Unexplainable Crash

[Novaoblivion]

I have an old eMachine I am trying to get running and it has a very strange problem that I cant figure out for the life of me. After running Idle for about 5-10 minutes it crashes. The screen goes blank, the harddrive activity light comes on and stays on, the PSU fan keeps spinning, and the CPU fan stops. I have even had it do this too me while trying to reinstall windows. There are no error messages displayed and none are written to the Event Viewer. I know eMachines blow but its not my system its a family member's.

System Specs:

eMachine T2642

CPU: Intel® Celeron® 2.60GHz Processor

128KB L2 cache & 400MHz FSB

Operating System: Genuine Microsoft® Windows® XP Home

Chipset: Intel® 845GV chipset

Memory: 256MB DDR (PC 2100)

Hard Drive: 40GB HDD

Optical Drive: 48x Max. CD-RW Drive; 3.5" 1.44MB FDD

Video: Intel® Extreme Graphics 3D

64MB Shared memory

Sound: AC '97 Audio

Network: 10/100Mbps built-in Ethernet

Modem: 56K ITU v.92-ready Fax/Modem

Peripherals: Standard Multimedia Keyboard, 2-Button Wheel Mouse, Standard Stereo Speakers

Ports/Other: 6 USB 2.0 ports (2 on front), 1 Serial, 1 Parallel, 2 PS/2, Audio-In & Out

What I have tried so far:

• Installed anti-spyware programs and removed close to 200 spyware.

• Removed Norton antivirus and install Kaspersky, removed 2 viruses.

• Removed additional bad software (AOl, etc.).

• Fixed registry problems.

• Updated drivers.

• Reinstalled OS, Installed SP2, Installed updated drivers, installed software, installed windows updates, and copied documents back. Attempted Three times.

• Replaced Bios battery.

• Removed each piece and RAM and tested it.

• Ran extended test on harddrive.

• Ran extended test on CPU.

• Ran extended test on RAM.

• Ran Linux for 12 hours to test hardware stability.

• Installed and tested additional harddrive.

• Consulted various online sources.

• Created a new XP installation with SP2 and updated Driver slipstreamed.

• Reset Bios settings.

• Tested with good powersupply.

• Examined motherboard for problems.

• Disabled and enabled drivers one at a time.

• Removed all startup items.

• Replaced IDE cable for harddrive.

• Replaced IDE cable for CD drive.

• Measured various components for overheating.

• Removed and replaced PCI cards.

• Removed and replaced CD Drives.

• Removed and replaced Floppy Drive.

• Removed and replaced from USB and audio ports.

• XP Install attempted with no extra components connected.

I am about ready to give up on it, does anyone have any ideas? Thanks!

Edited February 10, 2007 by Novaoblivion

[kz26]

I see you have tried Linux for 12 hours. This would mean (I think?) a Windows-specific problem. It looks like a fairly typical system.

[Jeremy]

Sounds like possibly a defective PSU, RAM or faulty mobo. Is it under warranty? If so, they could take it back and get it repaired. Yeah, I hear eMachines are bottom of the barrel. I'm not surprised. It's like straight out of the cereal box, eh? :lol:

Edited February 10, 2007 by Jeremy

[Novaoblivion]

Yeah eMachines suck I am just going to tell them to to take it to someone else, I have better things to do with my time, Lol. Thanks guys

Edited February 10, 2007 by Novaoblivion

[Francesco]

Have you checked out the windows power settings to see if standby/suspend/turn off screen is turned on?

Edited February 11, 2007 by Francesco