I've posted this here since I am yet to determine the actual cause of the problem as it seems to happen at various points whenever I'm running Windows XP. Basically the computer will freeze for no apparent reason, forcing me to press the computers reset button to start again. As well as this it sometimes, though rarely, blue screens before restarting again. It also freezes sometimes on bootup and I have no idea why this is the case. I wondered if any such problem had occured previously or if anyone knew the best way to combat this. Thank you in advance.
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Temperature Detection
Periodic lock up of system.
May be an indication of an overheating issue
http://mbm.livewiredev.com
run this at startup to check your temps,fan speeds, etc.
Has built in alarms when temp exceeds predefined value.
takes time to configure - read the help file.
OR
http://www.snapfiles.com/g
Everest Home Edition - system information tool
If your motherboard has sensors, Everest will detect them.
I'm unsure as to whether the problem is related to overheating. Reasons for this are that it might freeze, I'll restart and then it won't freeze again until I come to turn it off, sometimes quite a few hours later. Also, it tended to freeze more when running a game, though did too freeze when this game was not running. (suggesting the game is not at fault.) Could it perhaps be something to do with the memory?
Could be. Do you want to test the ram? Here are some tools to do that....but freezing of system is usually from overheating....
Windows Memory Diagnostic
http://oca.microsoft.com/e
Exceprt:
The Windows Memory Diagnostic tests the Random Access Memory (RAM) on your computer for errors. The diagnostic includes a comprehensive set of memory tests. If you are experiencing problems while running Windows, you can use the diagnostic to determine whether the problems are caused by failing hardware, such as RAM or the memory system of your motherboard. Windows Memory Diagnostic is designed to be easy and fast. On most configurations, you can download the diagnostic, read the documentation, run the test and complete the first test pass in less than 30 minutes.
Test the RAM
If you can, swap out the RAM with known good modules for testing. If you can't do that then test the machine with one RAM module at a time until you tested every module. Then, run the the following RAM testers.
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NOTE IF THIS DOESN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE RAM THIS DOESN'T MEAN THE RAM IS GOOD you would need to swap out the RAM with known good modules for testing. However if it does find something wrong then chances are the RAM is bad.
DocMemory PC RAM
Diagnostic Software
http://www.simmtester.com/
or
http://www.memtest86.com/
or
GoldMemory
http://www.goldmemory.cz/
Well spyware may be in play here, but I haven't seen many instances where it causes your system to freeze up.
Have you scanned for spyware and adware?
+++++++++++++++++++++++++
Here are some links if you have not done so:
Spyware/Adware removal tools:
I usually use SpyBot-S&D and Ad-aware. CWShredder is also useful You need to run at least two of these applications to clean up your system. Make sure you get the up-to-date reference files.
--------------------------
SpyBot-S&D : http://www.safer-networkin
Ad-aware : http://www.lavasoftusa.com
CWShredder: http://www.spywareinfo.com
HijackThis : http://www.spychecker.com/
I think the problem was down to the connection of the hard drive inside the computer. I removed the sides and moved the hard drive up one level, since it was low down in the computer and the wires only just reached the port. After moving it up and relieving the tension of the wires, so far the computer has not frozen so I believe this was likely to be the problem. Thank you for your continued help in the matter and apologies the points went to waste.
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by: gemartiPosted on 2004-06-26 at 08:26:45ID: 11405824
General System Overheating Problems
http://www.pcguide.com/ts/