Random programs stop responding

Would someone be able to help me with my unstable system. I can't quite put my finger on the culprit of this problem... Generally speaking, various programs would stop responding for apparently no reason. The programs range from Photoshop, or graphics card interface (although Driver is fine), Host services, windows explorer, Internet Explorer, my anti-virus program, the list goes on which is making me think it is a hardware problem but everything checks out fine....

My PC is a self-build with all new parts. It seemed to be stable from first installation but became unstable after SP1 was installed.... This made me question if it was hardware or software.... I'm lost... I have re-installed a number of times (slowly adding programs one at a time to rule them out) and switched back to an IDE drive (from a new SATA HDD) and tried Vista Ultimate x64 with the same results.... Various programs randomly 'Stop responding'.... everything can work for hours before something stops or it could be straight away when Vista starts loading my startup group.

Can anyone help..... My System consists...

Vista x86 (also tried x64)
Motherboard = Gigabyte GA-MA770-DS3 (AMD Chipset)
CPU = AMD Phenom 8650 Triple-Core processor
Memory = 2GB Kingston Memory (KVR400X64C3AK2/2G)
GFX Card = ATI Radeon X1650
C: 1x IDE 120GB HDD
Other HDDs = 2x SATA 500GB HDD (1TB)
2x Canon Printers
Belkin Broadband Router
Trust Media Interface (internal drive bay mounted)

I have also tried stripping the whole system and re-seating the components and I have exhausted my options.

All the best
Matt

P.S. Seasons Greetings to everyone

Hi Matt,

Welcome to the forums, From your description I would also go for hardware,

You have already said but, again. All connections and Cpu to make sure it is seated properly not to much paste and no paste where it shouldn't be

I take it all drivers are up to date and installed.

You should make sure that you have the latest bios.

You should check that your power supply is good enough, I would guess that you need about 600watt

Then you need to check your ram, run a ram test

Still not fixed. If possible you then need to swap parts to see if you can find the culprit.

I hope this helps

Pooch

pooch said:

Hi Matt,

Welcome to the forums, From your description I would also go for hardware,

You have already said but, again. All connections and Cpu to make sure it is seated properly not to much paste and no paste where it shouldn't be

I take it all drivers are up to date and installed.

You should make sure that you have the latest bios.

You should check that your power supply is good enough, I would guess that you need about 600watt

Then you need to check your ram, run a ram test

Still not fixed. If possible you then need to swap parts to see if you can find the culprit.

I hope this helps

Pooch

Click to expand...

Hi Pooch, Thanks for getting back to me and for your suggestions. Yes, I removed everyting (Inc. CPU)... I've monitored running temperatures and they don't reach over 40c which I am comfortable with. I've updated to the latest bios from the motherboard's website.... but just typing this I thought about other device's firmware.... some of them may need a firmware update (HDD, CD Rom, memory card reader....), I'll check them tomorrow.
My PSU is a 650W but although I have conducted basic tests on memory, I have not done a burn-in test, I'll also do that tomorrow.
Failing that I may take your suggestion and start swaping out various components (where possible) to try to locate the fault. My only drawback of doing this is that I don't have replacements for some components (CPU, GFX card) as my system is a complete upgrade... my previous was a AGP with Sempron (x1) and this is a PEG with Phenom (x3). I will do a burn-in test on full memory (x2 1G) and then individually if a problem does show itself. I'll try 'Sandra' for the various tests as it has a good set of tools in it....

I'll let you know what I find and again... Thank you for your advice, it has given me a few options.....