HP Pavilion 7865
AMD Athlon 1.2 Ghz
128Mb memory
80 Gb HD
DVD-ROM
CD-ROM
Generic 56K modem
Windows ME
Here’s my problem:
While online (using AOL 5.0), the computer will restart itself and go to the HP blue logo screen. It then juts sits there, staring at me. I am forced to restart the unit with the power button. This only happens while I’m online. I have run anti-virus and Scandisk and nothing odd appears. This happens several times a week. I have e-mailed HP for help, but I figured the resident computer gurus might be faster. I have had this computer since April (it was the one I got as a replacement for the one that was lost by The Evil Place Whose Name Must Not Be Spoken).
I have the Pavilion 8800 which is fairly similar re as sold specs ie 1.2 Athlon/60 gig/128 megs. I think the video chips are different (mine is Nvidia RIVA TNT2 32 meg). I also threw a gig of RAM onboard because it was so cheap.
Upgrade to AOL 7.0. If the problem persists get a new modem. You might also want to make sure there is nothing blocking the PC from getting adequate ventilation. The 7865 has a cramped case and if the plastic air director coming off the rear grill is mis-positioned the CPU will eventually overheat and reset the system. If the 7865 has a CPU fan make sure it is functioning.
FWIW my 8800 loves Windows XP Pro and (knock on wood) has been absolutely bulletproof since I installed it.
You didn’t say much about the modem: is it ISA, PCI, ACR or external serial/USB? Does the modem work when used on another PC?
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On one hand, AOL is legendary for “virusware” programs, and WinME is still somewhat shaky.
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On the other hand, proprietary motherboards can cause all types of “untraceable/uncurable” problems, and “mainstream” PC companies such as HP, Dell, Compaq, Gateway etc. tend to use proprietary motherboards. Open the case, and look on the motherboard for any identifying make+model names or numbers printed directly on it, and then find out who made it. Try the manufacturer’s site and http://www.motherboards.org . ~ If HP made it, it’s probably technically sub-standard in at least some ways. -That’s why they don’t tell you what motherboards they use in the PC specs: they tell you all that other stuff, but not the motherboard. - DougC
I would second astro’s answers, particularily overheating. Computers tend to act very oddly when the components overheat. Im not sure about the modem however, as I am pretty sure that a malfunctioning modem would not have this affect; you just wouldn’t be able to connect to the internet. If all else fails you could try another ISP - I don’t really see the attraction of AOL has for most people.
According to the system info, it’s a “Generic PCI modem”. I have just upgraded to AOL 6.0 so I’ll see if that’s the problem. From what I understand, 7.0 is aimed at DSL & cable modem owners. As for the heat problem, why wouldn’t the problem occur when I’m not online? I’ll try to pop open the case this weekend and examine the motherboard. I have to go in and rewire the CD & DVD ROM drives anyway. The DVD ROM drive will play DVD’s, but will not work as a DVD-ROM unit. That is, when I put in a DVD with ROM features (like the 7th disc in the X-Files box sets) I get a “You must have a DVD ROM drive to use this function” error. Both drives are attached to the same port on the motherboard, and I think that if I switch the drives around (making the DVD the “master” and the CD the “slave”, it should work.
Was the modem replaced at some point or the install definition or drivers changed because this is not the precise definition for the modem the unit shipped with.
Your unit requires a specific serial controller/emulator driver that matches the conexant chipset parameters to operate smoothly. If there is some generic winmodem driver doing this you may want to see about replacing it.
7865 Modem specs
Fax/data modem Attribute Properties
Fax/data modem Chameleon combo card (supports V.90 K56 Flex protocols)
Manufacturer Smart / Conexant
Data speed 56 Kbps
Fax speed Up to 14.4 Kbps
Plug and Play Yes
Hayes Compatible Yes
Data compression V.42 bis
Error correction v.42
Com Port (default) 2
IRQ (default) Variable
EIA fax commands Class 1
Had any electrical probs lately? I’ve seen this sort of thing after lightning storms: Phone lines got struck and wreaked all sorts of modem trouble. Yes a computer can still come on and register that the modem works even when the communications chip on the modem has been fried!! (Same modem with crater in the commo chip can also cause another computer to not even power up…)
I had the same problem with a Pavilion 8650C (computer reboots but only when using AOL). I couldn’t solve it with driver/BIOS upgrades, etc. The problem finally went away when I upgraded Internet Explorer. I have no explanation as to why this happened, but it worked.
The power rarely goes out here (I live near a substation). This problem has only occured with this computer. I am using IE 5.5. I know 6.0 is out, but it would take forever to download. I’m sure it will pop up in a free disc sometime soon.
If you can afford it, upgrade to Win2000. I run a lot of high-end graphics stuff which runs best on 2000, and the NT platform seems to be free-er of problems like WinRot etc.
I like the AMD processors also, and I intend to build a box soon with two athlons, as some of my software is dual threaded and can take advantage of the extra speed. Trouble is, that software doesn’t by itself run well on the athlon, and there is a software patch you have to install. Maybe you have a similar situation you don’t know about.
And for god’s sake man, get some memory! I can’t deal with anything less than 1 gig- too slow!!! (I’m pulling your leg, I KNOW how expensive it is, fortunately I can justify mine because it’s my gig…)
If the PC was bought preassembled, it should work with the stuff it came with. If it’s under warranty, you can’t really do anything inside or they’ll void the warranty.
First thing to try is find a friend with a local dialup accout (a local internet service) and “borrow” their phone#/name/password, so you can see if the PC/modem will get online with a regular dialup service. Whoever you borrow it from has to be aware of when you’re doing this, because for most ISP’s, one account = one access right, and they will usually get charged extra for two PC’s on at once. ~ If AOL keeps trying to run when you connect, you may have to uninstall AOL at least temporarily, just to verify that the modem works.
If a regular dialup account works, then you need to do the Windows Update on that, and then try reinstalling AOL. AOL tends to cause lots of problems because it resets a number of system defaults to suit it exclusively. -I’m not suggesting getting rid of it or not, just explaining.
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I have never heard of a modem overheating and not working. - DougC
IANAComputerGuru, but the IE upgrade “fix” to a rebooting problem is reasonable – Installing IE does a whole lot more to your PC than just adding a program. It updates DLLs, and probably some of the data access controls, and who knows what else. It’s possible that it overwrites some part of the OS or a DLL that is causing the reboot.
Does this happen at the same time or with the same trigger every time, or sort of randomly, but only when you are online? I have heard of sound card driver problems triggering reboots when AOL tries to say “You’ve Got Mail.”
As far as overheating, I don’t think people were concerned about the modem per se. A toasty CPU can be unstable, which often resultings in weird things like the computer deciding to reboot itself. I think this is an unlikely cause, since the OP states that this only happens when certain other conditions are met.
(slight hijack)
AOL 7.0 does have a lot features only available for broadband users, but also has some nice improvements for narrowband. The email and IM integration is much better, and the adress book works much better too. All in all, I like 7.0 as a an upgrade whether I’m connected with broadband or narrowband.