I have been to hell and back. 2 weeks ago I returned my computer no less than 6 times. Each time I was offered a different theory and yet I was still no further in getting the problem fixed.
I been getting IRQL driver errors which one Saleperson thought could be due to a hardware problem related to my soundcard. Everytime I use an application such as WMP, Power DVD and PJ64 (Though sometimes for no reason at all) I have been getting these blue screen IRQL errors or my computer has frozen or crashed.
He thought moving the sound card to a another PCI port would resolve the situation. The other salesman, however, was more dubious and thought it was either a software error or more likely just my imagination as he so cooly insinuated. When I finally demonstrated the error (To my glee) they finally agreed that there was something (Really!) wrong with it and sent me on a merry 45 min trip to their tech guy (Courier guy was on holidays).
The tech guy could find no hardware faults and came to the same conclusion that Windows XP was corrupted. Indeed, for a long time, my computer had been operating like a donkey ridden by a donkey - totally f**cked up. Though I initially thought it was because of low RAM.
Anyway, the tech guy set up a new BIOS and kept my old one in case I had to go back fo some reason! Imagination my anger when I started it up and proceeded to install my programs when it suddenly crashed. After a few phone calls to the tech guy I finally isloated the problem (I think), my external hardrive. For some reason it is not recognized when plugged into some of the USB ports. When plugged in these suspect ports the computer refuses to reboot. I have to yank it out for windows to restart.
Which brings me to this question. If it's not a software problem or XP isn't corrupted is it a hardware problem? Or is my external Maxtor 3100 Personal Storage hard drive faulty? Or the fact this problem happens alot when I change my WMP tracks quickly or exit fast from applications using Maxtor's drive means it's too slow and that is why it's crashing? If so would a high speed USB hub speed up connection and fix the problem of crashing/freezing?
The fact that the guy reinstalled windows suggests it isn't a software problem but if it isn't a hardware or driver issue (Nothing shows up in dxdiag, apart from the maxtor device not connecting in some of the usb ports) then what the hell is it?
Fricken Gremlins?