{{ OT }} Computerj (PC) Troubles with PCI Buss
 

I have a PC that was running okay, but developed a problem where the mouse
locks up -- stops moving -- and the entire rest of the computer freezes at
the same time. In the grand scheme of chicken-and-egg, I don't know that the
computer freezes and the mouse stops moving, or the mouse stops and the
computer freezes. I only know that the computer has stopped because the
mouse no longer responds.

I have to physically shut the computer off by holding the power switch.

After many hours of checking, I discovered that if I remove the wireless
adaptor, the computer works properly for days on end. When I install the
wireless adaptor, the computer will lock up within a few minutes.

I'm certain that I have a hardware problem, and I think I have a power
supply issue on my hands. The wireless adaptor is a PCI bus device, and I'm
thinking the bus power supply is teetering on the brink of collapse, and the
adaptor pushes it over the edge.

The motherboard is based on Celeron architecture, I forget the clock speed
but 900 MHz sticks in my head.

This machine worked for years without ever giving me a problem. I installed
the wireless adaptor about two years ago and was a broadband bandit for more
than a year before I broke down and bought fiber optic service for my
internet access. In the past ten days, I bought a new Core-2 Intel
something-or-other, and was going to sell the Celeron to my brother in law.
While removing my files, the mouse started acting up, and I jumped through
all kinds of hoops trying to get the machine to work, I finally bought
another Core 2 something-or-other for my BIL.

I found that the Celeron machine now works flawlessly for days and days, but
I did not realize the wireless adaptor was a key. I installed a new wireless
adaptor -- different from the original one -- and the problems began again
within minutes. Sometimes the machine will lock up on the Desktop while
booting, other times it will boot okay but lock up a while later. In any
case, it always locks up in less than about 20 minutes. The PC is completely
stripped right now, it has a keyboard, mouse, and monitor only. No printer
or any other peripheral, including CD drive or 3.5" floppy. From the view of
the power supply, there is only a motherboard, mouse, keyboard, and monitor.

When the wireless adaptor is installed into any of the 3 PCI ports, the
computer locks up.

Is this a power supply issue?

Re: {{ OT }} Computerj (PC) Troubles with PCI Buss
 

On 2007-08-07 12:44:35 -0700, "Jeff Strickland" <crwlr@verizon.net> said:

> I have a PC that was running okay, but developed a problem where the
> mouse locks up -- stops moving -- and the entire rest of the computer
> freezes at the same time. In the grand scheme of chicken-and-egg, I
> don't know that the computer freezes and the mouse stops moving, or the
> mouse stops and the computer freezes. I only know that the computer has
> stopped because the mouse no longer responds.
>
> I have to physically shut the computer off by holding the power switch.
>
> After many hours of checking, I discovered that if I remove the
> wireless adaptor, the computer works properly for days on end. When I
> install the wireless adaptor, the computer will lock up within a few
> minutes.
>
> I'm certain that I have a hardware problem, and I think I have a power
> supply issue on my hands. The wireless adaptor is a PCI bus device, and
> I'm thinking the bus power supply is teetering on the brink of
> collapse, and the adaptor pushes it over the edge.
>
> The motherboard is based on Celeron architecture, I forget the clock
> speed but 900 MHz sticks in my head.
>
> This machine worked for years without ever giving me a problem. I
> installed the wireless adaptor about two years ago and was a broadband
> bandit for more than a year before I broke down and bought fiber optic
> service for my internet access. In the past ten days, I bought a new
> Core-2 Intel something-or-other, and was going to sell the Celeron to
> my brother in law. While removing my files, the mouse started acting
> up, and I jumped through all kinds of hoops trying to get the machine
> to work, I finally bought another Core 2 something-or-other for my BIL.
>
> I found that the Celeron machine now works flawlessly for days and
> days, but I did not realize the wireless adaptor was a key. I installed
> a new wireless adaptor -- different from the original one -- and the
> problems began again within minutes. Sometimes the machine will lock up
> on the Desktop while booting, other times it will boot okay but lock up
> a while later. In any case, it always locks up in less than about 20
> minutes. The PC is completely stripped right now, it has a keyboard,
> mouse, and monitor only. No printer or any other peripheral, including
> CD drive or 3.5" floppy. From the view of the power supply, there is
> only a motherboard, mouse, keyboard, and monitor.
>
> When the wireless adaptor is installed into any of the 3 PCI ports, the
> computer locks up.
>
> Is this a power supply issue?

