OK, I have to admit that I am kind of embarrassed about having to ask for help since I am a software programmer, but I am stumped. I have a decent knowledge of hardware, but I am at a loss at this point.

Machine: AMD 566
ASUS Motherboard
1 64 Mb DIMM
IBM 6.2 Gb EIDE Harddrive
Matrox Millenium 2 PCI Graphics Card
Acer 2x CD-RW Burner
48x Toshiba CD-ROM
Windows 98 SE

Symptom: Machine hangs on you, cannot move mouse pointer, no response to Ctrl-Alt-Delete (The Three Fingered Salute!). Only way is to use hardware reset.

I can consistently produce the problem when I am debugging code in Delphi (programming language). When I attempt to step through the code it hangs. Have removed/re-installed Delphi with no help. Can also crash it with IE and Media Player (6.x) running simultaneously sometimes. Have also had problems with burning CDs...sometimes works flawlessly, sometime I get buffer underrun errors.

My suspicion is either the harddrive or the video card is to blame. Both were moved from my old machine that experienced similar problems. Right now I am thinking HD because of the CD burning problems and the fact it has a bad sector. Plus I had another IBM HD crap out on me

Any thoughts? THanks

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Brian

1970 Chevelle Malibu

Sasquatch's Webpage (http://www.lanset.com/chevyman70/)

Brian -
I would first try a few little "Windows" related things. Go to Control Panel and open the System Icon. Click on the Performance tab and check the percentage of System Resources available. If it's below about 65%, Windows lock-ups are possible. To raise that level you can go to Start / Run and type in "msconfig" (without the quotes) and click on Enter. Click the Start Up tab and look at the program you are opening automatically at boot-up. Carefully close by unchecking those programs that you definitely know you do not need to open for normal operations.

Next, I would check if there are any "corrupted" Windows files. I offhand cannot remember the Windows utility that will check for them, but you can do a search and find it.

I would also search the Microsoft "Knowledge Database" for other suggestions. Only when these possibilities are eliminated would I consider digging into the hardware.

Good luck.

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Bob McCormick
69 Malibu project

1. Run the system file checker - SFC. go to Start ----------> Run -----------> type SFC -----------> Enter

2. Run the IE repair tool - Start --------> Settings ----------> Control Panel ----------> Add/Remove Programs -----------> Find IE -------> select Add/Remove -------> select repair -----------> hit Enter

If those don't work, these 2 forums willl be of assistance: http://suggestafix.com/ and http://www.virtualdr.com/ http://www.chevelles.com/forum/smile.gif.

I would bet either your CPU fan has taken a dump, or you have some ElCheapo ram in it?

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350 TBI EFI 4speed 12bolt 3.73's
Bench Blue w/black inter. 14.5@90mph
"UNACCEPTABLE!!!!!" Beldar

My 69 Chevelle (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/Chevelle1.jpg)

I'd also recommend you verify you don't have any IRQ conflicts. Right click on "MY Computer", pull up system properties, click on the device manager tag, click the "view devices by connection" button, and select properties at the bottom. Verify you aren't sharing IRQ's with any major components. I think there are a few "IRQ holders" that are OK to share, but you want to ensure the major components have their own.
To change IRQ settings, you must config it in your motherboard BIOS.

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71 Ragtop, finally under reconstruction!
MCC #347, TC (Gold) #174
N3JHV@bellatlantic.net

First, you say it only happens when your using your debugger. If you run your code OK without the debugger, then your debugger is allocating used address space or grabbing interupts that are allocated.

Call your debugger software maker and ask them for help. Trial & error won't work for a problem like this. There are probably initialization settings for the debugger that will limit it's use of system resources.


RLK

Thanks for the help, I will be checking it out tonight or tomorrow.

Bob/Matt - I never knew about the System File Checker...interesting. Would not surprise me if something is messed up. The debugger uses some API calls so...

Sid - Last time I checked, I didn't have any IRQ conflicts, but I will double check.

ChevelleCLM - I have ruled out the memory because I experienced the same problem on my old computer and this one has a totally different memory chip. Will pop the case open and see if the fan is working...could explain some of my CD burning problems because the first few work then it starts to fail, definitely could be heat related.

knipe - Its not always just when debugging, that is just the best way to produce the problem...hangs with Media Player and even the CD Burner sometimes too.

Thanks again! Will let you know what I find.

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Brian

1970 Chevelle Malibu

Sasquatch's Webpage (http://www.lanset.com/chevyman70/)

Since you are having trouble with more than one program, it's either a Windows problem (likely) or a hardware problem.

My first thought was the same as ChevelleCLM as far as the fan goes (and since that's easy to check, that would be my first place to look). Then I'd follow the directions given for cleaning up Windows and IE. If none of that fixes the problem, I'd go with a format/reinstall. If you're still having trouble after that, it's time to start diagnosing hardware.

