Freezing...

[Matt]

I am running windows xp, service pack 2 with whatever updates are most
recent.

My issue is that randomly within the first 5 minutes of turning my
computer on it freezes. I've given it hours and it does not unfreeze,
ctrl+alt+del doesn't work at all. I've tried system restore a few times
and it doesn't seem to do anything. I've removed several programs like
style XP because I thought they may be causing the problem, but it
persists. It works fine in safe mode which is how I managed to get
through system restore. I haven't installed any new hardware or
anything like that.

Any idea what the issue is? or better yet, a resolution?

-Matt

 

[Ted Zieglar]

"Unexplained computer behavior may be caused by deceptive software"
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/827315/en-us

 

[Matt]

I did most of that already. It didn't seem to help.

 

[Guest]

I am running windows xp, service pack 2 with whatever updates are most
recent.

My issue is that randomly within the first 5 minutes of turning my
computer on it freezes. I've given it hours and it does not unfreeze,
ctrl+alt+del doesn't work at all. I've tried system restore a few times
and it doesn't seem to do anything. I've removed several programs like
style XP because I thought they may be causing the problem, but it
persists. It works fine in safe mode which is how I managed to get
through system restore. I haven't installed any new hardware or
anything like that.

Any idea what the issue is? or better yet, a resolution?

-Matt

I have had the same problem for the past two weeks. I have previously used the program CounterSpy which runs daily. Even if I've not been on the internet, I find virus stuff and other problems. I can't find my original Windows XP and can't do the repair windows xp. When I just turn off the computer and go back on the second time I may not have any problems for hours and then if I try and do 3 things at once it'll freeze again. I also have done all the Windows and Office updates, removed all unused programs, defraged, etc. Answers to your problem may help my problem also. Sounds like we need help

 

[Guest]

Could be an issue of overheating. Good free temp diagnostic program:
http://www.almico.com/sfdownload.php. Install, run, and check temps. Temps
you need to look at: Hd(x) temp is the hard drive temp, and Core temp is
your processor temp. If processof temp gets too high computer could freeze.
Could be because of a fan not working.

If this is the problem then your computer would most likely lock up when the
processor usage is the highest (i.e. using a few or more programs at a time).
This might not occur in Safe Mode because only a minimal amount of software
is loaded when windows is started up, so the processor usage is not as high
as normal.

To check if the fan is coming on: open computer case cover and watch fan
occasionally during normal computer operation. If fan does not come on then
you might need a new one. You can find one from online computer parts stores,
comp usa, radio shack might have them, etc.

-Dan

 

[cluberti]

You can also do the following (assuming you can boot the PC in safe mode and
have it not freeze to gather a memory dump when it's "frozen". If you
are able to get a memory dump with the keyboard as per the instructions
below, then that means it's likely not hardware (because the Windows kernel
is still running, even though the system appears frozen). If the keyboard
dump instructions do NOT work, then that means the kernel is frozen as well,
meaning your install is either completely hosed, or you have hardware
problems (it is more likely to see hardware problems if the keyboard
instructions below don't work, as that means the PS/2 interrupt isn't
getting to the kernel - 99% of "frozen" machines without hardware problems
will dump using this method, meaning the Windows kernel is actually still
running and accepting interrupt commands...):

1. Boot the PC into safe mode.

2. Create or set the following registry value:
Key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\i8042prt\Parameters
Value: CrashOnCtrlScroll
Type: REG_DWORD
Data: 1

Refer to the following Knowledge Base article for more information on this
registry key:
244139 Windows Feature Allows a Memory.dmp File to Be Generated with
Keyboard
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=244139

3. Right-Click on the "My Computer" icon on the desktop and select
"Properties"; this will open the "System Properties" window. Go to the
"Advanced" tab and click "Performance Options". Click "Change" under
"Virtual Memory". Set the pagefile to be located on the partition where the
OS is installed, and set it to be equal to Physical RAM + 50 MB.

4. Also in the "System Properties" window, click on the "Advanced" tab, then
click "Startup and Recovery". Make sure "Complete Memory Dump" is selected.
You can change the location of the memory dump file to a different local
partition if you do not have enough room on the partition where the OS is
installed.

6. You will need to reboot the machine for these changes to take effect.

7. The next time that the machine becomes frozen, please go to the machine's
keyboard and hold down the *RIGHT* CTRL key and press the SCROLL LOCK key
twice to cause the machine to bugcheck and create the memory.dmp file.


If you are uncomfortable debugging the resulting memory.dmp file, I'd be
glad to assist. Let me know how it goes.