It sounds like an IRQ problem. The other PCI devices in your machine
do not like the wireless adapter. Have you
also added any other PCI cards, new OR replacements, to your box
recently? Also check the wireless adapter
manufacturer's site for updated drivers which may address the issue.

When the box locks up, can you get any reaction from the Windows key on
your keyboard?

Kinda tough diagnosing remotely. That's all I can think of right now.

Re: {{ OT }} Computerj (PC) Troubles with PCI Buss
 

On 2007-08-07 12:44:35 -0700, "Jeff Strickland" <crwlr@verizon.net> said:

> I have a PC that was running okay, but developed a problem where the
> mouse locks up -- stops moving -- and the entire rest of the computer
> freezes at the same time. In the grand scheme of chicken-and-egg, I
> don't know that the computer freezes and the mouse stops moving, or the
> mouse stops and the computer freezes. I only know that the computer has
> stopped because the mouse no longer responds.
>
> I have to physically shut the computer off by holding the power switch.
>
> After many hours of checking, I discovered that if I remove the
> wireless adaptor, the computer works properly for days on end. When I
> install the wireless adaptor, the computer will lock up within a few
> minutes.
>
> I'm certain that I have a hardware problem, and I think I have a power
> supply issue on my hands. The wireless adaptor is a PCI bus device, and
> I'm thinking the bus power supply is teetering on the brink of
> collapse, and the adaptor pushes it over the edge.
>
> The motherboard is based on Celeron architecture, I forget the clock
> speed but 900 MHz sticks in my head.
>
> This machine worked for years without ever giving me a problem. I
> installed the wireless adaptor about two years ago and was a broadband
> bandit for more than a year before I broke down and bought fiber optic
> service for my internet access. In the past ten days, I bought a new
> Core-2 Intel something-or-other, and was going to sell the Celeron to
> my brother in law. While removing my files, the mouse started acting
> up, and I jumped through all kinds of hoops trying to get the machine
> to work, I finally bought another Core 2 something-or-other for my BIL.
>
> I found that the Celeron machine now works flawlessly for days and
> days, but I did not realize the wireless adaptor was a key. I installed
> a new wireless adaptor -- different from the original one -- and the
> problems began again within minutes. Sometimes the machine will lock up
> on the Desktop while booting, other times it will boot okay but lock up
> a while later. In any case, it always locks up in less than about 20
> minutes. The PC is completely stripped right now, it has a keyboard,
> mouse, and monitor only. No printer or any other peripheral, including
> CD drive or 3.5" floppy. From the view of the power supply, there is
> only a motherboard, mouse, keyboard, and monitor.
>
> When the wireless adaptor is installed into any of the 3 PCI ports, the
> computer locks up.
>
> Is this a power supply issue?

It sounds like an IRQ problem. The other PCI devices in your machine
do not like the wireless adapter. Have you
also added any other PCI cards, new OR replacements, to your box
recently? Also check the wireless adapter
manufacturer's site for updated drivers which may address the issue.

When the box locks up, can you get any reaction from the Windows key on
your keyboard?

Kinda tough diagnosing remotely. That's all I can think of right now.

