XP freezes but mouse remains active

[The Seabat]

Howdy: Have a neighbors computer running Windows XP Home SP2 that at
odd time will completely freeze the desktop but the mouse cursor still
responds. I can't even use CTRL+ALT+DELETE to get into task manager.
The keyboard has no effect, either. We have to reboot to get function
back. One boot Windows froze at the black WindowsXP startup screen.

I clicked on the boot checker in msconfig and have unchecked all but
the needed anti-virus (Avast!) in startup. I checked all of them to
make sure that none were needed for Windows to operate. I've run a
full system scan with Avast! (current definition files) and scanned
with SuperAntiSpyware and Spybot Search & Destroy for malware.

She is not doing anything intensive on the computer, jus checking her
email and some light web surfing. She has an AMD dual core chip and
the temps are within normal settings, around 54C. Has a SATA hard
drive and Antec power supply (450W). No PCI cards of any kind
installed, all onboard video, audio, etc. This is a new home built
computer that has been running about five, six months now without any
problems at all. She is not a power user. Has 1GB of Mushkin RAM.
Haven't run Memtest, could that be a problem?

I don't understand, if Windows freezes why does the mouse continue to
move? It's a USB mouse, PS/2 keyboard if that's pertinent. Seems that
the airflow through the case is OK, all fans working.

Any ideas?

 

[Alias]

Howdy: Have a neighbors computer running Windows XP Home SP2 that at
odd time will completely freeze the desktop but the mouse cursor still
responds. I can't even use CTRL+ALT+DELETE to get into task manager.
The keyboard has no effect, either. We have to reboot to get function
back. One boot Windows froze at the black WindowsXP startup screen.

I clicked on the boot checker in msconfig and have unchecked all but
the needed anti-virus (Avast!) in startup. I checked all of them to
make sure that none were needed for Windows to operate. I've run a
full system scan with Avast! (current definition files) and scanned
with SuperAntiSpyware and Spybot Search & Destroy for malware.

She is not doing anything intensive on the computer, jus checking her
email and some light web surfing. She has an AMD dual core chip and
the temps are within normal settings, around 54C. Has a SATA hard
drive and Antec power supply (450W). No PCI cards of any kind
installed, all onboard video, audio, etc. This is a new home built
computer that has been running about five, six months now without any
problems at all. She is not a power user. Has 1GB of Mushkin RAM.
Haven't run Memtest, could that be a problem?

I don't understand, if Windows freezes why does the mouse continue to
move? It's a USB mouse, PS/2 keyboard if that's pertinent. Seems that
the airflow through the case is OK, all fans working.

Any ideas?

You can either run MemTest or swap known good working RAM and see if it
clears up. It seems like it is a memory problem. Another tip is to
remove the RAM and use a pencil eraser to clean the copper and/or remove
and put back in the RAM to clean off any corrosion.

Alias

 

[Don Phillipson]

Howdy: Have a neighbors computer running Windows XP Home SP2 that at
odd time will completely freeze the desktop but the mouse cursor still
responds. I can't even use CTRL+ALT+DELETE to get into task manager.
The keyboard has no effect, either. We have to reboot to get function
back. One boot Windows froze at the black WindowsXP startup screen.

First, try a different keyboard. When the symptom is an inoperative
keyboard you need to find whether the trouble is in:
1. Hardware = this particular keyboard
2 Hardware, on the motherboard, in the kb circuit
3 Operating system software
4 One particular installed software application.

 

[Himanshu Dogra]

Hi

As part of logical troubleshooting steps answer my following questions:
1. After booting the computer in safe mode, do you face the same problem?
If yes, let me know. In the mean time you can run the disk cleanup and
ccleaner software (
http://www.filehippo.com/download/f...28501ca7bd668d1c3163444fcf38756977367c7c1ab0/
). In the ccleaner software there is an option to fix registry errors on
left hand side...run that too. Then let know about the status.

2. In the safe mode, go to start-->run--> type in " prefetch" and click ok.
Now delete everything apprearing in the window. Again go to start--> run-->
type in " %temp% " and click ok.....Again delete all the files from this
windows. You dont need to worry about these files as it can be possible they
are making computer slow.

3. As a part of normal cleanup process....if you are using the Internet
explorer 7 go to start-->run--> type in " inetcpl.cpl " and click ok. Try to
delete all the cookies and temporary internet files. Follow the trouble
shooting steps as follows:

a). in the internet options window click on delete option under browsing
history and click on delete all on the bottom. After that again in the
browsing history click on settings and click on " view objects" . Now a new
window will open and try to find out entries which says unknown or damaged.
Remove all these entries and dont delete the entries which says " installed".
b). Again go back to internet options window and click on security tab on
top. Click on " Reset all zones to defauly level" and then click on content
on top and click on "clear SSL state" .
c). Again click on Advanced tab on top in internet options window and remove
the check mark from the option " enable 3rd party browser extensions. " .
Click on apply and restart the computer.

I have asked you to do these steps because there can be possiblity of some
third party entry in the windows registry which is causing the issue.
Sometimes it is not listed in msconfig window.

Regards

Himanshu Dogra
B.Engg, GCB, DBA, MISM (Australia)
MCSE 2003

 

[db]

the quick test would
be at boot up.

if when you boot
the system and
cannot enter the
bios/cmos menu,

then it is likely that
the keyboard is no
longer functional.

