help.... computer locking up... [Archive]

Village_Idiot

05-31-2004, 04:30 PM

ok if u guys read in someone else thread my computer keeps locking up.... it will be fine and then it just stops... the thinking light is never appears again and everything freezes... all processes stop...

i have reformatted and and that did not help.... i opened up my tower and cleaned out a little bit of the dust and then it recided for awhile and now its back adn only getting worse... everytime it locks its usually when im running heavy processes like plaiyng games like CS, listening to MP3s using Windows meida player.... and downloading off of WinMX... also its random the times it locks up but usually after like 15mins - 3 hours of gaming it freezes and i gotta hard boot from the power switch

ive pretty much concluded that it has to be a hardware but i dont exactly know what it could be... someone recommended it could be memory dump but i cant tell

side note: im 16... no money.... im not that extremely up there with knowledge but if u explain to me i can get it.... i mean i do know a lot but not everything....

Specs: Sony Vaio 1.6 GHz
Graphics: Nvidia TNT 2 Model 64 *really top of the line i know* (sarcastic)
RAM: 512
OS: Win XP Home
Anti-Viral software: Norton 2003
Spyware: before i reformatted i scraped my whole comp clean of spycrap using Ad-aware and Search and Destroy program
Any other specs needed let me know

more info: even sometimes when i first boot up it locks up too like its showing the brand of the computer before it shows DOS and whats detected before it launches Win XP... sometimes it locks up when i log onto my user.... sometimes it will go for 3 days not rebooted adn then lock up.... most of the time its when many processes are running.... i think WinMX has something to do with it....

please please please help me if u can...

Spyder

05-31-2004, 06:40 PM

how long have you had it before it started messing up? I've had that problem before, and i cant remember what exactally the problem was. I think it had to do with bad drivers for something... but again i cant remember specifically.

Village_Idiot

05-31-2004, 06:50 PM

ive had my computer for 2 years and it was great.... i kept it updated and virus free for the most part until like 4 weeks ago.... it just started crashing...

blue

05-31-2004, 08:00 PM

do yo have a thermal read out?
that happens when the cpu gets a tad hot... check yoru temps.

Village_Idiot

05-31-2004, 08:31 PM

remind me how.... and tell what high temps are...

StealthMonkey

05-31-2004, 09:01 PM

Usually motherboards show temperatures in the BIOS

To get into BIOS varies... sometimes it's DEL key when computer is first starting, sometimes one of the F keys.

Nefarious

05-31-2004, 09:06 PM

im havin a problem too. my comp does get rather hot so i took the cover off to see how it goes. have had the same comp for a while and it just started locking up when im in CS this weekend. it may be bad drivers, but I don't know, I'll look into it. what range should my temps be?

Scorpion

05-31-2004, 09:07 PM

Any suggestions for cooling the mobo down? I just have the stock fan for my comp. And with summer approaching I'm having this prob as well.

Nefarious

05-31-2004, 09:11 PM

blue

05-31-2004, 09:16 PM

hm
2 things. 1 - a good case fan. 2 - a good cpu fan. any artec case fan (80mil) will work fine for the case.

i use a thermaltake volcano 9 smart and slient. i left it on full blast for a long time. but its noisy let me tell ya. anyway... it cools GREAT.

here is a link. i think it was 30 bucks. a decent case fan should run you 5 bucks at a comp shop.
http://www.thermaltake.com/coolers/volcano/rs/a1365.htm

this is a link to the newest version of it.
http://www.thermaltake.com/coolers/volcano/rs/a1745.htm

anyway. i adjusted mine down so it only runs at about 4000 rpms. still loud, but its alot quieter than what i had before (about 5400 rpms).

also you can try getting motherboard monitor at http://www.3degs.net/index.php?page=webfile&dsn1=nav_webfiles&file=9

thats a great program that tells you what you have. getting it setup is a trick thou. you'll have to play with the thermal readout locations (you'll see).

anyway. before a new fan. my system ran near 48C overclocked (Very Hot). after fan, about 31C. i then upgraded the chip from a 1600 -> 2000, and i went to 33C when i adjusted the fan, i let it go up to about 39C. (got really tired of the noise - everyone on teamspeak would ask me what that hiss was -- lol!! it was the fan INSIDE my case of course). A good temp is near 32C - 35C i would think on the CPU.

i am overclocking my chip (who doesnt right?). anyway i pushed my 2000 to around a 2400. im getting 2180 Mhz out of it. anyway a 2000+ should only get 1.67 mhz or so. :)

Nefarious

05-31-2004, 09:18 PM

well, there are new sound blaster drivers out which MAY be my problem. Released mar 29 which is when it started so, hopefully that is all it is. When it does lock up, it starts making a sound so maybe. we will see.

nevermind, they werent the right thing. so now im clueless. But i have never had a problem with the heat, but that may just be it.

