Computer freezing (I thought it was browser but maybe not?)

[cirrus minor]

Hi,

I don't know what's causing my computer to completely freeze. I thought it
was Firefox because the computer would freeze when I was using that browser,
so I uninstalled the browser (I prefer IE8 anyway). Now when Chrome 1 came
out, I installed it and all was okay. No freezing or anything like that, but
now with Chrome 2, my computer is freezing like it did when I was using
Firefox.

Can anyone please let me know what might be causing this complete freeze up?

I'm running XP SP3 (fully updated), Pentium 4 3.0 GHz, 1 Gig of Ram,
OneCare. I'm not noticing high CPU levels or the hard drive going crazy. Just
out of nowhere, no warning: The mouse freezes, no Ctrl+Alt+Del. (When I put
my hand on the opening when the fan is, I can feel hot air coming out
though.) The only way I can gain access to the computer is my doing a hard
boot.

Is there a reason why Firefox and Chrome freeze my computer? Or is it
something in Windows that's not playing nice with either of those browsers
when they enter a version 2? LOL Chrome 1 did not freeze my computer but
Chrome 2 does?

Thanks.

 

[Rich Barry]

Rt click MyComputer>select Manage > Event Viewer > Expand and check
the entries in the rt pane. click on the errors or warnings for more info.

 

[cirrus minor]

Hi Rich Barry, BeeCeeBee, and Dalo Harkin:

Thanks for the responces.

***

@Rich Barry - RE: Event Viewer errors or warnings.

There were a few errors and warning in the Event Viewer but most were for
crashing programs I knew about (IE8 and QuickTime). There was something about
Windows not being able to unload classes registry files (still in use by
services/apps) and will be unloaded when it's no longer in use.
_

Windows saving my username registry while app or service using it during log
off ... memory not been freed yet. Cause by service running as a user
account, try to configure service to run in LocalService or NetworkService
account.

_

Fault bucket 535183732

***

@BeeCeeBee - RE: Fan speed and cleaning.

Yes. I have notice that a lot of heated air (more than usual) is coming out
of the fan when the machine freezes. I can't say that I have cleaned the fan
but I will open the chasis and clean it out.

The strange thing is that my computer only freezes when I'm using Firefox (I
haven't installed it since I last (recently) installed XP) or Chrome
(freezing only happened with the just released Chrome 2, Chrome 1 had no
problems).

***

@Dalo Harkin - RE: PC running fine otherwise; RAM-hogging apps; Games.

No games or RAM-hogging programs. The only time my machine freezes is when
I'm runing Chrome 2. Chrome 2 isn't sucking a lot of RAM when the machine
freezes.

 

[dardruba]

There's a fault on Firefox v3.0.10

 

[Rich Barry]

Does your Bios have a PC Health Section where it gives the Temps of
the CPU?? Take a look at what your temps are.

 

[cirrus minor]

And in 3.1 beta 'cause the same thing happened when I tried it: It froze my
machine.

 

[cirrus minor]

Hi,

I wasn't able to find "PC Health Section."

Any other suggestions?