As of last week my PC started freezing on me. After around 30 seconds from booting up (and after the last program, whatever that was) loaded in the system, the computer froze up and I had to reboot. At first I thought that this might be a software/OS issue but after reinstalling XP the problem persisted. This time the computer does not crash after the 30 sec but whenever it feels like it.

My suspicion is that it might be RAM problem but I cannot be sure unless I make a change.

My question is. Is there some software for making general hardware diagnostics? Maybe something that will use all the resources of the PC till the fault springs up.

If not this, do you have any suggestions?

I also ran dxdiag and found no errors. To help you out I have included the following report of my system (part of)


------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 9/14/2003, 15:01:55
Machine name: JOHN
Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 1 (2600.xpsp2.030422-1633)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: MSI
System Model: MS-6593
BIOS: AMIINT - 10
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) XP 2000+, MMX, 3DNow, ~1670MHz
Memory: 256MB RAM
Page File: 181MB used, 436MB available
Primary File System: n/a
DirectX Version: DirectX 8.1 (4.08.01.0810)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 5.01.2600.1106 32bit Unicode

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: NVIDIA GeForce4 MX 440
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce4 MX 440
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Device ID: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0171&SUBSYS_00000000&REV_A3
Display Memory: 32.0 MB
Current Mode: 1024 x 768 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor: Default Monitor
Monitor Max Res:
Driver Name: nv4_disp.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.10.4523 (English)
DDI Version: 8 (or higher)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 7/28/2003 15:19:00, 3902603 bytes
Driver Signed: Yes
WHQL Date Stamp: n/a
VDD:
Mini VDD: nv4_mini.sys
Mini VDD Date: 7/28/2003 15:19:00, 1341339 bytes
Device Identifier: {D7B71E3E-4231-11CF-1B72-0A2002C2CB35}
Vendor ID: 0x10DE
Device ID: 0x0171
SubSys ID: 0x00000000
Revision ID: 0x00A3
Registry: OK
DDraw Status: Enabled
D3D Status: Enabled
AGP Status: Enabled
DDraw Test Result:
D3D7 Test Result:
D3D8 Test Result:

-------------
Sound Devices
-------------
Description: Avance AC97 Audio
Device ID: PCI\VEN_1106&DEV_3059&SUBSYS_59301462&REV_50
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Type: WDM
Driver Name: ALCXWDM.SYS
Driver Version: 5.10.00.3960 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Signed: Yes
Date and Size: 8/2/2002 12:10:44, 659228 bytes
Other Files:
Driver Provider: Avance Logic, Inc.
HW Accel Level: Full
Registry: OK

 

[bcastner]

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

-or-

http://www.simmtester.com/PAGE/products/doc/docinfo.asp

 

[bcastner]

Most of the information you need should be in the Event logs.

Start, run, eventvwr.msc

 

[JohnnyAlpha]

Thanks !!! I still have to get working on the stuff you sent me but I'm sure that the sites and the command will help me figure out what is going on.

John