Random Freezing

[David]

My computer has been, I guess you could say, "acting up"
a bit lately. It just freezes at random times, whether
its when im running Update, or moving a file from here to
there...the screen will just freeze, the mouse will no
longer be able to move, and the keyboard wont function.
It is completely frozen. My computer consists of AMD 64
3000+, 1 GB RAM, 160 GB HD, 9600XT video card, running on
a wireless g linksys desktop card. So this isnt a piece
of junk system. Today I even reformatted the hard drive
just to see if that might help, and all it did was make
the freezing not quite as frequent. I am wondering if
anybody has any clues on what might be wrong?

Thank you,
David

 

[Guest]

Probably hardware, i mean, you just did a clean install, right? formatted
Hard Drive, whole 9 yards?
Could be your hardware/BIOS/drivers? have you been down this road?
remember, a bently breaks too.
AJ

 

[David]

Yep, reformat and the whole nine yards. This system is
just over a month old so I haven't had time to go down
this road before (love the analogy by the way!). But is
there a way to narrow down the problem? Or should i just
uninstall certain hardware/drivers and makek sure i have
the updated versions?

Thanks

 

[Guest]

BIOS Update?

 

[Guest]

Around 99% of all freezes are as a result of not having the latest drivers
for your system so that when XP calls for a higher function, from a piece of
hardware that should be able to provide that function, and the driver
doesn't have that function enabled, it freezes in a loop waiting for the
hardware to work. Everest Home Edition is a dandy and free little program
that will tell you everything you need to know about your system and even
provide many links to get the updated drivers for XP. Do no rely on Microsoft
to provide drivers, you must go to each of the manufacturers sites for your
hardware and get their drivers. If you get a "has not passed logo testing"
then just hit the ignore button, but make sure it's the exact driver for your
stuff. This includes all cameras\scanners\printers\monitors\mouse\keboard\usb
hubs\motherboard\chipsets\video card\sound card and so on.

 

[David]

Alright, thanks for your help. I'll try the BIOS update

 

[Malke]

Alright, thanks for your help. I'll try the BIOS update

Random "freezing" usually indicates a hardware problem. You have a nice
system, but that's no guarantee that a piece of hardware hasn't failed.
Here are generic hardware troubleshooting steps (I would certainly do
them before flashing the BIOS):

1) open the computer and run it open, cleaning out all dust bunnies and
observing all fans (overheating will cause system freezing); 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.

Malke

 

[Ken Blake]

In

Alright, thanks for your help. I'll try the BIOS update

My guess is that it's unlikely that a BIOS update will help.
Moreover, although a BIOS upgrade normally goes well, it is not
without danger. If something goes wrong while the upgrade is an
progress (for example, a lapse in power) you can be left with no
BIOS at all, and an unbootable computer.

Do a BIOS upgrade if you need to--because you are having a
problem that the new version is known to fix--not just because
one is available.



Freezing is most likely a hardware problem. I recommend reading
and following Malke's suggestions.


--
Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
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