Re: {{ OT }} Computerj (PC) Troubles with PCI Buss
 

On 2007-08-07 12:44:35 -0700, "Jeff Strickland" <crwlr@verizon.net> said:

> I have a PC that was running okay, but developed a problem where the
> mouse locks up -- stops moving -- and the entire rest of the computer
> freezes at the same time. In the grand scheme of chicken-and-egg, I
> don't know that the computer freezes and the mouse stops moving, or the
> mouse stops and the computer freezes. I only know that the computer has
> stopped because the mouse no longer responds.
>
> I have to physically shut the computer off by holding the power switch.
>
> After many hours of checking, I discovered that if I remove the
> wireless adaptor, the computer works properly for days on end. When I
> install the wireless adaptor, the computer will lock up within a few
> minutes.
>
> I'm certain that I have a hardware problem, and I think I have a power
> supply issue on my hands. The wireless adaptor is a PCI bus device, and
> I'm thinking the bus power supply is teetering on the brink of
> collapse, and the adaptor pushes it over the edge.
>
> The motherboard is based on Celeron architecture, I forget the clock
> speed but 900 MHz sticks in my head.
>
> This machine worked for years without ever giving me a problem. I
> installed the wireless adaptor about two years ago and was a broadband
> bandit for more than a year before I broke down and bought fiber optic
> service for my internet access. In the past ten days, I bought a new
> Core-2 Intel something-or-other, and was going to sell the Celeron to
> my brother in law. While removing my files, the mouse started acting
> up, and I jumped through all kinds of hoops trying to get the machine
> to work, I finally bought another Core 2 something-or-other for my BIL.
>
> I found that the Celeron machine now works flawlessly for days and
> days, but I did not realize the wireless adaptor was a key. I installed
> a new wireless adaptor -- different from the original one -- and the
> problems began again within minutes. Sometimes the machine will lock up
> on the Desktop while booting, other times it will boot okay but lock up
> a while later. In any case, it always locks up in less than about 20
> minutes. The PC is completely stripped right now, it has a keyboard,
> mouse, and monitor only. No printer or any other peripheral, including
> CD drive or 3.5" floppy. From the view of the power supply, there is
> only a motherboard, mouse, keyboard, and monitor.
>
> When the wireless adaptor is installed into any of the 3 PCI ports, the
> computer locks up.
>
> Is this a power supply issue?

It sounds like an IRQ problem. The other PCI devices in your machine
do not like the wireless adapter. Have you
also added any other PCI cards, new OR replacements, to your box
recently? Also check the wireless adapter
manufacturer's site for updated drivers which may address the issue.

When the box locks up, can you get any reaction from the Windows key on
your keyboard?

Kinda tough diagnosing remotely. That's all I can think of right now.

Re: {{ OT }} Computerj (PC) Troubles with PCI Buss
 

On 2007-08-07 12:44:35 -0700, "Jeff Strickland" <crwlr@verizon.net> said:

> I have a PC that was running okay, but developed a problem where the
> mouse locks up -- stops moving -- and the entire rest of the computer
> freezes at the same time. In the grand scheme of chicken-and-egg, I
> don't know that the computer freezes and the mouse stops moving, or the
> mouse stops and the computer freezes. I only know that the computer has
> stopped because the mouse no longer responds.
>
> I have to physically shut the computer off by holding the power switch.
>
> After many hours of checking, I discovered that if I remove the
> wireless adaptor, the computer works properly for days on end. When I
> install the wireless adaptor, the computer will lock up within a few
> minutes.
>
> I'm certain that I have a hardware problem, and I think I have a power
> supply issue on my hands. The wireless adaptor is a PCI bus device, and
> I'm thinking the bus power supply is teetering on the brink of
> collapse, and the adaptor pushes it over the edge.
>
> The motherboard is based on Celeron architecture, I forget the clock
> speed but 900 MHz sticks in my head.
>
> This machine worked for years without ever giving me a problem. I
> installed the wireless adaptor about two years ago and was a broadband
> bandit for more than a year before I broke down and bought fiber optic
> service for my internet access. In the past ten days, I bought a new
> Core-2 Intel something-or-other, and was going to sell the Celeron to
> my brother in law. While removing my files, the mouse started acting
> up, and I jumped through all kinds of hoops trying to get the machine
> to work, I finally bought another Core 2 something-or-other for my BIL.
>
> I found that the Celeron machine now works flawlessly for days and
> days, but I did not realize the wireless adaptor was a key. I installed
> a new wireless adaptor -- different from the original one -- and the
> problems began again within minutes. Sometimes the machine will lock up
> on the Desktop while booting, other times it will boot okay but lock up
> a while later. In any case, it always locks up in less than about 20
> minutes. The PC is completely stripped right now, it has a keyboard,
> mouse, and monitor only. No printer or any other peripheral, including
> CD drive or 3.5" floppy. From the view of the power supply, there is
> only a motherboard, mouse, keyboard, and monitor.
>
> When the wireless adaptor is installed into any of the 3 PCI ports, the
> computer locks up.
>
> Is this a power supply issue?

