XP hangs during every session; can't get memory dump

[Click Beetle DX]

Hello, everyone.

I've just added a new HDD to my machine and installed Windows XP on it. I'm having a problem each time I use XP, wherein the system hangs and is completely unresponsive, meaning I can't get a memory dump when it hangs though the option to do so is enabled.

I had this exact same problem before, on the same machine, but with XP installed to a completely different HDD (which I have long since removed). Therefore, I believe the problem must lie somewhere with my hardware or software, rather than with this particular XP installation.

Here is a brief rundown of my system specs, in case it's noteworthy:

Compaq 5WV270

AMD Athlon @ 1.3Ghz

1.3GB RAM

ATI RAGE II+ graphics card

running XP SP3

There doesn't really seem to be any set time limit before the system hangs. Sometimes I can leave the computer on for many hours, sometimes just a few hours - but it hangs each and every time I use XP. This is especially irritating if I am performing a Windows Update or downloading a large file, etc.

I have 98SE installed on my C: drive, where it has been operating perfectly since 2005 with several "unofficial" enhancement and compatibility patches. Needless to say I'm therefore miffed that XP, with only completely official installation and updates, fails to remain stable on the same machine.

Any help appreciated. Of course I can provide additional details / logs if necessary.

Thanks in advance.

[Ponch]

I had this exact same problem before, on the same machine, but with XP installed to a completely different HDD (which I have long since removed). Therefore, I believe the problem must lie somewhere with my hardware or software, rather than with this particular XP installation.

Do you mean you've during that "long" time used 98SE without problem (as well as today) ?

I would try searching for XP drivers updates for all device or disabling devices one by one. Those you can obviously; modem, network, sound...

Can you rule out a contact problem in the power/signal connectors to the 2nd HDD (IDE/SATA) ? if that make sense.

[Click Beetle DX]

Do you mean you've during that "long" time used 98SE without problem (as well as today) ?

Yes, I'm using 98SE right now. It's my primary OS and it never fails me.

I would try searching for XP drivers updates for all device

I've searched, and I already have the most updated drivers for every device.

or disabling devices one by one. Those you can obviously; modem, network, sound...

I'll give that a try - but if doing this returns no positive result, what then?

Can you rule out a contact problem in the power/signal connectors to the 2nd HDD (IDE/SATA) ? if that make sense.

I'm pretty sure I can, considering this same exact problem happened with a prior WinXP installation on the same machine - and at that time, I was running XP on a second IDE HD, connected directly to the motherboard. I'm pretty sure this is a recurring issue related to hardware / software.

[Ponch]

Well... it will always be a hardware/software problem. Question is, hardware or software.

But rulling out the only physical changes you made when trying XP (those two HDD and their connections), you could isolate the problem to something like

-bad XP(SP3?), drivers (incompatible devices?)

-dodgy XP installation/media (though you did it twice).

-incompatible partitioning scheme (did you let XP create/format the partitions ?)

-incompatible additional software (...non MS, installed after XP).

[Click Beetle DX]

I finally figured out what the problem was: the driver for my ATI Rage II+ video card. I recently replaced the card with an Nvidia Geforce 6200. Since installing the Nvidia card and removing the ATI card, along with its drivers, I've noticed that XP no longer hangs. It has finally become, more or less, as reliable as my 98SE installation. It's great! But I still prefer 98SE and use it most of the time.

Edited November 11, 2011 by Click Beetle DX