Computer help please (locking up)

[Ribby Paultz]

My desktop locks up randomly about 4-7 times a day. I decided to format C and reinstall windows. I used the file transfer wizzard to transfer things like email and a few other files. It's still doing the same ****. I keep my room cold so I doubt it could be overheating. Any ideas?

 

[blacklab]

Usually that's caused by overheating. I don't care how cold you keep your room if the fans aren't turning on your laptop it will overheat. Make sure your vents are clear too. There are a few utilities out there to track your cpu temp. You may want to download one and watch your temp.

 

[idigTexas]

Random lock-ups can be hard to diagnose. You've effectively eliminated a corrupt OS, though if you are using the exact same drivers that you were using before, you may not have completely ruled out a software problem. Make sure you have the latest drivers that are available for your system, especially the chipset, video, and audio devices. You should also consider updating your BIOS if it needs it, and you may want to set it for the fail safe options to see if that helps.

Ruling out software issues, you can turn your attention to the hardware. As blacklab noted, overheating is frequently to blame for this type of behavior. I'd try running the system without the cover for a period of time to see if the issue goes away. You may even want to direct a floor fan toward the open case.

If this doesn't solve your problem, I'd suspect the RAM. If you have multiple modules, I'd try one at a time to see if that alleviates your lock-ups. Obviously your system will run more slowly with less RAM, but you are just identifying the problem right now. If your problem goes away, you may have a bad stick, or you may be using 2 or more sticks that don't get along well together (always try to use the same make and model of RAM when using multiple modules). It is a good idea to check the motherboard manufacturer's web site for a list of compatible memory.

If it isn't the RAM, make sure that you are running your system and video card within spec (no overclocking).

Other than that, you have a lemon. Time for an upgrade.

 

[Ribby Paultz]

idig, I have tried just about everything you mentioned.

The cover is off my machine and I can see all 3 fans kickin.

I am pretty sure all my drivers are up to date, but I can check.

I do have 2 sticks of RAM and it doesnt seem to matter what stick is in there.

I have had this thing for about a year now. It did start happening about the time I got wireless, but that driver is up to date. This is driving me nuts.

 

[idigTexas]

Do you have a wireless PCI adapter, or is it USB? If it is the PCI version, remove it. In fact, remove all peripherals that aren't necessary to have basic functionality, and disable all unnecessary onboard devices in the BIOS. If that works, add them back one at a time until the problem resurfaces. If that doesn't work, you are likely dealing with a faulty motherboard.

 

[TexasOwnzYou]

run a ram test fromThe Link

 

[hollisdude]

This just sounds way more like a software issue than hardware. Not to spoil ram tests etc., but I assume you're running XP. Have you loaded SP2? Have you run a full and complete virusscan on C? Do you have a firewall running all the time? What are you doing when it locks? When it locks, what actually does the screen show?

 

[Ribby Paultz]

I am running xp with sp2. I have run a full and complete virus scan with Norton. Comes back negative. The locks are totaly random. They can happen when I am surfing or sleeping. When it locks, it just locks. The screen stays the same, but I cant move the mouse or ctrl-alt-delete out of it.

 

[UTinBigD]

some virus checkers dont check for spyware. if you have never checked, they can cause your system to lock up. One of my comps that is hooked to a TV kept locking up and i finally installed adaware and removed a ton of data miners that were on it. Runs like a champ now.

 

[Bob Wills]

Any idea what your motherboard is? Maybe MBM 5 can notify you if your system is overheating. (Some mobos will shut off automatically if the temp goes over a certain point while others will just allow the heat to build and exhibit symptoms of freezing.)

Other than that, what all apps have you installed in the past 30 days?

 

[hollisdude]

if the locks are random like that - then it does sound like a driver issue somewhere.

 

[CaptainObvious]

If it locks up frequently enough you could let it sit at BIOS overnight. Check in the morning, if it's locked there you'll know for sure if it's a HW problem.

 

[Orange&White]

MY laptop was doing this to me a few months back. On a Hornfans recomendation, I went to the Sony site (its a Sony laptop) and found the latest BIOS update for my model number. I downloaded that and ran the very easy intall and it worked great.