Windows XP Pro Hangs

[BK]

All Windows XP Pro updates and Internet Explorer's latest
SP1 version have been installed; latest update of Norton
Anti-Virus system scan shows this 8-year old Dell's 72,000
files are clear of infections and all runs well at HOME.

But out on our remote FARM (set up to provide Internet
access) whether at Sign-on Screen {before there's a
desktop} or later in Internet Explorer, it hangs up
(freezes--screen unchanged and unresponsive to keyboard or
mouse) without warning and no Event Log entry, Admin.
Alert message, or full System Dump that it's set up for.
There's no evidence it happened, yet power-down then up
later is the only recourse. The last time it happened
four times in 3 hours. Any suggestions?

 

[Malke]

All Windows XP Pro updates and Internet Explorer's latest
SP1 version have been installed; latest update of Norton
Anti-Virus system scan shows this 8-year old Dell's 72,000
files are clear of infections and all runs well at HOME.

But out on our remote FARM (set up to provide Internet
access) whether at Sign-on Screen {before there's a
desktop} or later in Internet Explorer, it hangs up
(freezes--screen unchanged and unresponsive to keyboard or
mouse) without warning and no Event Log entry, Admin.
Alert message, or full System Dump that it's set up for.
There's no evidence it happened, yet power-down then up
later is the only recourse. The last time it happened
four times in 3 hours. Any suggestions?

OK, BK - I'm afraid I don't totally understand your questions. First,
you have Windows XP running on an *8-year* old computer??!! This seems
impossible to me. That aside, apparently nothing is wrong with that
one? The computer that is having the problem is the other one? If that
is correct, then you should provide specs on the sick computer - not
the one that is well. It isn't possible to tell from your post what
exactly is the problem with the FARM box, but if the lock-ups are
random, they may be caused by failing hardware. Here are some generic
hardware troubleshooting tips:

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. 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).

If you need more help, then please repost with more details.

Malke

 

[BK]

Dear Elephant Boy;
Thanks you for your extensive reply. I am sorry for my
tardy response.

There is only one PC involved--the 8-yr-old with XP that
runs fine at my HOME but after cleaning it out to take to
the FARM for their Internet access, it HANGS only there.
Eight times I've taken it out there, and with it still
failing there at the FARM, I've brought it HOME each time
where it continues to work just fine. Those times at
HOME, I have submitted it to the testing you described and
it passes them all.

When it hangs, I get no Event Log entry or Complete Dump
as it's set to do for system errors. Weather's prevented
me from FARM trips, but I've done nothing to it that would
make it work better. Next time I'll take two other PCs
along to see if they fail there also. If there are other
tips I could try before the trip, I'd be glad to test it.
Many thanks.