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PC freezes for a few seconds and then carries on?

I have a computer (well two really) where it randomly freezes for a few (up to 15) seconds when running but then carries on fine.  The PC is on a LAN and running a syslog server.  I have replaced the motherboard, processor, videocard, mouse, keyboard, hard disc (one PATA, one SATA), floppy drive, power supply, monitor, tried either DIMM on its own, removed all PCI cards, reinstalled Windows XP SP2 twice etc.

The only thing that I haven't changed is that they are using the same RAM (Kingston PC3200 on the motherboard approved list) and that the onbaord ethernet for both boards is a Marvell Yukon chipset.  The motherboards are Asus A8V Deluxe and Asus A7N8X-E.  The videocards are Matrox and Asus ATI based.  I have the latest NIC driver and VIA 4 in1 (and nVidia ones when I was using that board).

Anyone got an idea outside new RAM or NIC?

Thanks

Charles
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sirbounty
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System processes or services?
Try a limited configuration:

Start->Run->MSConfig
Check the box to hide services on the services tab.  Uncheck all remaining.
Temporarily remove all non-essentials from the startup tab and reboot.
Results?

At what point does it seem to most often freeze and how frequently does it occur?
Hi cmrayer,
> I have a computer (well two really) where it randomly freezes for a
> few (up to 15) seconds when running but then carries on fine.

Does it freeze when you are running any specific application and if yes , what application.
Have you tried to disconnect your internet connection and then check if it would freeze.

Have you thoroughly checked for virus /spyware /malware etc ?

SR..
Do you haev Daemon Tools installed?  If so, your NIC drievrs might have compatibilty issues when Daemon tools is installed.

Let me know if that's what you have.

Chris
I had problems with the Marvell Yukon NIC driverrs on the windows update site, so I just use the ones that come on my Asus Motherboard CD.  I had the same freezing problem.  It's messed up but the Daemon Tools (image mounting application) is what was causing the lock ups.

Chris
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I have tried the NIC drivers on windows update and the ones on the Asus CD with the same issues.
It does not happen at any particular time except it always happens when loading sisoft sandra 2005 sp1 (build 1050) 11 seconds in...?

The CPU is a Venice core 3000+
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I do not have Daemon tools installed - I use the Solarwinds Toolset (V8.1) though it does it without that running.
My other suggestion would be a JAVA issue, do you haev any java applications running when the problem happens?

Chris
Also when your comptuer locks up for 15 seconds at a time, then releases then freezes again, eventually does your computer totally lock up 100% or does it keep on doing the 15 second freeze?

Chris
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It 'so far' has not locked up completely, this has been happening (on the old board) for a couple of months and on this one for a week.
I tried the msconfig with all non MS services and startup items disabled
I tried the msconfig in diagnostic mode

sisoft sanda still freezes 11 seconds in...

Java is not neccesarily running when the problem happens.
Dang, and I thought I had this one answered lol... I have no idea man..I'm tryin to think of what else it could be.

Chris
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I tried removing the LAN cable, froze, rebooting with it removed, froze, disabled in device manager, rebooted, froze, next I'll try disabling in BIOS...

Charles
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I think I have the solution - I have removed both the existing CD/DVD drives and their cable.  I have replaced them with a new DVD drive with a new cable.

How's that for bizarre...

When the freezing was happening their was no disk in either of the drives?!?
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It was the somewhat bizarre solution, thanks for the ideas though, they may help someone else.

Charles
Lunchy - perhaps a P/R instead?
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Thanks,

Charles