Please Help: My Computer Randomly Freezes XP

[Bill.Canfield]

Here's an annoying problem that I've been having lately. My computer
has been freezing at random intervals. The strange thing is that
nothing is listed about it in the Event Viewer when I check it after a
reboot.

I updated the drivers for my video card; I ran my virus scan; I ran
CCleaner; I ran HIJACKTHIS and submitted the log file to
http://www.hijackthis.de, and I have found absolutely nothing.

It usually seems to happen more when the screen saver becomes active,
but yet it's still an intermittent occurrence otherwise.

Does anybody out there have any thoughts on this matter?

Thanks in advance.

 

[dummy act]

I started having the same problem after upgrading to SP2. Occurs when I
click 'My Computer' on the desktop.
Windows Explorer works fine. First impression is it has something to do
with searching the network for what is attached.

Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance to everyone.

 

[Guest]

The general "fix" for this is rather detailed, but I'll give the gist of my
procedures here:
1) Update all of your drivers to the latest version
2) Get all Windows Updates
3) Run hardware diagnostics on your system
4) Prune out unneeded startup items and services
5) Add more RAM (up to 1 gB for a "mature" system with XP)

Sometimes this list doesn't work. Then it's usually due to a problem with
obsolete hardware or drivers.

- John

 

[dummy act]

Already performed #'s 2, 4 & 5 before posting. I'll check the drivers and
run the diagnostics.

Thank you for the help.

Dave

 

[Guest]

The issue here is trying to turn this "random" event into one that's
predictable. Until then you're doomed to try test after test until you latch
onto what the problem may be.

The general stuff I suggested should be bolstered by other techniques - such
as looking for logfiles and dump reports on your hard drive. Another
technique is to leave Task Manager running on the Processes tab - so see if
you can catch the bugger that's freezing.

Maybe try running Process Explorer by SysInternals to see if there's
anything unusual in any of the processes?

- John

 

[dummy act]

I just realized I miss-read the original posting by Mr. Canfield. I read
the My Computer as the desktop icon and not his computer in general.

I apologize for taking this post off in a tangent. I'll post my situation
in a new posting after double checking my drives which may apply to my
problem.

Again I apologize for this error.

Dave

 

[Rock]

I started having the same problem after upgrading to SP2. Occurs when I
click 'My Computer' on the desktop.
Windows Explorer works fine. First impression is it has something to do
with searching the network for what is attached.

You should post a new message with your issue and not attach it as a reply
to someone else's thread. That's called hijacking and interferes with each
of you getting help. Repost yours as a new message.

 

[Rock]

Ok, disregard my earlier reply. I sent it before I saw this.