--

db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>
DatabaseBen, Retired Professional
- Systems Analyst
- Database Developer
- Accountancy
- Veteran of the Armed Forces
- @hotmail.com
"share the nirvana" - dbZen

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[Anna]

Howdy: Have a neighbors computer running Windows XP Home SP2 that at
odd time will completely freeze the desktop but the mouse cursor still
responds. I can't even use CTRL+ALT+DELETE to get into task manager.
The keyboard has no effect, either. We have to reboot to get function
back. One boot Windows froze at the black WindowsXP startup screen.

I clicked on the boot checker in msconfig and have unchecked all but
the needed anti-virus (Avast!) in startup. I checked all of them to
make sure that none were needed for Windows to operate. I've run a
full system scan with Avast! (current definition files) and scanned
with SuperAntiSpyware and Spybot Search & Destroy for malware.

She is not doing anything intensive on the computer, jus checking her
email and some light web surfing. She has an AMD dual core chip and
the temps are within normal settings, around 54C. Has a SATA hard
drive and Antec power supply (450W). No PCI cards of any kind
installed, all onboard video, audio, etc. This is a new home built
computer that has been running about five, six months now without any
problems at all. She is not a power user. Has 1GB of Mushkin RAM.
Haven't run Memtest, could that be a problem?

I don't understand, if Windows freezes why does the mouse continue to
move? It's a USB mouse, PS/2 keyboard if that's pertinent. Seems that
the airflow through the case is OK, all fans working.

Any ideas?

Seabat:
It's difficult, if not impossible, to tell from the symptoms that you
describe whether the problem arises from a software issue (possibly a
corrupted OS), or defective hardware is causing the problem.

1. The very first thing you (she) should do is backup the HDD. Possibly
clone the drive to another HDD should one be available. Or at the very least
copy off the drive as much data as she wants/needs while you have the
opportunity.

2. Download the HDD diagnostic utility from the disk's manufacturer and
check out the HDD. You could be dealing with a defective HDD.

3. Have you tried running the sfc /scannow and/or the chkdsk /r commands? Or
is that not practical because of the ongoing "freeze" problem?

4. Have you attempted to run a System Restore to some period prior to this
problem arising? Or does the "freeze" prevent you from doing so?

4. Certainly no harm in running memtest just to check there's no memory
problem.

5. Since this is a homebuilt PC, I take it the user has a retail XP
installation CD (or a non-branded OEM copy). Have you considered running a
repair install just on the chance you're dealing with a corrupted OS? Any
indication the system would "freeze" if you undertook a repair install?

6. If still no-go and it doesn't appear that there's a software issue
involved here, nor does there seem to be any problem with the HDD or memory,
you might want to disconnect the HDD and any other storage devices
(including optical drives) from the system, ditto for any peripheral
devices, and work *only* with the PSU, processor/heatsink, RAM, keyboard, &
mouse connected. No other connected devices.

Ensure as best you can that all installed components are properly seated &
connected.

Power on, access the BIOS and check the settings to ensure all are properly
set. Let the system run for at least an hour during which time you can
access the BIOS settings while navigating from one screen to another, and in
the process determine all settings are appropriate to the system. Check the
temps with the BIOS hardware monitor settings to see all is normal. If no
untoward events during this period it should give you some assurance there's
no hardware issue involved here at least with the PC's basic components
(although this process is not completely definitive). If the "freeze' does
occur during this time, then it's apparent you have a hardware issue on your
hands, possibly a defective PSU to hazard a guess. Do you have one to
substitute?

In any event, keep us informed of your progress (or lack thereof!).
Anna

 

[The Seabat]

The mouse moves and that is all. It will not "do" anything. I just
mentioned that the keyboard is froze also, just like windows.

 

[The Seabat]

Thank you all for the suggestions. Unfortunately she left for the VA
hospital in San Antonio this morning and won't be back till Tuesday.
But I will follow your leads and report back as soon as possible on
the results. Thanks and please bare with me.

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I know this post hasn't been updated recently, but I am having the
exact same issue and haven't been able to figure it out. Did The
Seabat ever get this issue resolved?

Please *quote* some part of the message you are replying to in the future or
state your own problem in a new post. The above is *all* we see of your new
posting when using a newsreader of sorts.

Is this the entire conversation you are referencing?
http://groups.google.com/group/micr...p.general/browse_frm/thread/4d5174d80a541fa0/

If so - what have you done from all the suggestions previously given?

 

[BillW50]

In undisclosed typed on Mon, 14 Sep 2009 18:07:54 +0100:

Reply to
thread:'http://www.technologyquestions.com/...2384-xp-freezes-but-mouse-remains-active.html
' (http://tinyurl.com/ouosjq)
XP Home SP2, AMD 2800, 2GB RAM. The OS freezes even with no
applications running and is totally non-responsive but the mouse
moves - required hard powerdown/reboot to restore. Upon reboot, OS
didn't even know an improper powerdown had occurred. Same symptoms
as described by The Seabat posts.

After troubleshooting memory (memtest86) and all the other
suggestions, I uninstalled Avast! 4.8 (free home edition) anti-virus
and the freezing stopped. There were no other AV programs installed
and I never did figure out why this was happening, but I ended up
installing the AVG 8.5 free AV software and haven't had any more
freezes.

Wanted to share this because I couldn't find much about this
particular symptom. I still don't know the root cause other than
there must have been some conflict with the Avast! SW. I liked it
since it included anti-rootkit and AVG free does not.

That must be one in a million! Because I have put Avast on dozens of
computers and it is well behaved. AVG's later versions gave me some
problems. But all it takes is one program or driver to break something.
Sorry to hear that.