Random Lockups associated with CDRW activity

[ragtop]

Hey guys - can anyone give me some insight (or at least an educated guess) on this one:

I built a basic machine for my sister last fall. Recently she had problems with lockups, so I'm trying to get it fixed for her.

Basics:
MSI K7T Turbo, 256 MB PC133, Duron 1200, GF2 MX400, on board sound, generic modem, 10 GB WD HDD, floppy, Philips 8x CDRW, WIN 98 FE.

This thing will run 3D Mark or the Sandra burn-in utility for days with no problem, but will have sporadic, random lockups when doing something like opening a document, internet browsing, or downloading a file. The only unusual thing I notice is that just before it locks, the CDRW activity light starts to blink and the drive starts to click like its trying to access a disc (even though there's none loaded).

I've done the following:
- removed all non-critical programs from startup
- searched & removed any spyware (wasn't much there)
- updated virus defs & ran complete scan (nothing found)
- ran Memtest86 (no problems)
- ran scandisk & WD drive diagnostics (no problems)
- all voltages & temps are good

Since the CDRW acts strange just before the lockups, I think my next step is to try a different one.

Any other suggestions on what to try if that doesn't work??

[adamnb1]

hey man,
~Before you try a different one, I would atleast just try remove the cdrw you have now, and its software and use it for a bit and see if it locks up.

~What OS?
~try getting some updated software, or reinstall just the basic drivers for that cdrw.
~go in safe mode, and remove ALL drivers for ANY cdrom or cdrw in device manager, then reboot, reinstall the cdrw.

[ragtop]

OS is WIN 98 FE

No big deal to try a new CDRW - I have another (known good) used drive sitting in my spare parts box

The hard part is spending the time playing around with the machine to see if it still locks up. Sometimes it takes a couple hours before the problem shows up.

[MaxVal]

I had the exact same symptoms on my son's computer. I finally swapped out the CD-ROM and all was well.
Give it a shot!

[skuz]

Possibility : The CDRW receives a current glitch and is reset, and since our standard IDE ports are not hot swap capable, the whole system becomes confused.

Is your power supply connected to the CDRW via a fan connector ? Fans can cause glitches.

[ragtop]

Originally posted by skuz
Is your power supply connected to the CDRW via a fan connector ? Fans can cause glitches.

No - the CDRW is connected on a line from the PS that also has the HDD and floppy (CDRW is the first device, closest to the PS) - no fan connector in the line.

BTW, I swapped out the CDRW, and so far its running OK. (but only for an hour or so - it will be a while longer before I can officially call it "fixed")

These intermittent problems are such a pain