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{{ OT }} Computerj (PC) Troubles with PCI Buss

I have a PC that was running okay, but developed a problem where the mouse locks up -- stops moving -- and the entire rest of the computer freezes at the same time. In the grand scheme of chicken-and-egg, I don't know that the computer freezes and the mouse stops moving, or the mouse stops and the computer freezes. I only know that the computer has stopped because the mouse no longer responds.

I have to physically shut the computer off by holding the power switch.

After many hours of checking, I discovered that if I remove the wireless adaptor, the computer works properly for days on end. When I install the wireless adaptor, the computer will lock up within a few minutes.

I'm certain that I have a hardware problem, and I think I have a power supply issue on my hands. The wireless adaptor is a PCI bus device, and I'm thinking the bus power supply is teetering on the brink of collapse, and the adaptor pushes it over the edge.

The motherboard is based on Celeron architecture, I forget the clock speed but 900 MHz sticks in my head.

This machine worked for years without ever giving me a problem. I installed the wireless adaptor about two years ago and was a broadband bandit for more than a year before I broke down and bought fiber optic service for my internet access. In the past ten days, I bought a new Core-2 Intel something-or-other, and was going to sell the Celeron to my brother in law. While removing my files, the mouse started acting up, and I jumped through all kinds of hoops trying to get the machine to work, I finally bought another Core 2 something-or-other for my BIL.

I found that the Celeron machine now works flawlessly for days and days, but I did not realize the wireless adaptor was a key. I installed a new wireless adaptor -- different from the original one -- and the problems began again within minutes. Sometimes the machine will lock up on the Desktop while booting, other times it will boot okay but lock up a while later. In any case, it always locks up in less than about 20 minutes. The PC is completely stripped right now, it has a keyboard, mouse, and monitor only. No printer or any other peripheral, including CD drive or 3.5" floppy. From the view of the power supply, there is only a motherboard, mouse, keyboard, and monitor.

When the wireless adaptor is installed into any of the 3 PCI ports, the computer locks up.

Is this a power supply issue?

Reply to
Jeff Strickland
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It sounds like an IRQ problem. The other PCI devices in your machine do not like the wireless adapter. Have you also added any other PCI cards, new OR replacements, to your box recently? Also check the wireless adapter manufacturer's site for updated drivers which may address the issue.

When the box locks up, can you get any reaction from the Windows key on your keyboard?

Kinda tough diagnosing remotely. That's all I can think of right now.

Reply to
witfal

Do you have driver software for the wireless device?

Reply to
dbu.,

One other possibility, though remote: Try disabling the wired network connection before a lock-up. If it still does it, I'd guess your original theory looks better; a dying bus on the motherboard, most likely a heat-sensitive component.

New MBs are pretty cheap now if you don't want the lastest and greatest. Just re-use the rest and do a clean re-install of WinBlows.

Reply to
witfal

Possibly:

o Interference from another IR or other wireless-style source

o Firewall/router not placed at the end of the chain to internet connection

o IRQ conflicts, which can easily be brought on by:

o Power fluctuations

I'm having this same problem, due to power fluctuations in my area due to downed lines and the cleanup efforts. IF your power backup/surge protector goes off, there should be a log of when and why it shut down or reacted. Can't say where that log file is as I don't do Windoze.

PF

Reply to
Pink Freud

You mean the wireless doesn't run, the computer otherwise works fine?

Reply to
dbu.,

I'm sure you've run Ad-aware for a malicious PIN harvester, that's usually the reason for the conflict:

formatting link
I had to give up on a Problem like yours after I installed all theWindows XP Pro upgrades, Explorer 7, that required a new, longer passwordfor my Linksys Router. By the time I figured that out, a hacker had lock inuse the wireless from: 169.254.106.67 which jammed my Hughes.net andmachine. So, I just turn it off with that button we have on the front, andused my network cable for that machine. If that's your problem just doubleclick on the wireless icon in your tray, and there will be the strangenumbers, that have noting to do with your connections. God Bless America, Bill O|||||||Omailto: snipped-for-privacy@aol.com
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"Jeff Strickland" wrote in message news:DY3ui.18645$ug3.17126@trnddc06...

