Intermitten Lockups

[Gloryhound]

2 Identicle systems
Specs are as follows
Intel P4 3 ghz
512 mb DDR 400Mhz
Abit AG-72 Mainboard
Seagate 40GB IDE
Windows xp pro
LG CDROM
Peripherals
15" TTX LCD touch screen
1 cash drawer
1 epson TMT 88III Thermal Printer
1 epson DM-D805 Pole Display
MS7120 Orbit scanner.

Systems lock hard about once a day. There is no apparent hardware problems the units are well ventilated and clean. Each is powered by an MGE Pulsar Ellipse 500 UPS.
Again each system locks approximately once per day, never the same time and always requires a Hard boot. Also checking with software vendor.

 

[Gloryhound]

<Addition>
I suspect it is perhaps a driver problem in windows. I'm hoping someone here might be able to shed some light on this. Thanks.

 

[linney]

Are these two machines communicating with one another in any way on a Network?

xp freeze troubleshooting
thread779-935320

To get further information about the error look in your Event viewer.

Look in the System or Application folder. You can get to the Event Viewer via right click My Computer icon and select Manage.

Any errors logged in the Event Viewer can be expanded by double clicking on the error line.

Take any event error I.D. number and search for it on these sites.

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/tr.../prodtechnol/winxppro/support/EE_winxppro.asp

http://www.eventid.net/events.asp

If the error occurred after installing a device driver or application, try using Safe Mode and removing the driver or program.

To check your RAM.

http://www.memtest86.com/

http://oca.microsoft.com/en/windiag.asp

To check your Hard Drive.

The drive manufacturer will have free diagnostic software to check your drive for problems.

You can also load the Recovery Console and run ChkDsk /r to check for problems.

HOW TO: Install and Use the Recovery Console for Windows XP (Q307654)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q307/6/54.asp

To check your drivers.

HOW TO: Verify Unsigned Device Drivers in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q308/5/14.asp

To check conflicting software.

310353 - How to Perform a Clean Boot in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;310353&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

316434 - HOW TO: Perform Advanced Clean-Boot Troubleshooting in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;316434&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

310560 - How to Troubleshoot By Using the Msconfig Utility in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;310560&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

Removing adware & spyware
faq608-4650

Will check your computer for spyware and adware.



To checkout unnecessary services you are running.

http://www.blkviper.com/WinXP/servicecfg.htm

(might be under construction and still unavailable)

See if you have any services that are flagging as "Starting" but not actually running.


Some general things to try.

See if System Restore will get you back to a restore point before your problem with Windows.

Try Safe Mode (Do you have this problem in Safe Mode?).

Try running ChkDsk to check your drive for errors. Right click your Drive icon/ Properties/ Tools/ Error Checking.

Run the System File Checker program from the Run Box by typing.....Sfc /Scannow in it and have your XP CD handy.

If they don't work you could try repairing windows itself by running it over itself. You will lose all your windows updates but your files will be untouched.

How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade (Reinstallation) of Windows XP (Q315341)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q315/3/41.asp

 

[Gloryhound]

Found the problem. Apparently the SiS chipsets don't play ball with win XP 100% of the time. This is compounded by the fact that the software in use also has issues with SiS chipsets.

Thanks for your excellent advice.