dell dimension 4400 freezing

[T.B.]

i've got a Dell desktop running XP Pro and all of a sudden yesterday, it
just started randomly freezing up. I can't Ctrl Alt Delete out of it
either. In order to get out of the freeze, I have to unplug the tower and
then replug it in and reboot. it will run fine for a period of time,
sometimes a 1/2 hour, other times longer, but eventually it'll freeze up
again. I am in the process of backing up all of my data, but need to figure
out what is causing this. The hard drive was just replaced by dell about 3
months ago, but I am still going to run some diagnostics on it to see if
it's ok. I suspect it could also be failing RAM, how do I check that?
Also, what else should I be looking for/testing?

thanks
TB

 

[Wayne Morgan]

Unfortunately, check for Spy Ware. The common utilities out there will get
most of it, but not all. Different utilities will catch different items, but
some of it I've had to search out and destroy manually. Also, the way some
of it keeps copying itself to a new name and rewriting itself into the
registry every time it is shut down, it can be difficult to track down. I've
done it, but it gets to the point that a clean install would have been
quicker

If a clean install solves the problem (on a spare drive if you have one)
then the problem is either the current drive or something in the install
such as Spy Ware. If that doesn't solve the problem, then you have other
hardware issues, such as bad memory.

 

[T.B.]

I have already run all spyware checks i could think of including AdAware,
Spybot, MS Beta, and Windows Washer. Also, another group i posted to said
that if it was RAM, it would blue screen, not lockup.

TB

 

[kony]

i've got a Dell desktop running XP Pro and all of a sudden yesterday, it
just started randomly freezing up. I can't Ctrl Alt Delete out of it
either. In order to get out of the freeze, I have to unplug the tower and
then replug it in and reboot.

To confirm, you cannot simply use the case power switch to
turn system off? Or, can you turn it off with case switch
but then not back on till AC is disconnected/reconnected?

it will run fine for a period of time,
sometimes a 1/2 hour, other times longer, but eventually it'll freeze up
again.

Have you opened and inspected it yet?
Checked the fans?

Do you have a multimeter you could use to check voltages?

I am in the process of backing up all of my data, but need to figure
out what is causing this. The hard drive was just replaced by dell about 3
months ago, but I am still going to run some diagnostics on it to see if
it's ok. I suspect it could also be failing RAM, how do I check that?
Also, what else should I be looking for/testing?

RAM problems won't generally cause this. Neither would
(most) drive problems. More likely heat or power problem.
Does the XP Event Viewer show anything? Do you have a
hardware monitor type application you can watch to see if
any readings go out of bounds?

 

[WebWalker]

Does you run any particular programs before you system freeze?
Can you get your CPU temperature?

 

[T.B.]

the front of case power switch will not turn the power off.

As far as opening the case, I am a remote system admin, and will not be at
the physical location until tomorrow. the user did say the PSU fan seemed
to be working properly though. It still could be the CPU fan though; which
is what I was going to check first.

And yes, I do have a multi-meter to check voltages, but have never been very
good at figuring out exactly how to use it. Any links and/or advice here?

I haven't checked the Event Viewer logs, but will first thing tomorrow.
Also, what sort of hardware monitoring software could you recommend? Any
freeware or shareware?

TB

 

[T.B.]

no particular programs from what the user described. I will get the CPU
temp tomorrow when at the physical location. Hopefully it's a fan or
something, but if not, i'll post back here for more suggestions.

thanks for all the advice so far.

appreciated,

TB

 

[RS]

i've got a Dell desktop running XP Pro and all of a sudden yesterday, it
just started randomly freezing up. I can't Ctrl Alt Delete out of it
either. In order to get out of the freeze, I have to unplug the tower and
then replug it in and reboot. it will run fine for a period of time,
sometimes a 1/2 hour, other times longer, but eventually it'll freeze up
again. I am in the process of backing up all of my data, but need to
figure
out what is causing this. The hard drive was just replaced by dell about
3
months ago, but I am still going to run some diagnostics on it to see if
it's ok. I suspect it could also be failing RAM, how do I check that?
Also, what else should I be looking for/testing?

thanks
TB

You can't hold the power button down to manually shut down the system? I've
never heard of the manual override not working.... What you can try to do
is time it in safe mode. Load it in safe mode without networking and let it
run for a bit. If it works properly, load safe mode with networking. If it
freezes there, you are missing a software aspect which is causing your
problem.

Have you tried a simple msconfig startup to turn off unneccessary start up
programs? As for hardware, just pop in your system dianostic CD and run
that. It should tell you any hardware failures you might have, though this
sounds like a software problem.

I wouldn't recommend unplugging the machine to get it to restart... that
might create a pebkac problem...

-RS

 

[Mike Walsh]

Run Memtest86 to check your memory. Search Google for download sites.

 

[kony]

the front of case power switch will not turn the power off.

Then it seems less likely the power supply. Or, could still
be but it is not that needing reset. Voltage readings and
an inspection of the capacitors on the board (and in the
power supply if you're feeling ambitious, with AC unplugged)
wouldn't hurt.

As far as opening the case, I am a remote system admin, and will not be at
the physical location until tomorrow. the user did say the PSU fan seemed
to be working properly though. It still could be the CPU fan though; which
is what I was going to check first.

And yes, I do have a multi-meter to check voltages, but have never been very
good at figuring out exactly how to use it. Any links and/or advice here?

The first basic test would be using positive lead to probe
into the ATX and 4 pin 12V connectors from the back, using
DC voltage setting on the meter. This would be while system
is running, care is taken not to short anything. The
negative lead of multimeter can be connected to any ground,
like clipped to the case metal. Online (Google for example)
will find the ATX pinout for voltages, typically orange is
3.3V, red 5V, yellow 12V. Since system was up & running
already it should be one of those at issue, IF that is a
problem. ALso if the motherboard is using 5VSB for USB
and/or PS2 power you might switch the board jumpers to use
5V instead (consult board manual for the jumper(s)
locations).

I haven't checked the Event Viewer logs, but will first thing tomorrow.
Also, what sort of hardware monitoring software could you recommend? Any
freeware or shareware?

Check first with the motherboard manufacturer (website) and
if that produces nothing you might try MBM (Motherboard
Monitor 5).

Also the board may have a hardware monitor, health screen
in the bios menus.