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Rick Sutter
Member #383
'67 Chevelle Super Sport
67SS.com (http://67SS.com)

It could be your memory going bad.Also you can try reinstalling windows, you should lose any settings or have to reinstall any other programs, but this will refresh all your system files. Win 98 is famous for deteriating quickly and generlly being buggy and unreliable

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>I still owe a copy of Win2K to some folks, and am going to be burning soon. anyone not want a copy?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I'm sorry ChevelleCLM. I had to send that post down the trash tube http://www.chevelles.com/forum/frown.gif

This is the post I was hoping NOT to have to make in here http://www.chevelles.com/forum/frown.gif

Some simple ground rules:

1. Any repeat threads will be locked.
2. Any off topic threads will be moved to the appropriate forum.
3. ANY THREAD OR POST THAT DEALS WITH PIRATING SOFTWARE, ASKING HOW TO USE CRACKING TOOLS, OR CONTAINING PORN OR LINKS TO SAME WILL BE SWIFTLY TRASHED. If the nature of the post is serious enough (i.e. kiddie porn) the ISP of the person that posted it will be notified as well.

I'm going to be RUTHLESS as far as #3's concerned. Any post in here fitting #3 is the surest way to bring la....la....la...LAWYERS in here in droves. I don't like that and nor will Al http://www.chevelles.com/forum/frown.gif. If that were to happen it could ruin a good thing for all http://www.chevelles.com/forum/frown.gif

if anyone is offended by this I'm sorry, but in order to keep this forum under control, we all need to keep those 3 things in mind http://www.chevelles.com/forum/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by Matt Smith (edited 08-15-2001).]

Here's what I found so far:

CPU fan working fine

SFC reported setupx.dll and reg32.dll as problems, restored them from the cab file

Repaired IE

Did a quick check and I was able to step through the debugger...hopefully I can play with it some more tonight or tomorrow.

So far, so good

Thanks for the help!!!



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Brian

1970 Chevelle Malibu

Sasquatch's Webpage (http://www.lanset.com/chevyman70/)

Glad to hear it http://www.chevelles.com/forum/smile.gif

You guys amaze me! http://www.chevelles.com/forum/wink.gif What in tarnation are ya'll talking about? Plug in the ASE thingy to the IRQ port, blow the hatch and turn on the CD burner. Yeah, right. http://www.chevelles.com/forum/smile.gif

I thought this was a bug hunt!?!?

PS-Glad you guys are around! http://www.chevelles.com/forum/smile.gif


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-Mark
TC# 717
ACES #1641
1967 Chevelle SS396/375 (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/1BadRat2)
1967 RailVelle (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/1badrat3.jpg)(Parting out)
1964 Chevelle 283/195
1975 Corvette 396/425 (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/1BadRat1.jpg)

Since your machine locks solid (no mouse movement, 3 finger salute does not work, I bet your control numlock and scroll lock lights don't work on your keyboard any more either) its 99% of the time a hardware related problem. and i would say 80% of the time it is heat related. The reason it locks up with the debugger is that It takes alot of cpu to run a debugger so your cpu is working more of the time so it gets hotter. Try running with your case cover off for a while I bet your lockups will go away. It could be your memory to but I would be surprised. if you just added memory I would try and take it out and see if that fixes it. Don't do both at once though then you wont know what fixed it. But I'm sure you know that debugger man http://www.chevelles.com/forum/smile.gif http://www.chevelles.com/forum/tongue.gif good luck.

Sorry dude. I dont have any idea about any software pirating??? http://www.chevelles.com/forum/biggrin.gif but if you guys need any "TECHNICAL SUPPORT" let me know???
how about "technical support"? will that work?

------------------
350 TBI EFI 4speed 12bolt 3.73's
Bench Blue w/black inter. 14.5@90mph
"UNACCEPTABLE!!!!!" Beldar

My 69 Chevelle (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/Chevelle1.jpg)

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Matt Smith:
3. ANY THREAD OR POST THAT DEALS WITH... ASKING HOW TO USE CRACKING TOOLS..
I'm going to be RUTHLESS as far as #3's concerned. ...<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
I need to crack the upper ball joint loose on my 64. Do I use a pickle fork or just hit the ball with a 4 pound hammer? Thanks in advance.
John

Update:

I pulled the CD Burner to transfer to another computer and whaddya know...my problems went away and the other computer started to freeze up.

Thanks for the help!

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Brian

1970 Chevelle Malibu

Sasquatch's Webpage (http://www.lanset.com/chevyman70/)

Just did quite a lot of research and bought a new CD-R/RW drive.

My criteria were to get a quality product, established brand that will be around to provide service if I need it.

Narrowed it down to these two:

Plextor PX-W1610TA
hp cd-writer 9900ci

They are definitely not the cheapest ($150-$200); however, the upside of the tech meltdown is that there are some excellent prices out there on hardware.

I bought the Plextor; however, later, I found I could have got the HP for less money. If I hadn't already installed it, I probably would go for the HP.


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Larry
Gold Member #245
Seattle WA

I'm a PC admin, the plextor's better.
You made a good choice.

PS, if you're going to be using delphi (isn't that visual pascal?), or c++, or powerbuilder, or visual basic, or any compiler, i'd switch to NT (windows 2000).
Hell, even if your not using them i'd make the switch.

Win32 versions of windows have way too many problems (ie: ram leak, crashes, just plain unstable). Plus, they were made for ease of use, not stability and speed. Go NT, it takes a while to get used to, but you won't regret it.