Computer locks when copying large('ish) files

Hi,

I have a recurring problem. When I try to copy reasonably large files my machine will lock up (using windows explorer or a backup program such as Acronis).

A few months ago I created a clean reinstal of Xp., partly to try to cure this problem. However, the problem has survived the reinstal.

The situation is critical as far as making backups is concerned, I have Acronis Home 2009 which I cannot use as the system will always fail if I try to make a backup of any type.

For most general work including graphics the system works OK but when I want, for example, to copy video files into the machine this will fail if the file is larger than say about 200Mb.

I need some guidance on what to do next to try to diagnose and cure this problem.

As a temporary fix I backup critical files either by copying files in small batches to a separate drive or burning them to disc.

Many thanks

Martin

windows XP Home, 5.1.2600 SP3
Nvidia 6600GT Driver: 6.14.11.8585 (4-30-2009)
Memory 4GB (2.45 available)
AMD duo 2.2 Mhz
Pheonix BIOS
DirectX 9.0

Hmmm, 200Mb is not that large so it would not be a FAT32 issue (which has a 4Gb file limit). How much free disk space do you have?

You say you have 4Gb installed but only 2.45Gb available. While I would expect less than 4Gb with 32-bit operating systems, it still seems it should be closer to 3Gb. I might suggest you test your RAM using one of the following programs. Both require you to create and boot to a bootable floppy disk or CD to run the diagnostics. Using the floppy method is generally easier (and another reason to include floppy drives in new builds). However, the CD method is just as effective at detecting RAM problems. Allow the diagnostics to run for several passes or even overnight. You should have no reported errors.

Windows Memory Diagnostic - see the easy to follow instructions under Quick Start Information.
or
MemTest86+ (for more advanced users) - an excellent how-to guide is available here.

Alternatively, you could install a single RAM module and try running with that to see if it fails. Repeat process with remaining modules, hopefully identifying the bad stick through a process of elimination.

__________________
Bill (AFE7Ret)
Freedom is NOT Free!

Heat is the bane of all electronics!
─────────────────────

Please help us help you.

Hi,

Thanks for the rapid reply.

I have 778Gb of spece free on a 1TB drive (most of my data is currently on the second drive which is a bit tight: 43 Gb free ona 500GB drive) - both SATA.

The failures occurred before I installed the 1TB drive as my main drive.

I will download both diagnostic tools you recommend and try out to see what happens.

many thanks

Kind regards

martin

I wonder if this could be a heat problem? Is the inside of the computer clean, all fans turning, no dust bunnies or clogged vents?

__________________
Rich

It's a damn small mind that can think of only one way to spell a word. - Andrew Jackson

Thanks for that,

I clean out the inside of the computer regularly with compressed air and all the fans a spinning OK.

Martin

H, Many thanks for all your help.

I have tried analysing the RAM but get no error messages.

Generally, my computer is very stable and is used for a number of tasks which include complex 3D CAD and it is able to perform full renders very quickly, it seems that the only problem I have is when I try to use Windows Explorer. I tested the idea of heat by trying to copy a large file using Windows Explorer, first thing in the morning immediately on start-up, the result was that the machine locked up.

I do wonder if it is Windows Explorer that is at fault. In order to test this I downloaded an evaluation copy of Altap Salamander and with this program I am able to copy large files without any problem at all.

Two primary reason for copying large files are:

i) To make backups of my drives using Acronis.

ii) I wish to copy video files from a camcorder onto a hard drive, I wish to use the Sony Picture Utility (PMB picture motion browser) as this is a very convenient way to manage pictures.

I assume that both Acronis and PMB use Windows Exploer to actually copy the files.

Is there any way that I can get a copy of Windows Explorer to replace the copy I have?

As this problem has survived a full re-install of Xp I feel that it could be that my copy of Windows Explorer is corrupted.

Many thanks for your help

Kind regards

Martin

Do not confuse Windows Explorer with Internet Explorer. Windows Explorer is the user interface to Windows, the operating system! IE is just a browser. Windows Explorer allows you to see your desktop and manipulate files and folders.That was done when XP was re-installed. If Windows Explorer was corrupted, Windows would not work.

It is great that you keep your system cleaned of heat trapping dust, but this could still be a heat problem, perhaps a failing component struggling with "normal" heat. You might try blasting a desk fan in there. What are your temperatures?

Does it halt at the same point every time?

How is your page file set up?

Those memory testers are good, but not perfect. I have never seen them falsely report RAM as bad, but I have seen them report no problems, when in fact there was. RAM modules can test good, but still not play well together. I would pull 2Gb and try running with that and see what happens. If it fails, swap out that 2Gb for the other 2Gb and see what happens.

__________________
Bill (AFE7Ret)
Freedom is NOT Free!

Heat is the bane of all electronics!
─────────────────────

Please help us help you.

Thanks Digerati,

I have tried swapping out the RAM and the result so far is good, but not quite a clear solution.

I removed two sticks of 1GB RAM (from the LH DIMM sockets) and wonders!!! the system worked perfectly. First I copied a large working directory from one drive to another and then successfully imported a 2GB video file.

It all got a bit complicated after that as I then tried to find out which stick of RAM was suspect. Cut a long story short it appears that the problem might be the LH DIMM sockets as even when I put the "good" RAM in the LH DIMM sockets the files fail to copy and the machine locks up. Putting the suspect RAM in the RH DIMM sockets still causes a problem.

So for the moment I will just use 2GB of RAM in the RH receptacles, I might experiment a little further as the LH DIMM sockets are very tight and I may not have seated the RAM properly, I was a little suprised to find that the two sets of DIMM sockets are different (colour and locking mechanism).

If I can show that the RH DIMM sockets then I will buy 4 new sticks of 1GB 400Hz RAM (from a reputable source) as it seems that the RAM I have is a bit suspect.


With all the RAM included the system locks up at apparently random times.


- How do I find this out, please? I am not a computer expert.

Kind regards

Martin

Different color sockets makes sense as that allows users to easily determine which "pair" to use for dual-channel memory.

The different locking mechanisms concerns me. What is the make and model number of the motherboard?

Although I don't think this is your problem now, to check your PF, right click on My Computer > Properties > Advanced
In the Performance section, click on Settings > Advanced
Under Virtual Memory, click Change to view settings for each drive
Click Cancel and the necessary OK buttons to back out without making changes.

__________________
Bill (AFE7Ret)
Freedom is NOT Free!

Heat is the bane of all electronics!
─────────────────────

Please help us help you.

The mother board is an NFORCE4-A939, and I notice in the handbook that the DIMM sockets all look the same.

Even with just the 2GB RAM render times seem to be about the same!

I will try checking out the other two DIMM sockets with the RAM that I know works! Its just that I don't like changing a system that I know works!

Kind regards

Martin