Mystery Crashes

Dear all,

I recently changed the hard disk on my computer in response to a SMART
warning.

Since doing so, the system has begun to hang in what appears to be a random
manner. It either freezes completely or takes me to a blue screen saying
that there has been a page fault in a non paged area and that the memory is
being dumped to disk.

Can anyone suggest anything?

It doesn't appear to be my memory: I've tried it with several different RAM
sticks and the crashes still occur.

It doesn't appear to be the hard disk: The system still crashes running
Linux from a CD with the hard disk detached.

Could I have damaged the motherboard in some way?

Thank you

Gwil

Gwilym Webb wrote:

> Dear all,
>
> I recently changed the hard disk on my computer in response to a SMART
> warning.
>
> Since doing so, the system has begun to hang in what appears to be a random
> manner. It either freezes completely or takes me to a blue screen saying
> that there has been a page fault in a non paged area and that the memory is
> being dumped to disk.
>
> Can anyone suggest anything?
>
> It doesn't appear to be my memory: I've tried it with several different RAM
> sticks and the crashes still occur.
>
> It doesn't appear to be the hard disk: The system still crashes running
> Linux from a CD with the hard disk detached.
>
> Could I have damaged the motherboard in some way?
>
> Thank you
>
> Gwil
>
>
Perhaps the new one takes more power, and is pushing a marginal
power supply over the top.


--
After being targeted with gigabytes of trash by the "SWEN" worm, I have
concluded we must conceal our e-mail address. Our true address is the
mirror image of what you see before the "@" symbol. It's a shame such
steps are necessary. ...Charlie

..
> >
> > Could I have damaged the motherboard in some way?
> >
> > Thank you
> >
> > Gwil
> >
> >
> Perhaps the new one takes more power, and is pushing a marginal
> power supply over the top.


Thanks for the advice,

Since the crashes still happen with the hard disk out that doesn't seem
likely - and my supply says its 300W.

Does fitting more RAM take up more power? And what rating supply should I
need - which of the specifications is most important - several like peak
power are listed on the side of my unit?

Ta,

G

Gwilym Webb wrote:
> .
>
>>>Could I have damaged the motherboard in some way?
>>>
>>>Thank you
>>>
>>>Gwil
>>>
>>>
>>
>>Perhaps the new one takes more power, and is pushing a marginal
>>power supply over the top.
>
>
>
> Thanks for the advice,
>
> Since the crashes still happen with the hard disk out that doesn't seem
> likely

You're right. I had misread that.

- and my supply says its 300W.
>
> Does fitting more RAM take up more power?

Yes, it does, but not a lot. The biggest determiner is usually the type
of CPU.

And what rating supply should I
> need - which of the specifications is most important - several like peak
> power are listed on the side of my unit?

The most important one is the one that's exceeded. <g>

>
> Ta,
>
> G
>
>

One thing you might try is checking that all connectors are tight.
Perhaps one was disturbed during the changes. Blow the dust out,
too, while you're in there. And check that all the fans are turning --
overheating can lead to erratic behavior.

--
After being targeted with gigabytes of trash by the "SWEN" worm, I have
concluded we must conceal our e-mail address. Our true address is the
mirror image of what you see before the "@" symbol. It's a shame such
steps are necessary. ...Charlie