Imac 333 Problem, repeated crashes Options

[MOLLOWITZ]

i currently own an imac 333 with a 6gb hard drive, 160MB RAM, running system 9.2. basically, the only program i can run is ProTools Free. the computer has some kind of hardware problem (i don't think it's software because it does the same thing with basic system software installed) that causes it to crash repeatedly for no reason. i use ProTools for recording my band with a direct interface from the amp to the computer and then burn the bounced audio to an external burner with toast.
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anyway, it's very annoying to have the computer crash most of the time when you try to open the 'sound' control panel or toast, and all the other applications besides ProTools.
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the computer was examined by apple service people and they thought that it was either the logic board or the cd drive causing the problems (the only reason i didn't replace these components is because they still weren't sure that was the problem). apple diagnostic tests were run and revealed that there were no 'bad blocks' in the disk. the computer has been continually maintained with Norton Utilities and DiskWarrior, and i routinely optimize and rebuild the disk at least once a month. when i run DiskWarrior (once a month) the graph shows that over 33% is out of order- this is odd considering that all i do on it is record with ProTools!
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if anyone else has had a problem similar to this please help!
i am considering purchasing a used ibook 500mhz/20gb/256mb RAM (to be used for audio) if this computer can't be fixed.

thanks in advance-

cody

[dixiechicken]

You should be able to reformat the harddrive by booting your iMac from the original CD
( hold down the C-key -- while booting ) that came with it.

The Apple disk tool should be on the cd use it to format the hd,
or better yet buy a newer bigger drive - a Maxtor 60Gb -
a 6Gb drive is not very much when working with audio.

If your computer still crashes on you after a new formatted newly-bought hd-install,
you most likely got another hardware-problem.

1) the logic board
2) the cd-drive
3) the ram-memory
4) the powerpack
( thats a tricky one - can result in all kinds of weird errors - not very common though )

Bout the only thing that can be done after trying earlier advice on this list, is to keep changing
parts above, until the damn thing works.
Might in the end be cheaper to buy a new computer - watch your repair budget.

Cheers: Dixiechicken