I strongly suspect that it is your previous RAID setup that
might be at the heart of this issue, Note how I have been
preaching about hard drive utilities all along. Double check
that you have followed the suggested removal method. Did
you reformat and re-install? Be sure to test with only one
drive running as well.
Yes please let me know how it goes.....
"MoosieAZ" <MoosieAZ@xxxxxx> wrote in message news
6C2773C-F507-491D-B214-9ED9953F4C54@xxxxxx
Quote:
> Thanks for your extensive reply. I'll be conducting the memory test you
> suggest later today, and I'll check the Seagate site for any clues there.
> I've already ended many of the non-critical processes from TM and will
> monitor that throughout the day today.
>
> I did have a RAID 1 setup, but I reverted to 'IDE' mode [bios] because of
> the extensive verify time with each machine lock-up. The two Seagate 320s
> are running independently since Saturday.
>
> I'll keep you posted, thanks again.
>
> "Spirit" wrote:
> Quote:
>> Memory tests will NOT check what I suggested.... the only way
>> is as I described. Use one stick then the other and then try
>> reversing their order. It only takes a very subtle difference
>> in memory speed to create a condition such as you have.
>>
>> After the above, use Task Manager to Close as many programs
>> as you can and then see if the problem continues. If you close
>> most and the problem does stop use Defender and MSCONFIG
>> to vary what loads and maybe you can find what if anything is
>> causing your conflict. The reason you do the others first is that
>> such an issue can be caused by one problem and aggravated
>> by others.
>>
>> Please realize that even the most experienced system makers
>> occasionally make a slight error that causes problems. Double
>> and triple check your hard drive maker's site to absolutely
>> ensure that they do not recommend some sort of utility be
>> run, sometimes its a one time event until the next format. With
>> super size disks these are not as uncommon as you might think
>> and often they are harder to access than is reasonable. One
>> indicator, though not 100% guarantee, is if the drives show
>> a different formatted capacity than is normally expected.
>>
>> Another test is to run Sandra or other bench marks to compare
>> the results to see if the drives are as responsive as they should
>> be. Often such tests will do a quick or an extensive test, please
>> run the extensive versions.
>>
>> Another real possibility, as crazy as this sounds, is to double
>> check all cable connections. Actually remove them and then
>> reconnect. Do not just try to snug them up. Another test is
>> to remove all the hardware you can, such as a modem, the
>> CD, DVD, 2nd hard disk (if possible) and so on and then
>> try to see if the problem still exists. Do you by chance have
>> a RAID setup?
>>
>> One of the problems in trying to suggest what you should do
>> and in what order is I can't see the results of any methods as
>> you do them. With experience comes the ability to "occasionally"
>> hit on the right fix because of some subtle results of what might
>> be considered a waste of effort test.
>>
>> KISS = Keep it Simple Stupid is the creedo of a modern
>> troubleshooter. Meaning try to reduce the complexity to
>> the simplest possible and start from there. Of course much
>> easier to say than actually do.
>>
>> "MoosieAZ" <MoosieAZ@xxxxxx> wrote in message newsE1925FB-C909-4304-8EA7-39E7813133FA@xxxxxx Quote:
>> > As I've stated several times, all drivers are current. MS updates have been
>> > applied [yes, including the 2 you mentioned]. I just completed a second
>> > 3-hours of memory diagnostics with the latest version of memtest86+ - no
>> > errors. Since I was the system maker I can attest that no 'disk drive
>> > utilities' linger. Further, the system will freeze with no discernable disk
>> > activity.
>> >
>> > As I also mentioned, I have eliminated USB devices because I suspected there
>> > might be a connection. However, BIOS still has Legacy support enabled, so
>> > I'll change that.
>> >
>> > The following is unclear: "A simple method to test this is to CLOSE all you
>> > can in Task Manager and then check to see if still there. (CTRL + ALT + DEL)"
>> > - if what is still there?
>> >
>> >
>> > "Spirit" wrote:
>> >
>> >> Yes I have a few suggestions and unless your drivers are totally
>> >> up to date you are wasting both our times. The reason I first wanted
>> >> to be sure you had actually updates all drivers is that with both a
>> >> new system and a new OS there are just too many variables and you
>> >> have to start cutting them out it a logical sequence. Double check to
>> >> ensure there are NO hard drive utilities left off by system maker,
>> >> this happens often with new drives and one symptom is hangs when
>> >> running disk intensive programs.
>> >>
>> >> Have you installed these updates that improves the compatibility and
>> >> reliability of Windows Vista
>> >>
>> >> http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=938979
>> >>
>> >> http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=938194
>> >>
>> >> The most common reason for the problem you describe are Mouse and
>> >> Video Drivers with hard disk drivers/utilities being a close third.
