Sudden computer freeze...and barely reboots!

[Xcusme]

Re: Sudden computer freeze...and barely reboots!

I'll usually remove the CPU fan and toss the 'bubble gum' factory heat sink tape or compound and go with my own thermal paste. Most folks think that if 2 aspirins is good , than 10 is better. This is not he case with thermal heat sink compound, don't over do it, very thin even coat. I clean the CPU and cooler with Acetone before the new compound and make sure cooler fins are clear.

You can do a Control-Alt-Delete and run Task Manager too. Look to see if you have any processes eating up CPU cycles and taxing your system.

Just some random thoughts......

 

[j_martin]

Re: Sudden computer freeze...and barely reboots!

Swap out the power supply to test it. You can just wire one in, maybe borrow it from another computer. If you can't verify that power is good, you might as well shovel sand at it to try to repair it. If you continue to try to operate it as is, you'll do some serious damage to yer system. Maybe you already have.

Next I would be to run a memory tester. I use memtest86 plus.

Figure out how to watch the post messages. If there's any notice of error in POST, it's very significant.

Lately, on some hard drives, we've been seeing trouble with corrupt firmware on the hard drive. Haven't figured out if it's a virus, or just bad product, but data recovery from one cost us $600.00. One of the systems ate a memory stick also.

hope it helps
John

 

[waterinthefuel]

Re: Sudden computer freeze...and barely reboots!

I really don't think it's the power supply, as if it was, rebooting the computer and unchecking the startup group items wouldn't solve the problem, but it does. It's one of the programs my computer loads at startup that is causing the issue. Finding which one is going to be a ***** though.

Anyway, I have no way of checking the PS other than sending it away to the manufacturer and thus being down until I get it back. This is pretty much unacceptable because I use the computer for my projects for school. I have to try to diagnose as best I can with parts I have available and not something I would have to send off. I think everything is working fine anyway, I think the problem is the program, whatever program that might be.​

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: Sudden computer freeze...and barely reboots!

If you're out of ideas, you could turn on boot logging and see if that produces anything interesting.

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: Sudden computer freeze...and barely reboots!

Water can you identify just how many types of ram you have that is more than one brand....are all of the sticks the same size and type and lastly xp will not reconize more than 3.5 gigs and even a hardcore gamer that run very fast comps will all agree that 2 gigs is the sweet spot.

http://www.extreme.outervision.com/

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[waterinthefuel]

Re: Sudden computer freeze...and barely reboots!

Since you guys really bent over backwards to help me with this finicky computer, I decided to update you and let you know what I've found.

Remember the problem with it freezing on the POST, and people saying it was the power supply? Well, it said you can hit "tab" to enter the POST menu and you can see whats going on. I noticed when it would get to one of my DVD rom drives, it would stop. I would reboot the machine a few times trying to get it to work, and eventually it would if I reset the CMOS using the button on the motherboard. Well, I went to use the suspect DVD rom drive and it didn't work. I unplugged the drive and the computer worked great. I called tech support and he had me do some steps in my registry and the DVD rom drive is working again and the computer no longer hangs in POST. I will copy and paste the directions he gave me incase anyone else has this weird problem.

Click start, run, type in regedit, left side menu double click hkey local machine, click system, click current control set, click control, click class, select folder named 4d36e965 folder, right click on export, right hand side remove upper and lower filters.