It sounds like an IRQ problem. The other PCI devices in your machine
do not like the wireless adapter. Have you
also added any other PCI cards, new OR replacements, to your box
recently? Also check the wireless adapter
manufacturer's site for updated drivers which may address the issue.

When the box locks up, can you get any reaction from the Windows key on
your keyboard?

Kinda tough diagnosing remotely. That's all I can think of right now.

Re: {{ OT }} Computerj (PC) Troubles with PCI Buss
 

In article <DY3ui.18645$ug3.17126@trnddc06>,
"Jeff Strickland" <crwlr@verizon.net> wrote:

> I have a PC that was running okay, but developed a problem where the mouse
> locks up -- stops moving -- and the entire rest of the computer freezes at
> the same time. In the grand scheme of chicken-and-egg, I don't know that the
> computer freezes and the mouse stops moving, or the mouse stops and the
> computer freezes. I only know that the computer has stopped because the
> mouse no longer responds.
>
> I have to physically shut the computer off by holding the power switch.
>
> After many hours of checking, I discovered that if I remove the wireless
> adaptor, the computer works properly for days on end. When I install the
> wireless adaptor, the computer will lock up within a few minutes.
>
> I'm certain that I have a hardware problem, and I think I have a power
> supply issue on my hands. The wireless adaptor is a PCI bus device, and I'm
> thinking the bus power supply is teetering on the brink of collapse, and the
> adaptor pushes it over the edge.
>
> The motherboard is based on Celeron architecture, I forget the clock speed
> but 900 MHz sticks in my head.
>
> This machine worked for years without ever giving me a problem. I installed
> the wireless adaptor about two years ago and was a broadband bandit for more
> than a year before I broke down and bought fiber optic service for my
> internet access. In the past ten days, I bought a new Core-2 Intel
> something-or-other, and was going to sell the Celeron to my brother in law.
> While removing my files, the mouse started acting up, and I jumped through
> all kinds of hoops trying to get the machine to work, I finally bought
> another Core 2 something-or-other for my BIL.
>
> I found that the Celeron machine now works flawlessly for days and days, but
> I did not realize the wireless adaptor was a key. I installed a new wireless
> adaptor -- different from the original one -- and the problems began again
> within minutes. Sometimes the machine will lock up on the Desktop while
> booting, other times it will boot okay but lock up a while later. In any
> case, it always locks up in less than about 20 minutes. The PC is completely
> stripped right now, it has a keyboard, mouse, and monitor only. No printer
> or any other peripheral, including CD drive or 3.5" floppy. From the view of
> the power supply, there is only a motherboard, mouse, keyboard, and monitor.
>
> When the wireless adaptor is installed into any of the 3 PCI ports, the
> computer locks up.
>
> Is this a power supply issue?

Do you have driver software for the wireless device?

--
"Fire up a colortini, sit back, relax, and watch the pictures, now,
as they fly through the air."
Tom Snyder

Re: {{ OT }} Computerj (PC) Troubles with PCI Buss
 

In article <DY3ui.18645$ug3.17126@trnddc06>,
"Jeff Strickland" <crwlr@verizon.net> wrote:

