Major major problems with my novatech PC

[downfader]

Hi there, I've sent a couple of emails to Novatechs Tech address but they've not responded (first one sent sunday night, then another last night)

Basically I bought a Isys Pro X300. The first I should say is that I had intended it to run win98se, but only found out the day after that particular OS doesnt run on systems 2.2ghz and faster. Not to worry I thought, just buy an OEM XP Pro (and I also needed a hard drive anyway so I got a second one - not yet installed though). I got XP Pro a week after the PC and installed

It went fine for a week and I'd loaded up all the motherboard drivers, the Norton internet security that came with the motherboard cdrom. I also installed a USB wireless adapter to connect to the families 2wire BT hub.

The all of a sudden last thursday it crashed, and it hasnt been the same since. Quite frankly it goes barmy - reporting major errors, restarting itself you name it, its even done blue and black warning screens. :roll:

System restore didnt work so I felt the only option was to reinstall windows. What a pain that was, the PC didnt recognise the cdrom and kept crashing and freezing. Eventually last night I got it istalled. I have also checked the HD for errors with Western Digital's own bootable cdrom (I found it on the web) and that read as a-ok.

I never thought a PC would be this much bother, I used to set up my old PC's BIOS, configure the drives and software - no problem. I know XP Pro is a step up but I dont think its that.

Have I got a dud? I really do feel I should try and get my money back now (not on the XP and the harddrive though - I'd need that for another system) as I'm at the end of my tether. A couple of PC guys I know have been trying to help me but even they are at a loss. :roll: :(

Advice sorely needed. Thanks!

[illusionalSin]

Hmm random, I suggest try installing Windows one more time, update Windows first before installing Norton and see what happens. The Windows disc should be fine and theres not an awful lot of difference between home and pro edition, in fact they merge pretty much as one after SP2. You can check your hard drive using tools found on the manufactures website. See how that goes, if it does it again, might be a hardware issue. Could try installing the XP on another machine if you have a spare one?

[downfader]

Hmm random, I suggest try installing Windows one more time, update Windows first before installing Norton and see what happens. The Windows disc should be fine and theres not an awful lot of difference between home and pro edition, in fact they merge pretty much as one after SP2. You can check your*hard drive ('http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/products/a502x1y0z1p0s0n0m0') using tools found on the manufactures website. See how that goes, if it does it again, might be a hardware issue. Could try installing the XP on another machine if you have a spare one?

Cheers for the reply - much appreciated.

Yeah I've already done extensive tests on the HD, not a problem there. I know western digital sometimes get a bad rep on some forums but it does seem fine to me.

I have tried installing XP updates but yet nothing has happened. :?

Sadly I havent a spare machine. (Or much cash left LOL! :lol: ) I'm pretty sure the cdrom is ok - those things are pretty standard from what I'm told. :)

[illusionalSin]

cdroms? Yea, dont need anything special for them. Well dude, sorry can't be any more help. Might need techy to look at it. If you know anything about linux, you could try using a live cd to test whether its a hardware issue, might be the windows disc but can't really see it being that.

[djgandy]

Re-install windows without the machine connected to the net.
Leave it running. Give it something to do for good measure too.
If it stays stable the machine is most likely fine and you had a bad windows installation.

[downfader]

Re-install windows without the machine connected to the net.
Leave it running. Give it something to do for good measure too.
If it stays stable the machine is most likely fine and you had a bad windows installation.

Like playing cds? :lol: I'll give that a try a bit later.

I did try to download new drivers for the Foxconn motherboard but they were over 90mb for one set. I did manage to install the new audio drivers and thats stopped the audio problems I was getting (XP said the supplied drivers were incompatable)

Cheers for both your help! :)