Computer Randomly Freezes

Hey, my windows xp seems to randomly lock up. Sometimes, it'll lock up two minutes after starting my computer. Other times, it'll lock up after an hour or two of use. I have scanned for viruses, checked for spyware, defragged, and checked for errors, but none of them seemed to do anything. Does anyone have any ideas?

 

Hello HyperGuy welcome to the board
You could try Start> Run> SFC /Scannow (note the space.) Have your Windows CD handy.

 

I just tried that a few times. My computer keeps locking up while its searching. Is there any way i can save the progress and continue it when i restart?

EDIT: I'll try running it in safe mode and see if that works.

 

I don't know about that You could run it in safe mode.

 

ok, i finally finished the test and the bar just disapeared when it was done. my computer still freezes

 

Nasty problem.
Have you tried booting into the bios and leaving it on the temperature monitor screen to see if it's maybe a heat problem.
If the temp is stable does it stay up for a few hours, ie pointing problem to be definitely with the OS?

 

The temperature seems to stay within 100 - 114*F. Is this too high for a p4? I think it's a software problem because (so far anyways) it hasnt frozen in safe mode. Could this be some sort of virus?

EDIT: It just froze in safe mode . I guess it's probably a hardware problem then?

 

Maybe. Not near enough information to pin down the problem.

start~run~eventvwr.msc and see if the event logs have any details that will help.

Also, earlier you mentioned the possiblility of a virus. Have you run a scan?

 

Wow, theres a lot of errors. Here's the last few...

Hanging application mmc.exe, version 5.1.2600.0, hang module ntdll.dll, version 5.1.2600.1217, hang address 0x00018690.

For more information, see Help and Support Center at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.


Hanging application mmc.exe, version 5.1.2600.0, hang module ntdll.dll, version 5.1.2600.1217, hang address 0x00018690.

For more information, see Help and Support Center at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.

The COM+ Event System detected a bad return code during its internal processing. HRESULT was 80070422 from line 44 of d:\nt\com\com1x\src\events\tier1\eventsystemobj.cpp. Please contact Microsoft Product Support Services to report this error.

For more information, see Help and Support Center at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.


The COM+ Event System detected a bad return code during its internal processing. HRESULT was 80070422 from line 44 of d:\nt\com\com1x\src\events\tier1\eventsystemobj.cpp. Please contact Microsoft Product Support Services to report this error.

For more information, see Help and Support Center at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.


The COM+ Event System detected a bad return code during its internal processing. HRESULT was 80070422 from line 44 of d:\nt\com\com1x\src\events\tier1\eventsystemobj.cpp. Please contact Microsoft Product Support Services to report this error.

For more information, see Help and Support Center at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.



The COM+ Event System detected a bad return code during its internal processing. HRESULT was 80070422 from line 44 of d:\nt\com\com1x\src\events\tier1\eventsystemobj.cpp. Please contact Microsoft Product Support Services to report this error.

For more information, see Help and Support Center at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.

And yes, i have done a scan. It didn't find anything.

 

100-144 seems ok, mine runs about 99 unless it's working hard, but it has a bigger fan on it.
Still may be worth going into the bios from switch-on, leaving it on the hardware monitor so you can see it's working and leave it for a few hours.
If it freezes then you know it's a hardware fault, could try reseating the ram maybe and vga card etc.

 

ok thanks... ill try that in a few min

 

HyperGuy,
I know how frustrating random computer freezes are, and they are just as hard to nail down as Jello to a tree. Did you recently install any new hardware or software? Have you tried a System Restore to a known good working date? When you say "freeze ", do you mean just the mouse, keyboard or whole system? Does the comp reboot correctly? Do all your backups while you can, because you might have a hardware problem.

Your temperatures seem fine, but use Motherboard Monitor to keep an eye on your temps while you are using the computer. The program puts the numbers right in the "notification area" so that they are visible all the time.

Things to check:
1. All cables connected securely
2. If you use Roxio (Easy CD Creator) make sure you have the updates from the website, and if necessary, just to rule it out, uninstall it temporarily and reboot. See if your system still freezes w/o it.
3. Unplug any peripherals (printers, scanners, cameras etc) one at a time
4. Download and install AdAware and Spybot (Use the Quicklinks in Newt's signature) Update, run, and delete all they check by default.
5. Go into the control panel and under Power Options, set everything to shut off "never ", disable Hibernation.
6. If you are using a "theme" or a screensaver, turn it off temporarily
7. In Control Panel> System go into your device manager and check for any errors (yellow triangles) update any drivers, or roll back any you recently updated.
8. Does your house have "brownouts "? Do the lights flicker? Over time, that can damage the mobo.

Post back and let us know how it's going.
HTH
Johanna

 

Hey, thanks for the advice. I already have motherboard moniter installed i dont think the temperature is the problem ive never seen it go over 116*F. When my system freezes, it is completely unresponsive. Even cap lock doesnt light up and down. I dont have any files that important to me. The only software i have is office 2003 and trend micro internet security, which I have the disks for. I will try the power thing, and see if it makes a difference. I don't have any printers connected. My house doesn't have any brownouts, and I already use adware and spybot. I will try all your advice, and see if anything changes.

 

Several of the event log entries look interesting.

What I'd suggest for them is to clear all your logs (probably three of them but maybe more) to get a fresh start.

Then after the next freeze, take another look. Any that appear related or just strange but at about the time of the freeze need a closer look.

Open the event, click on the icon below the up/down arrows (sends a text copy to the clipboard), and paste the contents in a reply here. That way we see all the information and you don't have lots of typing to do.

 

Okay, my comp just froze but there are no errors around the time of the freeze.

 

Well Dang. Was hoping for some hints there.

Now I agree it is likely a hardware issue. Not my strongest area but memory comes to mind.

If you have multiple memory sticks, try removing all but one and see if that stops the problem. Or maybe one of the memory testing utilities that are available although I'm never sure if they do a really good job of testing.

 

Where can I find one of these memory testing utilities?

 

From a google search for memory testing utilities I got

Results 1 - 10 of about 1,760,000 English pages for memory testing utilities

 

lol... sorry i didnt think of that. ill look

 

:d :d