> I have a PC that was running okay, but developed a problem where the mouse
> locks up -- stops moving -- and the entire rest of the computer freezes at
> the same time. In the grand scheme of chicken-and-egg, I don't know that the
> computer freezes and the mouse stops moving, or the mouse stops and the
> computer freezes. I only know that the computer has stopped because the
> mouse no longer responds.
>
> I have to physically shut the computer off by holding the power switch.
>
> After many hours of checking, I discovered that if I remove the wireless
> adaptor, the computer works properly for days on end. When I install the
> wireless adaptor, the computer will lock up within a few minutes.
>
> I'm certain that I have a hardware problem, and I think I have a power
> supply issue on my hands. The wireless adaptor is a PCI bus device, and I'm
> thinking the bus power supply is teetering on the brink of collapse, and the
> adaptor pushes it over the edge.
>
> The motherboard is based on Celeron architecture, I forget the clock speed
> but 900 MHz sticks in my head.
>
> This machine worked for years without ever giving me a problem. I installed
> the wireless adaptor about two years ago and was a broadband bandit for more
> than a year before I broke down and bought fiber optic service for my
> internet access. In the past ten days, I bought a new Core-2 Intel
> something-or-other, and was going to sell the Celeron to my brother in law.
> While removing my files, the mouse started acting up, and I jumped through
> all kinds of hoops trying to get the machine to work, I finally bought
> another Core 2 something-or-other for my BIL.
>
> I found that the Celeron machine now works flawlessly for days and days, but
> I did not realize the wireless adaptor was a key. I installed a new wireless
> adaptor -- different from the original one -- and the problems began again
> within minutes. Sometimes the machine will lock up on the Desktop while
> booting, other times it will boot okay but lock up a while later. In any
> case, it always locks up in less than about 20 minutes. The PC is completely
> stripped right now, it has a keyboard, mouse, and monitor only. No printer
> or any other peripheral, including CD drive or 3.5" floppy. From the view of
> the power supply, there is only a motherboard, mouse, keyboard, and monitor.
>
> When the wireless adaptor is installed into any of the 3 PCI ports, the
> computer locks up.
>
> Is this a power supply issue?

Do you have driver software for the wireless device?

--
"Fire up a colortini, sit back, relax, and watch the pictures, now,
as they fly through the air."
Tom Snyder

Re: {{ OT }} Computerj (PC) Troubles with PCI Buss
 

In article <DY3ui.18645$ug3.17126@trnddc06>,
"Jeff Strickland" <crwlr@verizon.net> wrote:

> I have a PC that was running okay, but developed a problem where the mouse
> locks up -- stops moving -- and the entire rest of the computer freezes at
> the same time. In the grand scheme of chicken-and-egg, I don't know that the
> computer freezes and the mouse stops moving, or the mouse stops and the
> computer freezes. I only know that the computer has stopped because the
> mouse no longer responds.
>
> I have to physically shut the computer off by holding the power switch.
>
> After many hours of checking, I discovered that if I remove the wireless
> adaptor, the computer works properly for days on end. When I install the
> wireless adaptor, the computer will lock up within a few minutes.
>
> I'm certain that I have a hardware problem, and I think I have a power
> supply issue on my hands. The wireless adaptor is a PCI bus device, and I'm
> thinking the bus power supply is teetering on the brink of collapse, and the
> adaptor pushes it over the edge.
>
> The motherboard is based on Celeron architecture, I forget the clock speed
> but 900 MHz sticks in my head.
>
> This machine worked for years without ever giving me a problem. I installed
> the wireless adaptor about two years ago and was a broadband bandit for more
> than a year before I broke down and bought fiber optic service for my
> internet access. In the past ten days, I bought a new Core-2 Intel
> something-or-other, and was going to sell the Celeron to my brother in law.
> While removing my files, the mouse started acting up, and I jumped through
> all kinds of hoops trying to get the machine to work, I finally bought
> another Core 2 something-or-other for my BIL.
>
> I found that the Celeron machine now works flawlessly for days and days, but
> I did not realize the wireless adaptor was a key. I installed a new wireless
> adaptor -- different from the original one -- and the problems began again
> within minutes. Sometimes the machine will lock up on the Desktop while
> booting, other times it will boot okay but lock up a while later. In any
> case, it always locks up in less than about 20 minutes. The PC is completely
> stripped right now, it has a keyboard, mouse, and monitor only. No printer
> or any other peripheral, including CD drive or 3.5" floppy. From the view of
> the power supply, there is only a motherboard, mouse, keyboard, and monitor.
>
> When the wireless adaptor is installed into any of the 3 PCI ports, the
> computer locks up.
>
> Is this a power supply issue?

