HELP NEEDED > Computer Locking Up, Slowing Down, BSOD ( 1 Views )

Hi Guys,

First of all, I am not a noob. I would consider myself a fairly advanced computer geek. I build computers regularly and would consider myself an somewhat advanced diagnostician when it comes to computer problems. But the problem I am having is stumping me.

I have a Dell 400SC Server repurposed as a workstation. I've had it for about 3 years now. Current stripped down specs are: 2.8 GHz CPU, 120 GB HDD, 1 GB PC3200 RAM, Generic Video Card, Modem, DVD-R Drive running on Windows 2000 SP4.

About two days ago, the computer started locking up in regular use. I had just installed Norton Systemworks 2005 and it was starting to lock up. I uninstalled Systemworks and it didn't help any.

Originally I had this machine loaded down with a 6600 GT Video card, PVR-tuner card, two modems, two HDDs (120 and 200 GB), and DVD-R. The Dell 400SC uses a 250 Watt PSU, so I figured it was having problems because of a weak PSU. I replaced it with a Fortron 350 Watt model and it worked fine for a day.

However, it started acting up again. I got fed up and stripped everything from the machine. I brought it down to the least power state with the bare minimum accessories (generic 2 mb PCI video, Modem, DVD-R) so as to rule out PSU inadequacy issues. That didn't help.

I checked for viruses, trojans, spyware, etc. ad nauseum - no problems.

During one change up, when I rebooted, I got a BOOT_DEVICE_INACCESSIBLE BSOD, so I ended up using the Windows 2000 disk to fix the Windows install. That got rid of the BSOD, but still am having problems. I ran chkdsk /r to fix any corrupt indexes, etc.

So the problem I have now is that the computer will boot. When I run some programs, the little hour-glass will come on, but the programs won't run. I'll boot up Firefox, Word, and Adobe Acrobat and one of those will come up. But then everything starts to slow down and execution becomes delayed or very hesitant.

However, if I hit CTRL-ALT-DEL and ask the computer to restart, it will bring me back to the desktop and everything will work fine. The computer won't reboot, but I can then use most of my applications normally.

Strange huh? Oh yeah, I've already checked all the cables to make sure they are seated properly, updated the BIOS, etc.

I figure it is one of the following in order of most likely to least likely:

1. The HDD is going bad and this is its way of letting me know - but I don't hear any of the telltale signs like clicking noises, etc.
2. RAM problems.
3. Overheating (I doubt it, since the internal temps don't get much higher than 50C if Folding@Home is not running)
4. Power supply problems???
5. Mobo is dieing on me.
6. Some strange new unknown virus is killing my machine.

Please help.

Pradeep

(by terör, Tunisia)

I vote numbers 1 or 5.

(barýþ , Canada)

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhyYouLoveMe

I vote numbers 1 or 5.

I agree. Sounds like bad sectors/corruption on the HDD (as opposed to mechanical failure which would come with clicking and such), or a dying mobo. Try a different HDD to narrow it down, if you can.

(ozgur, Maldives)

Thanks guys for your quick feedback. Yeah, I am thinking it may be the HDD as well. Oh how I dread rebuilding my OS/apps from scratch.

Pradeep

(aaaaaaaaa, Estonia)

Quote:

Originally Posted by pradeep1

Thanks guys for your quick feedback. Yeah, I am thinking it may be the HDD as well. Oh how I dread rebuilding my OS/apps from scratch.

Pradeep

Ain't THAT the truth. :( I wish you all the best.

(gamze, Lithuania)

What would happen if I ghost this entire partition to another similar drive. You guys think the problems will come across on the other drive as well? I am trying to avoid having to rebuild my system from scratch.

(þennur, Sierra Leone)

On another forum, someone suggested I use Speedfan to read and my HDD's S.M.A.R.T. parameters. I did that and it came up normal....all parameters were within acceptable bounds. I have a Samsung Spinpoint SP1213N, so I guess I'll try Samsung' s HDUTIL next and see what that tells me.

(ozgur, Bhutan)

Quote:

Originally Posted by pradeep1

What would happen if I ghost this entire partition to another similar drive. You guys think the problems will come across on the other drive as well? I am trying to avoid having to rebuild my system from scratch.

Maybe, maybe not but it sounds like to me you've got a hardware problem and not a software one. If that's the case then ghosting the data to a known good HDD won't create an issue. (unless the original HDD screws up during the ghost process)

(PINAR, Togo)

Okay, here's what I have so far: Speedfan read the SMART parameters and it says that my Samsung HDD is fine. Samsung's own diagnostic tools did a thorough surface scan and it says that my drive is 100%. Memtest ran for an hour with no memory problems. Yet I still have slowdowns. One thing I did notice...it only slows down when I run IE and Windows Explorer. Every other program seems to work fine, except IE and Windows Explorer.

I am starting to lean my diagnosis to virus maybe?

Thoughts please,

Pradeep

(esin, Svalbard and Jan Mayen)

Did you try a thorough scandisk? Perhaps it is a strange, un-detected virus. You could try installing a different AV program to see if it catches something.

(harun, Lithuania)

I figured it out. I was an infection of Blackbox.class trojan infection and a failed uninstall of Norton Systemworks that was hosing my system. Of course, NAV would not have caught the trojan because it was hosed. AVG Antivirus and McAfee confirmed the infection and problem is solved without full computer OS/app rebuild.

Thank you all for your help.

Pradeep

p.s. One benefit, I did a very thorough back of all my data, which I had neglected these past few months.

(aaaaa, Tunisia)

Glad you found the problem. Kinda makes your day, doesn't it? :D

(birkan, Djibouti)

Sure does. :)

(AYDIN, Armenia)

HELP NEEDED > Computer Locking Up, Slowing Down, BSOD ( 1 Views )

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