freeze up

[robert clausen]

My computer has recently started to freeze up. I have no
mouse or key control when it occurs and I have to reset
from the button at the back. Sometimes it won't start
loading at all after a reset, only a black screen, I'll
then reset again and it will run properly for a while and
then freezeup again. This time frame that it runs properly
differs as well, sometimes an hour or more, sometimes ten
minutes. It freezes during different applications, there
is no consistency to it.
I do not run games, I have lots of space, I always clean
out my tempoary internet files, I've run Norton and have
no viruses, I've run adware and it found nothing, the box
inside is clean of dust bunnies and when the computer is
running properly device manager shows no problems with any
of the hardware. HELP

 

[Malke]

My computer has recently started to freeze up. I have no
mouse or key control when it occurs and I have to reset
from the button at the back. Sometimes it won't start
loading at all after a reset, only a black screen, I'll
then reset again and it will run properly for a while and
then freezeup again. This time frame that it runs properly
differs as well, sometimes an hour or more, sometimes ten
minutes. It freezes during different applications, there
is no consistency to it.
I do not run games, I have lots of space, I always clean
out my tempoary internet files, I've run Norton and have
no viruses, I've run adware and it found nothing, the box
inside is clean of dust bunnies and when the computer is
running properly device manager shows no problems with any
of the hardware. HELP

You've pretty much ruled out software. Device Manager is not a good
indicator for hardware problems. Here are some general hardware
troubleshooting steps:

1) open the computer and run it open, cleaning out all dust bunnies and
observing all fans (overheating will cause system freezing) - I know
you said your computer is clean, but you should watch it run and
carefully feel how hot it is getting inside the case. Don't touch any
of the components!; 2) test the RAM - I like Memtest86 from
www.memtest86.com - let the test run for an extended (like overnight)
period of time - unless errors are seen immediately; 3) test the hard
drive with a diagnostic utility from the mftr.; 4) the power supply may
be going bad or be inadequate for the devices you have in the system;
5) test the motherboard with something like TuffTest from
www.tufftest.com. Testing hardware failures often involves swapping out
suspected parts with known-good parts. If you can't do the testing
yourself and/or are uncomfortable opening your computer, take the
machine to a good local computer repair shop (not a CompUSA or Best Buy
type of store).

Malke