Windows locks up randomly

[Guest]

I have windows XP Pro.

issue: Windows will randomly lock up on startup, it will do this at
different stages, the sign in page, when logging into a username (I have
several usernames and it will randomly lock up each one - it just not one
username), when loading up my startup programs, and/or when opening a program
(such as IE, OE, Word, or games, such as call for duty and Age of Empires 2)
It is really very random. I have to reboot at least 5 to 6 times before
windows will finally work. I thought it might have been an update that went
wrong, but I fdisk/format and reinstalled Windows and it is still doing the
same thing. I scaned for viruses and spyware and the computer is clean. I
have a dual boot system and windows 98SE works fine.

 

[Malke]

I have windows XP Pro.

issue: Windows will randomly lock up on startup, it will do this at
different stages, the sign in page, when logging into a username (I
have several usernames and it will randomly lock up each one - it just
not one username), when loading up my startup programs, and/or when
opening a program (such as IE, OE, Word, or games, such as call for
duty and Age of Empires 2) It is really very random. I have to reboot
at least 5 to 6 times before windows will finally work. I thought it
might have been an update that went wrong, but I fdisk/format and
reinstalled Windows and it is still doing the
same thing. I scaned for viruses and spyware and the computer is
clean. I have a dual boot system and windows 98SE works fine.

Random lockups like you describe are usually caused by failing hardware
or bad drivers. I would first test the RAM (see below). The fact that
Win98 works isn't proof that the RAM is good since XP is much more
unforgiving of marginal RAM than Win9x/ME.

If the RAM tests good, does XP run well in Safe Mode? If so, then you
know something starting with XP (probably a driver) is causing problems
and you can start your troubleshooting there.

General hardware t-shooting:

1) Open the computer and run it open, cleaning out all dust bunnies and
observing all fans (overheating will cause system freezing). Obviously
you can't do this with a laptop, but you can hear if the fan is running
and feel if the laptop is getting too hot.

2) Test the RAM - I like Memtest86+ from www.memtest.org. Obviously, you
have to get the program from a working machine. You will either
download the precompiled Windows binary to make a bootable floppy or
the .iso to make a bootable cd. If you want to use the latter, you'll
need to have third-party burning software on the machine where you
download the file - XP's built-in burning capability won't do the job.
In either case, boot with the media you made. The test will run
immediately. Let the test run for an extended period of time - unless
errors are seen immediately. If you get any errors, replace the RAM.

3) Test the hard drive with a diagnostic utility from the mftr. Usually
you will download the file and make a bootable floppy with it. Boot
with the media and do a thorough test. If the drive has physical
errors, replace it.

4) The power supply may be going bad or be inadequate for the devices
you have in the system - this isn't applicable to a laptop, of course.

5) Test the motherboard with something like TuffTest from
www.tufftest.com. Sometimes this is useful, and sometimes it isn't.

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

 

[Guest]

Thank you for your suggestions, I was thinking along the same lines. In fact
I pulled out all my memory and tried them one at a time to see if the system
still locks up, which it did. I actually suspect a windows update, so to
test that theory I formatted and reinstalled windows. I will do as you
suggested also, because this issue is driving me nuts