Village_Idiot

06-01-2004, 12:14 AM

ok checked BIOS

CPU temp was around 113 F and MB was around 105 which my dad says seems fine

voltage (forgive me i have no friggen idea) had 3 catagories... 3 Volt... 5 Volt... and 12 Volt

3 matched 3

5 matched the real at 5.1 tho

and 12 was running at 11.7/11.6

now im thinking RAM but how can i be shure?

Nefarious

06-01-2004, 12:43 AM

my temps are CPU at 130 F and Mobo at 105. my processor must be running to hot or something despite the great fan on there.

nOOB

06-01-2004, 12:48 AM

Have you added any hardware in the last few weeks? If so it could be bad or you dont have enough power for it

Village_Idiot

06-01-2004, 12:56 AM

neg ont he new hardware except one thing.... about a month and a half ago my DVD ROM went out and i have 2 CD ROMs in my comp so i replaced the bad one with a DVD/ CD Burner and it was fine for a month and then it started locking up.... but for the most part no and ive kept my computer up to date with windows update...

[NAKED] Young DVP

06-01-2004, 01:23 AM

I'd say you have a bad mother-board, althought you can try switching RAM with a known good stick first to see if that makes a diff.

Spyder

06-01-2004, 02:33 AM

i think i just remembered what my problem was. I had a problem with my GPU that it somehow got overclocked. I never adjusted the settings at all, but it got upped by about 10mhz. Every little while it would just freeze, especially in games.

Of course it wasnt fixed by formatting or anything, but once i figured that out i dropped i went into the util prog and dropped it back down and it ran fine.

Heh, i'm pretty sure that was the same problem i'm thinking of, it was so long ago...

Village_Idiot

06-01-2004, 12:59 PM

what should a computer of my specs be clocked at then??? i think i saw it like 1066 or something like but ill check again once i get home....

blue

06-01-2004, 01:36 PM

each chip has a fsb and an multiplier it is supposed to be run at... unless your overcloking, there is no need to change this from teh manufacturer. also, if its a gateway or a dell, or some other main brand pc. chances are you CANT change this anyway.

Spyder

06-01-2004, 02:04 PM

i said GPU, not CPU. I dunno about ATi, but nVidia cards you can adjust the gpu+memory clocks just in the graphic preferences in th control panel. I had a gf3 at the time, so i just went into the control panel and moved the slider.

Nefarious

06-01-2004, 04:48 PM

Young DVP]I'd say you have a bad mother-board, althought you can try switching RAM with a known good stick first to see if that makes a diff.

my problem might be the motherboard. hell, i need a new one anyway since the connection to the floppy disk drive is fudged. So i have to press F1 everytime I start my computer. Its a pain in the ass. Any suggestions for a new mobo? AMD XP 2000+ processor

Nefarious

06-01-2004, 04:56 PM

would this one be any good? http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-128-197&depa=0

ThriKreen

06-01-2004, 06:58 PM

You can go into the BIOS and disable the halt on error check for the floppy drive.

Also, for trying to figure out what the problem is, do the minimal approach - remove all non-essential devices (i.e. just HD, video, RAM) and revert your computer to default clocking speeds for both GPU and CPU and see if you still crash. Then add one component at a time and see if anything happens.

Merely replacing your hardware may not solve your problem, since you don't even know what's causing it.

Since you said before that it crashes even in boot up, it sounds like it's not software related so reformatting and reinstalling won't be the solution.

Nefarious

06-01-2004, 07:47 PM

i never said it crashed in boot up. the only times it crashes is in CS so far.

Village_Idiot

06-01-2004, 08:58 PM

also as a side note my system is a pretty close system... it was hard enuff to change out eh CD drives... the only things i cant ake out are CD drives... modem... and floppy.... thats pretty much it... everything is ont he motherboard or is unremoveable... like the NIC is on the board and so is sound.... the only other thing that is removeable is the monitor card thingy but i need that, the hard drive, and RAM...

blue

06-01-2004, 09:43 PM

Nerf -> is it a delll / gateway case? you may find that mobo doesnt fit. then replacing the case you need a new power supply sometimes. oh and now they have new memory types, so you will have to look into the memory you have and see if its ok to use. now, was your old video card integrated? if so, add one of those to your cart...

by golly, is that a new computer? -- its VERY easy.

i built one after rebates for a AMD 2800+ Barton core with 1Gig of mem. 40 Gig hd, and a DVD-rom/CD-R drive., and a redeon 9200 (64meg 8x). i know its not the best card, but shes an accountant...

all for 550 after rebates! was el cheapo and worth about 1200 in best buy or circuit city dollars!!

Nefarious

06-01-2004, 10:22 PM

i dont have much money to spend. Ive built the computer myself and yes, the mobo fits. I need just a small upgrade. I may also try to upgrade my CPU while im at it. Everything else in my comp is fine, unless i decide to get more mem too which i would need a new mobo for anyway.

