Computer freezes ... need suggestions!

Hi all. For some unknown reason my computer keeps freezing up...no rhyme nor reason. There's no pattern behind it...it can run for days then freeze or run for minutes then freeze. I haven't added or removed any HW or SW. I ran Check It diagnostics and all passed. I even opened up the task manager to see if there were any spikes before it froze and there is no indication that anything unusual occurs...except it freezes and has to be reset. Any suggestions?

 

Well, it could be a number of reasons. The first thing I want you to do is right click my computer and select properties. Under the general tab it will tell you how much memory you have. If your memory does not read correctly then it could be faulty memory causing it to freeze.

Your computer could be getting overheated, you might need to change the power supply before you fry your Processor. Open the case and make sure your Processor fan is running. Get a can of compressed air and blow the dust off the motherboard, fans, vents, etc.

Another thing could be a start up program. I know you said you cleaned it, but did you clean it in safe mode? You could have a virus that is in your start up files that your virus scan can not recognize because it is running. If you have to click Start -> Run -> type msconfig then look at your start up options. If you are not sure what should be there and what should not be there then post a log of your entries that are selected.

Make sure to empty your cookies, temporary files, temporary internet files and cache. Not that these would cause it to freeze but you never know.

 

Have you been overlclocking??

If you have try upping the voltage or replacing the PSU.

Also download a programme such as hmonitor and check for temperatures.As it kinda sounds like a heat problem!

Lecsiy

 

Memory and start up looks good. I hadn't even considered the overheating problem. After taking a peek inside it could use a good dusting so I am off to get some compressed air and will download the heat diagnostics program. We'll see what happens.

 

kk, keep us informed!

 

LMAO...I downloaded the hmonitor and it keeps beeping warning tones at me...I can't get it to stop...LOL. Anyway, it says my CPU is in the yellow at 54c and the HDD is in the yellow at 40c. I'll definately get the gunk out. Anyone know off the top of their head what those temps should be?

 

Ah hah Thought it may be a heat issue. And 54 degrees is pretty hot for just running a check.

Normal CPu temps are all about your particular CPU but 54 is definatly to hot.

So try cleaning it out. Make sure all fans are operational. Make sure your air flow is good. Make sure you reset CMOS on your motherboard (Or load systems defaults in your bios) Make sure your case is clean.

And just make sure you dont touch anything your not sure about!

Good luck and if you get any more problems were all happy to help!

LEcsiy

 

I was following along until you said reset the CMOS...

 

Ok, Well just leave that one out for the moment as its unlikely to be causing you any problems unless youve been overlclocking.

Have ou tried any other bits?

 

After a good cleaning it still seems to be running between 71c and 80c, depending on what I'm doing. I get warning beeps during start up and that seems to be it's peek heat time (around 80c. Is this normal... obviously not or else it wouldn't be chimming off at me.

 

Wow 80 degrees man that aint good for any CPU. Erm are all the fans running can you hear them?

Are you sure its not farenheit your looking at!

 

All fans are now clean and functioning properly and yes it's cellcius (sp). I'm running a P4 3.0 GHZ hyperthread. I'm checking google now for normal operating temps. It seems to cool after running for a few and has stabilized around 70c.

 

Man you dont stabalize at 70 degrees. You stabilise at 30/40 degrees!

This is really odd. Does your computer still freeze as all i can think of now is that you motherbiard thermomentres are wrong!

 

It hasn't frozen yet but time will tell. It's running a consistent 70c now.

 

There seriosuly must be something wrong. My computer which has been overclocked around 30% idles at 40 degrees.

The thing is running at that high temp.. if it is actually that high .. is so bad for you computer.

Could you do me 2 last things:

First of all right click hmonitor at the bottom right of your screen. Click settings then click the BIOs info tab. Then click report then paste that report onto here.

Then try turning off. At the bios screen click DEL. Browse around for hardware montior which should be an option under a tab.
And then check the temps your getting there.

Cheers lecsiy

 

Hmonitor Version 4.2.5.1 Pro
(Trial)
H/W diagnostics info:
Windows XP Professional Version 5.1.2600 Service Pack 2
Manufacturer: Abit
Board model: VT7 (VIA PT880-8237)
Version: 1.x
BIOS vendor: Phoenix Technologies, LTD
BIOS version: 6.00 PG, Release date: 08/27/2004
Chipset: 02581106
Vendor ID: 140E147B
SouthBridge: 32271106
SMB port used: 0500
CPU ID:0-15-4-1
BrandName:Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 3.00GHz
Internal Freq=3,196.0 MHz
External Freq=213.07 MHz
SystemBus Freq=852.3 MHz QDR
Multiplier=15.0
Thermo control configuration:
Full Throttle:100.0%
AMD Low Power mode:N
Win 95/98 Idle Control:N
Device:None Throttle:25.0% Enable at:70.0°C Disable at:69.0°C
Main Sensor: W83697hf
1st sensor: Thermistor 0
2nd sensor: Diode 1
3rd sensor: Thermistor 0
Monitored data values:
CPU1=70.5°C (correction: 0.0°C)
Power=xx.x°C (correction: 0.0°C)
Mainboard=29.0°C (correction: 0.0°C)
Chassis=xx.x°C (correction: 0.0°C)
Chassis=2220 rpm
CPU1=xxxx rpm
CPU2=xxxx rpm
Power=xxxx rpm
Core=+1.30V
Aux=+x.xxV
+3.3V=+3.26V
+5V=+5.08V
+12V=+11.80V
-12V=-xx.xxV
-5V=-x.xxV
HDD1 temp=xx.x°C
HDD2 temp=43.0°C
Display driver: NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200
VGA Device ID: PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0322&SUBSYS_91101462&REV_A1
VGA sensor: ForceWare
VGA GPU=xx.x°C
VGA Ambient=xx.x°C
VGA Fan=xxxx rpm
VGA Core=+x.xxV
VGA Bus=+x.xxV

 

Right now try wat i said in the bios and tell me what it said in there.

As hmonitor os slighty unbelivable. A 72 degree cpu and a 30 degree mobo. Sounds fishy. However whats going on in bios?

 

bios said 80c cpu and 30c sys also. Bios has warning temp set at 85c.

 

Man that aint right! It cant be thats the thing! Ok maybe you shoudl reste the CMOS.

This is how:

Turn off your PC
Take out power
Make sure your working on wood or something unstatic.
Open your pc case
Tap some metal to discharge youself
Find were it sais Clear Cmos or somethin to that affect.
It should have a jumper on it move the jumper. TO help imagine thesee exclamation marks are the pins:

! ! !
1 2 3

The jumper should be on 1 + 2
However move the jumper so its on 2 + 3

Then keep the case open.
Turn the power on.
Wait 10 secs.
Turn off the cmp pull out power plug.
Put the jumper back over 1 + 2.
Put side of case back on.

And there yu have it you have resetted your CMOS.

Good luck!

However before you do all this you may be able to do this from your bios without opening your case.

If so get into bios:

Click ESC
Then click load setup defaults
Then click save and exit

Good luck mate!

 

Just found this on another forum:

Actually that 68-75 degree's celsius is actually read right off the P4's on die temperature built within the cpu....It may seem hot but that's how hot it is internally...

It goes on to say:

From what I understand P4's run hot.  Intel say's the max temp on one should be 100C.

If I'm not mistaken it has always been around 72 - 75c since I built it. I'll try the cmos as you suggested and mat try some new fans in the box. Right now it's running around 65c. I'll keep you posted.