xp keeps freezing up

[darkwolf]

i am running xp home ed. and it keeps on freezing up on me
for no reason at all. one time it will freeze while i am
playing a game. the next it is when nothing else is going
on and the computer is idle. can anbody help.

 

[Malke]

i am running xp home ed. and it keeps on freezing up on me
for no reason at all. one time it will freeze while i am
playing a game. the next it is when nothing else is going
on and the computer is idle. can anbody help.

Hi - I'm sorry, but this is not enough information for you to get a good
answer. Your post is the equivalent of saying, "it's broken". Your
problems could be caused by either software or hardware. Here are
generic troubleshooting steps for you to take:

A. For software issues - 1) scan with current antivirus ("current" means
a version not earlier than 2002 but using updated virus definitions);
2) remove spyware with Spybot Search & Destroy (www.security.kolla.de)
and Ad-aware (www.lavasoftusa.com). Be sure to update these programs
before running, and it is a good idea to do virus/spyware scans in Safe
Mode; 3) delete temporary and Temporary Internet Files; 4) stop
unnecessary services/programs from starting with Windows - see
www.blackviper.com for services info and www.pacs-portal.co.uk
startup_index.htm for programs info - 5) look in Event Viewer for
clues.

B. For hardware issues - 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, please repost and include some details about your
system and what you've already done to troubleshoot the problem.

Cheers and Happy New Year,

Malke

 

[Alex Nichol]

i am running xp home ed. and it keeps on freezing up on me
for no reason at all. one time it will freeze while i am
playing a game. the next it is when nothing else is going
on and the computer is idle. can anbody help.

One *possibility* worth checking, because it is so easy: this can often
be a result of the mouse driver and the video driver arguing over which
controls the pointer. Go to Control Panel - Display - Settings, Click
Advanced, and on the Troubleshoot page reduce the acceleration slider
one notch or two. If one does it, there is negligible loss of
performance: if two are needed look for updated video drivers from the
maker's site.

 

[Peter Hutchison]

i am running xp home ed. and it keeps on freezing up on me
for no reason at all. one time it will freeze while i am
playing a game. the next it is when nothing else is going
on and the computer is idle. can anbody help.

Could be any number of things:
a) Power Supply not powerful enough
b) CPU over heating
c) Graphics card over heating
d) Bad or out of date drivers
e) Program using up too much CPU %
etc

Peter Hutchison
Windows FAQ
http://www.pcguru.plus.com/