PC freezes // memory problem???

[Nikolas]

Hi guys,

I'm baffled by the first problem with my custom built PC. Basically, my PC
suddenly freezes in XP. When it freezes it seems HD activity also stops. No
error message appears and the only thing I can do is restart -- only for it
to happen again after a while. It seems to occur randomly. I've scanned the
HD for errors, viruses with Norton Antivirus, done a scan with Lavasoft
Adaware, and defragmentated. System restore is not allowing me to go back to
a previous restore point for some reason either. I've used msconfig to boot
with the minimal but still it happens. There is no particular program open
that's causing the problem which makes me think it's a hardware problem.
Memory maybe? Any tips or advice?

Thanks in advance,
Nik.

 

[JAD]

event viewer log for starters.
safe mode and wait for a lock up. if none occur, then it may be a background
program (norton is my guess).
look at tempretures in the bios hardware monitor.

 

[Kent_Diego]

I'm baffled by the first problem with my custom built PC. Basically, my PC
suddenly freezes in XP. When it freezes it seems HD activity also stops.
No
error message appears and the only thing I can do is restart -- only for
it
to happen again after a while. It seems to occur randomly. I've scanned
the
HD for errors, viruses with Norton Antivirus, done a scan with Lavasoft
Adaware, and defragmentated. System restore is not allowing me to go back
to
a previous restore point for some reason either. I've used msconfig to
boot
with the minimal but still it happens. There is no particular program open
that's causing the problem which makes me think it's a hardware problem.
Memory maybe? Any tips or advice?
...

It's useally memory. Run Memtest86 for a few hours. Try diffrent RAM timings
in BIOS. See if newer BIOS is available for motherbard. If not memory, look
at power supply then mother board. Be sure CPU, PS, and video card fans are
spinning. Check for overheating. See if better with case sides removed. Keep
replacing barts until fixed.

 

[Nikolas]

It's useally memory. Run Memtest86 for a few hours. Try diffrent RAM timings
in BIOS. See if newer BIOS is available for motherbard. If not memory, look
at power supply then mother board. Be sure CPU, PS, and video card fans are
spinning. Check for overheating. See if better with case sides removed. Keep
replacing barts until fixed.

Thanks for the tips guys.
CPU temp is at 45C
MB temp is at 38C
Which are pretty normal values for a HT P4, right? All fans are functioning.
I've got 7 fans in all and a heat extractor plus my CPU isn't overclocked at
present either so I doubt it's an overheating issue. I've just finished
running Memtest86 with no errors. And I'm pretty sure it's not being caused
by a background program. Could it be a problem with the hard drive? But then
surely there would be a disk read faliure error of some sort. I would of
thought it was a memory issue. I'm lost... anymore suggestions or do you
think I should call in a pro?

 

[Rod Speed]

Thanks for the tips guys.
CPU temp is at 45C
MB temp is at 38C
Which are pretty normal values for a HT P4, right? All fans are
functioning. I've got 7 fans in all and a heat extractor plus my CPU
isn't overclocked at present either so I doubt it's an overheating
issue. I've just finished running Memtest86 with no errors. And I'm
pretty sure it's not being caused by a background program.

Could it be a problem with the hard drive?

Yes, you can get that effect with bad sectors on the hard drive.

But then surely there would be a
disk read faliure error of some sort.

Not necessarily, particularly if the sector can be read with multiple
retrys. Thats what produces the 'freeze', its retrying then.

I would of thought it was a memory issue.

Unfortunately for you, 'freezes' can be caused by a number of things.

I'm lost... anymore suggestions

Post the SMART report on the hard drive using Everest.
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=4181

or do you think I should call in a pro?

Thats one area where 'pros' arent necessarily that useful.

Many arent prepared to keep using the system aggressively
until it freezes and to keep trying the various possibilitys.

 

[JAD]

my

Thanks for the tips guys.
CPU temp is at 45C
MB temp is at 38C
Which are pretty normal values for a HT P4, right? All fans are functioning.
I've got 7 fans in all and a heat extractor plus my CPU isn't overclocked at
present either so I doubt it's an overheating issue. I've just finished
running Memtest86 with no errors. And I'm pretty sure it's not being caused
by a background program.

if you don't eliminate the 'pretty sures' your not going to get anywhere.

Could it be a problem with the hard drive?

yes, run the diags from the manufacturers web site

But then

surely there would be a disk read failure error of some sort.

no not necessarily


I would of

thought it was a memory issue. I'm lost...

video, have another option like integrated?

anymore suggestions or do you

think I should call in a pro?

PSU may be weak.....

 

[jt3]

Two things--

When you ran Memtest, how long? Run at least as long as it takes for errors
to show up normally--freezing, whatever; I'd run it twice as long.

Second thing, happened to me--brand new mbd--bad electrolytics--can't always
tell by looking at them, but visual inspection's a start. A fairly large
number of Taiwanese mbds--good brands--have had this problem a couple of
years ago. Google for pictures. Helps to have another board to check your
components on.

Hth,
Joe

 

[Nikolas]

Guys (Joe, JAD, Rod, Kent_Diego),

I worked out what the problem was. It was overheating (of the CPU) afterall.
I know both JAD and Kent mentioned it at first and of course I did check at
random intervals and got pretty normal values but I didn't check the CPU
temp at the time of freezing. But I used at utility probe to record the temp
when the freezing occurs and found the CPU reached a temp of 85C!!! Not good
I know. I think the room temp contributed enormously. The intel supplied fan
doesn't do much to combat heat. I'm going to have to look into a
replacement. I really appreciate all your help.

Cheers.

 

[Rod Speed]

Guys (Joe, JAD, Rod, Kent_Diego),

I worked out what the problem was. It was overheating (of the CPU)
afterall. I know both JAD and Kent mentioned it at first and of
course I did check at random intervals and got pretty normal values
but I didn't check the CPU temp at the time of freezing. But I used
at utility probe to record the temp when the freezing occurs and
found the CPU reached a temp of 85C!!! Not good I know. I think the
room temp contributed enormously. The intel supplied fan doesn't do
much to combat heat. I'm going to have to look into a replacement. I
really appreciate all your help.

Thanks for the washup, too rare in my opinion.

 

[Kent_Diego]

I worked out what the problem was. It was overheating (of the CPU)

afterall.
I know both JAD and Kent mentioned it at first and of course I did check
at
random intervals and got pretty normal values but I didn't check the CPU
temp at the time of freezing. But I used at utility probe to record the
temp
when the freezing occurs and found the CPU reached a temp of 85C!!! Not
good
I know. I think the room temp contributed enormously. The intel supplied
fan
doesn't do much to combat heat. I'm going to have to look into a
replacement. I really appreciate all your help.

The Intel stock heatsinks are not the best but should be better then 85C I
would expect 65C to be a maximun if working properly. I wonder if the
heatsink is not attached securely so that it is not making full contact to
CPU. Look for a heatsink with heat pipes and a large fan. The best is the
Zalman CNPS9500 but it is pricy.