Windows XP Locks up

[Stephan]

I have a computer that is a file server. It has minimal software installed,
runs AVG antivirus and MS Windows Defender. It is not used to surf the net,
nor does it have email on it. It's not used by any user, just sits there
serving up files to the network users.

In recent weeks it has inexplicably started locking up/freezing more and
more often. It has all the Windows XP updates on it and nothing new has been
installed recently. Hibernate and standby are turned off.

There are no error messages, not a blue screen.. nothing. It just stops
responding to keyboard/mouse input and becomes unavailable on the network.

In addition to the AVG, I've run some spyware scans from various vendors
(online scanners) and nothing turns up. No hardware has been added or
changed, there are no error messages during the time it does work..
everything seems fine.

Any idea of where I should start to troubleshoot this ?

Thanks, Stephan

 

[Unk]

I have a computer that is a file server. It has minimal software installed,
runs AVG antivirus and MS Windows Defender. It is not used to surf the net,
nor does it have email on it. It's not used by any user, just sits there
serving up files to the network users.

In recent weeks it has inexplicably started locking up/freezing more and
more often. It has all the Windows XP updates on it and nothing new has been
installed recently. Hibernate and standby are turned off.

There are no error messages, not a blue screen.. nothing. It just stops
responding to keyboard/mouse input and becomes unavailable on the network.

In addition to the AVG, I've run some spyware scans from various vendors
(online scanners) and nothing turns up. No hardware has been added or
changed, there are no error messages during the time it does work..
everything seems fine.

Any idea of where I should start to troubleshoot this ?

Thanks, Stephan

The most common cause seems to be overheating and memory problems.
Check to see that all the internal fans are working correctly and not clogged or obstructed.
Reseat the memory, or try 1 stick at a time.
Leave the case cover off to see if it runs cooler and stops freezing.

Try lowering the "Hardware Accelerator" setting a notch or three.
Right-click the desktop, select Properties. Click the "Settings" tab.
Click the "Advanced" button, click the "Troubleshoot" tab.

Memory testing resources:
DocMemory
http://www.simmtester.com/PAGE/products/doc/docinfo.asp

Microsoft WinDiag
http://oca.microsoft.com/en/windiag.asp

MemTest
http://hcidesign.com/memtest/
http://www.memtest86.com/
http://www.memtest86.com/memt32.zip

 

[Stephan]

Thanks for the tips.. I'll try all of that before I take a hammer to it

Stephan

 

[Stephan]

Thanks for the tip.. Ill try that

Stephan

You should test HDD; RAM;
If no errors. I should go to service and say that computer doesn`t work
properly.

 

[Unk]

You're welcome.

Thanks for the tips.. I'll try all of that before I take a hammer to it

Stephan

 

[Talahassee]

Thanks for the tips.. I'll try all of that before I take a hammer to it

Keep that hammer handy!

;-)

Tallahassee