New stability problems

JustHalf

I bought some SATA hard drives:

• Western Digital Raptor 74GB S-ATA
• Maxtor DiamondMax 10 300GB S-ATA 16MB cache

and decided to reinstall my system using the Raptor as my boot drive and the Maxtor as a storage drive. Windows XP was rock solid. I had previously had stability problems with this system, but moving the RAM from banks 1&3 to banks 2&4 solved this completely.

I had problems installing Windows XP the first time, but it installed the second time no problem. As I'd installed two drivers for the Silicon Image RAID controller (I couldn't remember the model number at the time) I put it down to that.

Got into Windows XP. This is what I get:

1. Random application crashes. I've seen the Firefox Quality Feedback agent far too many times
2. When the system is under mild load, there is a good chance that the computer will reboot. Usually happens when downloading files.
3. Apps refuse to start, with no prompt to the user. Usually happens after the app has crashed beforehand. The process list does not list the app in question... I've checked for that problem.

System specs:

• Pentium 4 2.6C (Northwood w/800MHz FSB, HT on)
• Abit IC7-G
• 2x 256mb 3200 Ram (Kingston Hyper-X, dual channel mode, passed 16 or so hours of memtest86... slowed to 2.5 - 3 - 3 - 6... it will not run at CAS3)
• Asus 8420 Deluxe (Ti4200; this one)
• 1x Western Digital Raptor 74GB S-ATA
• 1x Maxtor DiamondMax 10 300GB S-ATA 16MB cache
• 1x DVD drive, 1x CD burner, 1x floppy drive
• Enermax 350W PSU
• I'm using Windows XP with SP2 rolled in.

What changed?

• Took out one PATA drive and put in two SATA drives, on the ICH5-R controller (not in RAID mode).
• Windows XP SP2 instead of SP1
• SATA controllers on (where previously disabled to speed up boot)

I've noticed the SATA cables are sort of lose... not to the point of falling off, but not as secure as a PATA or molex connector would be. I have no experience with SATA cables, is this normal?

Has anyone got any ideas? I'm going to try the following:

1. Installing the latest BIOS (to #26... what's worrying is that my BIOS #21, is no longer listed on the Abit site)
2. Disconnecting the Maxtor and DVD drive (just in case, shouldn't be a problem).

so there's no point recommending these options.

Thanks in advance,
Dave

StRiKeR

oops just read it again, you have silicom image, have you updated the bios yet?

it could be the sli 3112 having problem with you drive, alot of silicon image are shipped with old bios and they seems to have problems with drives over 160gb

JustHalf

I have two SATA controllers: the one built into the ICH5-R and the Silicon Image 3112A. I'm only using the Intel one.

StRiKeR

the intel one should be fine, i have 2 raptors raid on that! but still no harm do a bios update, you never know it might help!

JustHalf

I've clocked the ram down to 333 for now... this seems to have solved the problem. Hopefully this level of stability holds.

Obviously this isn't the best solution possible, but as I'm already looking to buy a laptop the cost of new RAM is too much for me to afford.

StRiKeR

what sort of laptop are you looking to buy?

JustHalf

Powerbook

StRiKeR

ar apple!

keeps the doctor away