1. You are viewing our forum as a guest. For full access please Register. WindowsBBS.com is completely free, paid for by advertisers and donations.

system freezes

Discussion in 'Windows XP' started by rgn, 2007/09/01.

Page 1 of 2
  1. 2007/09/01
    rgn

    rgn Inactive Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2002/01/07
    Messages:
    212
    Likes Received:
    0
    My Gateway with XP home, SP2, 768 mgs of RAM, freezes after about 5 min. The cursor freezes, and I have to reboot. I let it set for 20-30 min. and start again. Let it set, and it freezes. I haven't tried to keep working on it to see if it freezes. I removed a recently install software program, Family Tree Maker, which we have had for years. This was a new update version of the program. I removed it, but it froze again. I'm running a defrag right now. Did a clean up. I have a new hard drive, about 6 months old. Do you have any ideas what it could be?
    Thanks,
    Bob
     
    rgn,
    #1
  2. 2007/09/01
    Arie

    Arie Administrator Administrator Staff

    Joined:
    2001/12/27
    Messages:
    15,174
    Likes Received:
    412
    Right click the Taskbar and click Task Manager. Select the Processes tab and click the CPU column, so that processes are listed according to their CPU usage (high CPU usage at the top). Leave Task Manager running & when your system freezes you could possibly see which task is listed near the top & how much CPU time it is using.

    Failing that, I suggest reading through this post, then post a HijackThis log in the Removing Spyware & Viruses forum.
     
    Arie,
    #2


  3. to hide this advert.

  4. 2007/09/01
    rgn

    rgn Inactive Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2002/01/07
    Messages:
    212
    Likes Received:
    0
    One other thing that happened yesterday. I came home to a frozen system, and the screen saver we use was removed from the list.
    Thanks,
    Bob
     
    rgn,
    #3
  5. 2007/09/01
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

    Joined:
    2002/05/10
    Messages:
    28,896
    Likes Received:
    389
    Bob - stick with one thread please - merged.
     
    PeteC,
    #4
  6. 2007/09/01
    rgn

    rgn Inactive Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2002/01/07
    Messages:
    212
    Likes Received:
    0
    I thought the screen saver was part of the freeze up. Because it dissappeared.
     
    rgn,
    #5
  7. 2007/09/01
    rgn

    rgn Inactive Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2002/01/07
    Messages:
    212
    Likes Received:
    0
    The system crashes before to long. Only way it will boot up is pressing f8 when it's booting up. Then, open windows normally. But, before too long it freezes up again.
     
    rgn,
    #6
  8. 2007/09/01
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

    Joined:
    2002/05/10
    Messages:
    28,896
    Likes Received:
    389
    Would you check out the temps and voltages using Everest - Computer > Sensor and post the readings.
     
    PeteC,
    #7
  9. 2007/09/01
    rgn

    rgn Inactive Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2002/01/07
    Messages:
    212
    Likes Received:
    0
    The system locks up after 5 minutes.
     
    rgn,
    #8
  10. 2007/09/01
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

    Joined:
    2002/05/10
    Messages:
    28,896
    Likes Received:
    389
    That should be time enough to get the readings. I assume you are posting from another computer?
     
    PeteC,
    #9
  11. 2007/09/01
    rgn

    rgn Inactive Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2002/01/07
    Messages:
    212
    Likes Received:
    0
    It only gave me two minutes that time. Just got to the webpage.
     
    rgn,
    #10
  12. 2007/09/01
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

    Joined:
    2002/05/10
    Messages:
    28,896
    Likes Received:
    389
    Houston - we have a problem :)
     
    PeteC,
    #11
  13. 2007/09/01
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

    Joined:
    2002/05/10
    Messages:
    28,896
    Likes Received:
    389
    OK - another approach .....

    Remove the side of the case and check that the CPU fan is running. It may be freezing up on overheat - if that isn't a contradiction of terms :)
     
    PeteC,
    #12
  14. 2007/09/02
    rgn

    rgn Inactive Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2002/01/07
    Messages:
    212
    Likes Received:
    0
    Thanks, I'll check that out today! It is about 6 years old, so anything is possible.
    Bob
     
    rgn,
    #13
  15. 2007/09/02
    rgn

    rgn Inactive Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2002/01/07
    Messages:
    212
    Likes Received:
    0
    The CPU fan is running! Some times it will work for 4 to8 hrs., and then maybe just 2 to 3 minutes!
    Bob
     
    rgn,
    #14
  16. 2007/09/02
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

    Joined:
    2002/05/10
    Messages:
    28,896
    Likes Received:
    389
    How comfortable would you be inside the case if I suggested removing and refitting one or two components? - contacts may be iffy after 6 years.
     
    PeteC,
    #15
  17. 2007/09/02
    rgn

    rgn Inactive Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2002/01/07
    Messages:
    212
    Likes Received:
    0
    I'm pretty comfortable with replacing hardware. What's next?
     
    rgn,
    #16
  18. 2007/09/03
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

    Joined:
    2002/05/10
    Messages:
    28,896
    Likes Received:
    389
    OK - Remove/reconnect all cables and power lines one by one - at both ends - this should remove any corrosion/oxidation build up from the past 6 years

    Carefully remove the RAM, clean the contacts with a soft pencil eraser, check the slots are free from dust and refit.

    Do the same with any other plug in cards.

    While you are inside the case check out the heatsink on the CPU ( Do not remove the heatsink) for dust build up. Use a wooden toothpick/coctail stick to clean out between the fins of the heat sink and blow out the dust - restrain the fan from turning while blowing out.

    If you can get it running long enough to run Everest as I posted earlier, that would be helpful.

    Check out the memory using Windows Memory Diagnostic or Memtest - both run at boot from a floppy or CD, but note please ....
    Also follow Arie's suggestion if none of the above are helpful in resolving the problem.
     
    PeteC,
    #17
  19. 2007/09/03
    visionof

    visionof Inactive

    Joined:
    2006/11/12
    Messages:
    778
    Likes Received:
    5
    Overheating - cleaning fan

    Its amazing how little dust ( or lint) it takes on the fins of the cpu cooler even with a working fan to increase cpu temperature
    Its like a car radiator
    You can blow it with compressed air or vacuum it with a good vacuum and the long thin hose
    As a start for a test you can also take the side off and let it run that way
    Usually in the bios is a system health area with cpu temp
    Pet hairs - especially dog hairs can be a real culprit - even doing in a computer
    by blocking air flow at the vents / case fans
    Like the others i would recommend taking out the cards
    Clean the contacts
    Replace the cards one a time to see where freezing may occur
     
    visionof,
    #18
  20. 2007/09/05
    rgn

    rgn Inactive Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2002/01/07
    Messages:
    212
    Likes Received:
    0
    I blew out the dust bunnies, and cleaned the blades of the heat sink. Cleaned the contacts on all the cards. Blew out the sockets for the cards, and did a general cleaning. It has been running since 10 am this morning. No freeze up yet. Hope that was the problem.
    Bob
     
    rgn,
    #19
  21. 2007/09/05
    noahdfear

    noahdfear Inactive

    Joined:
    2003/04/06
    Messages:
    12,178
    Likes Received:
    15
    Just for the record, no vacuuming inside the case of a computer! A vacuum cleaner, generally with a plastic nozzle, can create static electricity which can easily 'jump' to any one of the components, thereby leaving your computer dead in the water.
     
    noahdfear,
    #20
Page 1 of 2

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Accept Learn More...