>> >>
>> >> Go into your BIOS and turn OFF USB Legacy Support. You
>> >> don't need this unless you have some older USB devices. Even
>> >> if you do have some try it as test.
>> >>
>> >> There is always a possibity that you have a startup or other running
>> >> programs that are in conflict and causing the issue.
>> >>
>> >> Startup Programs - Enable / Disable - Windows Defender - MSCONFIG
>> >> Startup Programs - Enable or Disable
>> >>
>> >> A simple method to test this is to CLOSE all you can in Task Manager and
>> >> then check to see if still there. (CTRL + ALT + DEL)
>> >>
>> >> How to troubleshoot Video Issues in Office
>> >> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/907349/en-us
>> >>
>> >> To eliminate another real possibilty try using only 1/2 your
>> >> RAM at a time. If they both work put the RAM back in
>> >> in the REVERSE manner...... slot 1 in slot 2 and so on.
>> >> This will work if the cause was one stick is slower than
>> >> the other (even if both are rated same).
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> "MoosieAZ" <MoosieAZ@xxxxxx> wrote in message news:7321C3BB-CE79-4105-9D25-830CDE11959A@xxxxxx
>> >> > I'm not 100% certain of your point. Since 95% of my new custom machine is
>> >> > Intel, yes, I updated the system with all the most current drivers from
>> >> > Intel. I also updated the ATI driver with the latest from ATI. If it isn't
>> >> > Intel or ATI, it came from MS, which is also up to date.
>> >> >
>> >> > Do you have specific suggestions, or are you just baiting. If its the
>> >> > former, I'm all ears; otherwise, please don't waste my time.
>> >> >
>> >> > "Spirit" wrote:
>> >> >
>> >> >> So you have totally updated ALL your drivers? or just those
>> >> >> easy to find?
>> >> >>
>> >> >> "MoosieAZ" <MoosieAZ@xxxxxx> wrote in message news:179EE892-632B-445D-A684-FB6037AE4204@xxxxxx
>> >> >> > Thanks Spirit, I've already made those rounds.
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> > I did find one mouse related hotfix but it is not a very close match.
>> >> >> > Besides it is a pita to obtain hotfixes from Microsoft.
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> > "Spirit" wrote:
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> >> Go to various maker's site and update all the drivers and utilities.
>> >> >> >> Many Video and BT drivers have been updated in the last
>> >> >> >> few weeks.
>> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> If still an issue check the Microsoft Knowledge Base as there
>> >> >> >> are possible hotfix's that might apply.
>> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> "MoosieAZ" <MoosieAZ@xxxxxx> wrote in message news:A343476D-0010-4216-848F-61CEF05E6B53@xxxxxx
>> >> >> >> >I just posted this in the general area which may have been a mistake, so
>> >> >> >> > please accept my apology in advance; I'm relatively new at this posting stuff.
>> >> >> >> >
>> >> >> >> > My environment is Vista Ultimate running on an Intel D975XBX2 motherboard
>> >> >> >> > with an E6600 Core 2 Duo processor and 2GB of DDR2-PC6400 [800] memory; the
>> >> >> >> > graphics card is an ATI Radeon X1950 Pro-512MB. The situation is that the
>> >> >> >> > machine will freeze at different times [requiring a hard shutdown] most
>> >> >> >> > noticeably when I have double clicked on something. At first I suspected my
>> >> >> >> > Microsoft Desktop Elite mouse/keyboard for Bluetooth because the mouse would
>> >> >> >> > move erratically at times. I eliminated the Bluetooth devices [and dongle]
>> >> >> >> > and switched to a PS/2 keyboard and a USB wheel mouse.
>> >> >> >> >
>> >> >> >> > At first the problem seemed to go away, but that was misleading; it has
>> >> >> >> > returned with a vengeance. Just opening Outlook 2003 and clicking to open an
>> >> >> >> > email can often trigger the freeze. I have now eliminated all USB devices by
>> >> >> >> > installing a reliable PS/2 mouse. It has now been two hours without a
>> >> >> >> > lock-up.
>> >> >> >> >
>> >> >> >> > Yes, I have already installed the most current Intel BIOS and my Vista
>> >> >> >> > installation is current with updates, including the reliability / performance
>> >> >> >> > fixes released two weeks ago. Yes, I run an up-to-date CA A/V application as
>> >> >> >> > well as CounterSpy, and have run several different online scans without any
>> >> >> >> > malware being discovered.
>> >> >> >> >
>> >> >> >> > I certainly suspect driver involvement, especially the USB drivers, but I am
>> >> >> >> > uncertain how to proceed, or how to diagnose this problem any further. Any
>> >> >> >> > help from the driver and/or Intel experts out there will be most greatly
>> >> >> >> > appreciated.
>> >> >> >> >
>> >> >> >> > Thanks in advance.
>> >> >> >>
>> >> >>
>> >> >>