Resolved Abending when defrag, watching videos, otherwise

I have been experiencing abends when looking at YouTube videos (sometimes).

Now, these abends occur with attempting to Microsoft Defrag. While Analysing, the computer will suddenly crash -- no abend message, just a complete shutdown. This is a recent problem, and is consistent. The same thing occurs when running a straight Defragment. The same result occurs in Safemode, when running Norton Utilities in order to run the Defrag in that mode.

Note I also abend after a while in Norton Utilities when the Register Monitor is on.

Note as well that these abends started before I put Norton Utilities on my PC.

After the abend, I can bring the computer back up. Sometimes it asks for a CHKDSK -- which sometimes finds a problem to solve, and other times not. The CHKDSK runs, and then everything is fine until the next time. Other times, no CHKDSK is run, and the computer boots cleanly.

If I stick to e-mails and normal website viewing (no videos), no problem -- so far.

I am especially concerned that I can no longer run a Defrag on my computer without an abend.

Any ideas or solutions?

Brian

 

Steve,

Abend = abnormal ending of the computer execution. I am running a 4-year-old Windows XP (Acer). What happens is that the screen goes dark, and the computer shuts off. I can restart it by pressing the start button on the PC. No message is provided as to why this occurs.

By the way, I also have attempted to increase the Virtual Memory thinking it might be a memory problem. I change the Virtual Memory with the Control Panel/System option. However, the abending problem still occurs.

 

Steve, thanks for your input.

It sounds, with an issue of overheating and/or weak power supply, that the computer is starting to fail. This is a worsening problem over time.

I did uncheck the Automatically Restart flag in System/System Failure. I did not, however, see a quick flash of any message. Just a black screen and shutdown. Let us see if I can see a message when it crashes again.

I did notice on the System/System Failure screen that there was Minidump created. It gets placed in the system root/Minidump folder. However, I could not find that Minidump file. Do you know where it is?

Again, thanks.

 

Hi Steve (or other support personnel),

I did turn off the 'automatic restart' flag after a system failure on the System/System Failure screen. No improvement or change. It did not allow any further information/error code to appear, as per what happened today, Sunday...

Today, Sunday, a video attached to a news item (3 minutes long) crashed the computer after about two minutes. The turning off of the Automatic Restart did not make an error code screen visible -- the crash occurred in the same manner, suddenly with no warning -- the screen goes black and the computer shuts down at the same time. I restarted, and as usual was able to resume my work after a CHKDSK was automatically run, which corrected a temporary entry on the C: disk. That is a standard result after this crash. It does not solve the problem -- and neither does Norton Utilities. As a matter of fact, Norton Utilities actually worsens the problem, with more frequent occurrence of the crash, particularly if the Online Registry Monitor is running. I have to turn that Monitor off. If the Monitor is on, even e-mail reading tends to crash. Otherwise, if it is off, I can still read/answer e-mails and browse the web without videos.

Any ideas, anyone, as to how to solve this sudden crash when attempting a defrag or watching a video? As noted, the defrag problem is recent; the video problem has been a more and more frequent one. The crash leaves no error code -- the computer just goes black and shuts down.

 

Crashing PC when defrag or watching videos

Turning off the Automatic Restart flag in the System/System Failure panel did not produce a more detailed error code or information prior to the blacking out of the screen and the hard shut down. Thoughts on the problem?

 

Value of checking voltage of PC

I am not sure what the value of checking the voltage of the PC would be. If the problem is not a Windows or other software problem, then as you suggest it is a hardware problem in terms of voltage. What I do not understand is why this problem has not occurred for years, and now is quite frequent. I do not think the voltage has changed -- but correct me if I am wrong about that.

Also, if the problem is voltage or electrical, then any repairs (out of warranty) by the manufacturer would likely cost more than a new PC. Correct?

My strategy right now is to use the PC for my mail and web-browsing. I can avoid videos, and instead of MS-defrags, run my Norton Utilities to clean the disk and register.

Your thoughts?

 

PC Laptops with longer lasting electrical systems

Fine, I understood that before regarding any electrical systems. I just wanted to determine if the problem was one that could be fixed via software, or if the PC laptop was on its last legs.

Do you have a recommendation regarding particular PCs (or PC configurations) that would have a longer life for their electrical system? This PC has lasted 4 years, which is about normal. Are there longer lasting ones?

 

Finding the voltage information on SIW or in BIOS

I understand. I have used the SIW, but could not find under BIOS the Voltage information. Could you let me know where I find it?

 

I do not see it under SIW Sensors. I see the following temperature information. How do I access the BIOS information?

Sensor Value Min Max
ACER-2E68C49B20
ACPI
Temperatures
THRM 65 °C (148 °F) 64 °C (147 °F) 68 °C (154 °F)
Mobile AMD Sempron 3000+
Temperatures
Core #0 65 °C (148 °F) 65 °C (148 °F) 70 °C (157 °F)
HTS541080G9AT00
Temperatures
HDD 38 °C (100 °F) 38 °C (100 °F) 38 °C (100 °F)

 

I just checked my BIOS under POST when booting. I could not find the voltage at all. Ideas?

 

Given I cannot get the voltage info, what then?

I understand. Then, after this discussion, what are your views on what the problem likely is regarding the crashes? Also, what do you suggest as a resolution of the problem? Or is it a case that the PC has a weakening electrical system, and is on its last legs?

Also, can you recommend a configuration of a PC that would have a more robust and longer-lasting electrical system? It is a shame that a perfectly good PC is failing due to the electrical system slowly breaking down. Is there a particular brand of PC that is known for a stronger electrical system (you do not have to flame any brand that is not as good, just a positive recommendation)?