First post, by aop
I'm getting completely random freezes (computer becomes unresponsive, no BSOD, only reset helps) when using Windows 98SE on my retro PC. It usually happens without any load at all when browsing folders etc.
The specs:
AMD K6-III+
Gigabyte GA-5AX rev 4.1
256MB 100MHz SDRAM
Seagate 7200.7 80GB HDD
What I have tried this far:
- swapping the sound card (SB Live!, SB AWE64, Terratec EWS64) and running the system without a sound card at all
- reinstalling Windows 98SE
- running Memtest86+ to test the RAM, it seems to be fine
- check the HDD on other PC, SMART data OK, surface check OK
- recapping the motherboard (replaced all Choyo caps with Rubycon)
- tested two different power supplies (HEC 300W and Corsair CX400W)
- updated latest BIOS (F4) on the motherboard
- checked that I have correct CPU voltage settings on the motherboard
- swapped video cards (Velocity 100 ---> Voodoo 3 3500)
The thing is that I'm not getting these crashes with a K6-2 400MHz processor installed. The K6-III+ seems to be unlikely to crash under gaming loads, atleast it ran 3DMarks fine, I could play Interstate 76 without crashes and it seems to run SuperPI for hours without crashes but when I start to use the PC normally on desktop it'll hang sooner or later.
Is there anything I can do short of buying another K6-III+ CPU to test what could be wrong (mobo or CPU)?