Reply to
L.W. (Bill) Hughes III

Could be a windows update bit you and a driver is actually hosing up your system. Wouldn't be the first time.

I'd wade through removing all the drivers and reinstalling them.

Also check the crash log. IIRC it's here. C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Microsoft\Dr Watson

Happy bug hunting. :/

Reply to
DougW

Hey Dork, you've had to give up on nearly everything you've ever tried to do.

And if you don't just wussy away from the problem, you spend your time trying to find someone to blame it on.

Give up again, Cooyon. You don't belong anywhere, especially Earth.

Pray that your g0d will send you an URL from heaven.....

Reply to
Pink Freud

Get a new schtick.

You're boring as hell.

Reply to
Pink Freud

I wonder if the old drivers are still in the computer or do the new ones overwrite the old?

I'm not so sure it's hardware. If it were me I'd be looking at SW/driver before replacing an otherwise good running machine.

Aren't computers fun...GL

Reply to
dbu.,

I told you he would be your Buddy, now send him a Goat, and explain how to incorporate those 5 firewall's on one machine. Even I would be interested in that Goatman!

Recipe for a Psychopath:

Emotional & Interpersonal Glib & Superficial Egocentric & Grandiose Lack of Remorse or Guilt Lack of Empathy Deceitful & Manipulative Shallow Emotions Social Deviance Impulsive Poor Behavior Controls Need for Excitement Lack of Responsibility Early Behavior Problems Adult Antisocial Behavior

This is your life,

L.W. "Cooyon Billy" Goatman-Hughes III

Reply to
24Bit®

What is the OS, and what kind of machine, and everything else? Can you check for conflicts?

Reply to
Moe

You may not have a cable plugged in, but I'll wager you've got an active connection. Check it via the Control Panel's icon.

I doubt it. When they go, as a rule they go big. But at least your MBR has that code successfully entered. That'll do fine if it finds its way to another MB. Remember, even if the install is fresh, you'll need to do it again with another MB if you choose to go that way.

Reply to
witfal

Have you gone into the BIOS and disabled the on-board NIC? My machine here locks when I install an Attache 'thumb drive', unless I remove my Trackball and use an optical mouse.

My previous machine would lock up when the On-Board NIC was enabled. Damn thing never worked, so when I installed a 3Com card NIC it would freeze up unless the On-Board was disabled.

Reply to
Hachiroku $B%O%A%m%/(B

Jeff, power supplies are real cheap, I think you said that too. I have two or three lying around as spares, just in case. I don't think it will fix it, but you never know until you swap it out.

I like a recent Windows upgrade as another possible culprit, or the software that comes with the wireless card.

Are the CPU fan and the one in the power supply turning? I had one just stop once. I spotted it before anything else failed.

Cheers,

Earle

Reply to
Earle Horton

Jeff, is the fan on the power supply running? If the fan locks up, the power supply will overheat causing the lock ups you describe, but there are other things as well. I'd check the fan, easy stuff first.

Spdloader

Reply to
Spdloader

Yeah, I caught that in a different post. Sorry.

At this point, my money is on your original guess: A dying PCI bus, on the MB.

Reply to
witfal

It doesn't have a built-in NIC? Most new MoBos and machines have a NIC already installed, and the connection is near the USB ports as a rule.

I never liked them either, and the first MoBo I bought that had one confirmed my suspicions...

Reply to
Hachiroku $B%O%A%m%/(B

Have all your drivers ready. Power down the system and switch the positions of all the PCI cards. This will case a driver/IRQ shuffle and _might_ solve your problem.

Reply to
Scott in Baltimore

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