Do you have driver software for the wireless device?

--
"Fire up a colortini, sit back, relax, and watch the pictures, now,
as they fly through the air."
Tom Snyder

Re: {{ OT }} Computerj (PC) Troubles with PCI Buss
 

In article <DY3ui.18645$ug3.17126@trnddc06>,
"Jeff Strickland" <crwlr@verizon.net> wrote:

> I have a PC that was running okay, but developed a problem where the mouse
> locks up -- stops moving -- and the entire rest of the computer freezes at
> the same time. In the grand scheme of chicken-and-egg, I don't know that the
> computer freezes and the mouse stops moving, or the mouse stops and the
> computer freezes. I only know that the computer has stopped because the
> mouse no longer responds.
>
> I have to physically shut the computer off by holding the power switch.
>
> After many hours of checking, I discovered that if I remove the wireless
> adaptor, the computer works properly for days on end. When I install the
> wireless adaptor, the computer will lock up within a few minutes.
>
> I'm certain that I have a hardware problem, and I think I have a power
> supply issue on my hands. The wireless adaptor is a PCI bus device, and I'm
> thinking the bus power supply is teetering on the brink of collapse, and the
> adaptor pushes it over the edge.
>
> The motherboard is based on Celeron architecture, I forget the clock speed
> but 900 MHz sticks in my head.
>
> This machine worked for years without ever giving me a problem. I installed
> the wireless adaptor about two years ago and was a broadband bandit for more
> than a year before I broke down and bought fiber optic service for my
> internet access. In the past ten days, I bought a new Core-2 Intel
> something-or-other, and was going to sell the Celeron to my brother in law.
> While removing my files, the mouse started acting up, and I jumped through
> all kinds of hoops trying to get the machine to work, I finally bought
> another Core 2 something-or-other for my BIL.
>
> I found that the Celeron machine now works flawlessly for days and days, but
> I did not realize the wireless adaptor was a key. I installed a new wireless
> adaptor -- different from the original one -- and the problems began again
> within minutes. Sometimes the machine will lock up on the Desktop while
> booting, other times it will boot okay but lock up a while later. In any
> case, it always locks up in less than about 20 minutes. The PC is completely
> stripped right now, it has a keyboard, mouse, and monitor only. No printer
> or any other peripheral, including CD drive or 3.5" floppy. From the view of
> the power supply, there is only a motherboard, mouse, keyboard, and monitor.
>
> When the wireless adaptor is installed into any of the 3 PCI ports, the
> computer locks up.
>
> Is this a power supply issue?

Do you have driver software for the wireless device?

--
"Fire up a colortini, sit back, relax, and watch the pictures, now,
as they fly through the air."
Tom Snyder

Re: {{ OT }} Computerj (PC) Troubles with PCI Buss
 

"witfal" <nospam@all4.me> wrote in message
news:f9air1$u0s$1@news.albasani.net...
>>
>> Is this a power supply issue?
>
> It sounds like an IRQ problem. The other PCI devices in your machine do
> not like the wireless adapter. Have you
> also added any other PCI cards, new OR replacements, to your box recently?
> Also check the wireless adapter
> manufacturer's site for updated drivers which may address the issue.
>

No, nothing new. Yes, I checked for updates. The original adaptor (NetGear)
and the new one (D-Link) are both doing the same thing.




> When the box locks up, can you get any reaction from the Windows key on
> your keyboard?
>

No, no action from any of the keys.

The (before I started having troubles) was a USB based wireless mouse,
powered by a PCI-based USB 2.0 adaptor. I removed that adaptor and reverted
to a PS2 mouse. There was no change to the behavior until I removed the
wireless adaptor (NetGear), at which point (or some point soon thereafter)
the USB card was reinstalled and the machine worked okay until the D-link
adaptor was installed. Today, all adaptors are removed, and the problem
comes and goes with the wireless adaptor that allows connection to the
wireless network at my house.



> Kinda tough diagnosing remotely. That's all I can think of right now.
>

It's all I can think of too, and I'm not remote ...