Village_Idiot

06-02-2004, 12:24 AM

well i reformatted yet again and it seems fine so im gonna take this slow and easy and see if its a driver problem...

HighPingedLPB

06-02-2004, 02:32 AM

be sure to update windows.. sometimes problems can be caused by those damned worms that get thru the security holes in windows. Back when, I think MSBlast (or one of those other ones that forces you to shut down) came out, I was getting it pretty much instantly after doing a fresh install and getting online.

Village_Idiot

06-02-2004, 12:59 PM

well ive only done XP SP1 and DirectX 9 and the computer is not locking up AT ALL... yet.... so im still testing but i was smart enuff to reinstall my Norton anti virus and firewall and fully patch that so i think ill be for hte most part ok for a little bit in terms of worms...

Nefarious

06-02-2004, 01:12 PM

when mine start freezing up the first time, I ran a spyware search with ad aware and virus scan with norton 2004. didnt find a thing

Village_Idiot

06-02-2004, 07:36 PM

exactly same with mine nef...

now since i reformatted ive kept it on with WinMX redownloading my 2 gig movies of like Black hawk Down and stuff and running steam reinstalling CS int he background for lamost a day now.... and no lock-ups.....

driver or windows update?

Kamie

06-02-2004, 07:57 PM

Windows Update and Drivers needed sound like distinct possibilities

Nefarious

06-02-2004, 11:42 PM

froze again :(

its gotta be an over heating problem because it only really does it after ive been playing for awhile. i need to look into a new heatsink/fan.

sexyownage

06-03-2004, 12:53 AM

the only windows drivers u need is sp1

[gh]Spurty

06-03-2004, 09:49 AM

er, until SP2 ... I had lockups with my SATA hard drive installed. Had to roll back to IDE :(

Village_Idiot

06-03-2004, 12:59 PM

ok it locked up again.... i ran WinMX and steam in the back ground reinstalling CS for about 22 hours.... the second i tried to get onto TFC it locked up... then it locked up 3 times in 3 different spots even trying to boot up.... now i reformatted yet again and its not locking up.... i am praying its not steam or CS or my life will come to a end.... im testing using different games tonite....

Village_Idiot

06-03-2004, 09:11 PM

well i never loaded a single game except 2 updates... XP SP1 and DirectX 9... and Norton 2003.. and it still locked up.... i hope its not my mobo...

Nefarious

06-03-2004, 10:11 PM

mine has GOT to be over heating. no way its anything else

Community Nub Shauce

06-04-2004, 01:05 AM

what kind of power supply do you have Sniper

Nefarious

06-04-2004, 01:08 AM

I have a crappy one

plain rice

06-04-2004, 01:56 AM

My computer has been locking up frequently also the last few weeks. My heatsink temp was running at 110 degrees F to 130 degrees F all the time (HOT!). I only had my stock power supply that came with my case, but 5 case fans (2 in, 3 out). Put in a Thermaltake Silent Purepower 480W powersupply, and a Thermaltake Silent Boost heatsink/fan tonight. Running smooth so far, but it's only been an hour.

[gh]Spurty

06-04-2004, 02:54 AM

I have to say, every dealing I have had with AMD chips has been nasty and not smooth. Intel Chips are far more stable alround. Shame they are slower :-(

My next machine (some time in 2006) will have an Intel Chip (Perhaps Dual) at the heart (Brain)

I have a TruPower PSU from Antec and that stopped the machine from shutting down when the video card did anything intensive (like run a GL screen saver)

The removal of the SATA drive also helped a lot. Sadly though, cause its an 80gig drive and my IDEs only add up to 45 gigs

plain rice

06-04-2004, 06:33 AM

No freezes overnight, running idle at 88 degrees F. Quieter too!

Nefarious

06-04-2004, 10:01 AM

so what you are saying rice is get a new power supply too? I only have 2 case fans though, 1 out and im not sure if you can really call the other 1 in, but its not out. and I am still using the stock AMD heatsink/fan. I have been looking into these a lot and will buy one the next time I go to frys. Good power supplies cost too much though :(

kud0z

06-04-2004, 11:23 AM

You also might check your video card. It may be overheating and it may look like you crash, but it's just because your computer isn't getting a video signal. That's been happening to me, at least.

Haplo

06-04-2004, 06:22 PM

Try disabling your soundcard for the time being. Rally had a huge problem with her computer that the soundcard was causing it to lock up on boot. Sometimes, before boot, sometimes after, but always narrowed down to sound. Had to end up replacing the powersupply because that was the source, but it had damaged the soundcard also.

If that doesn't work, do you have multiple dimms of ram? If so, try removing a dimm and reboot. Do the same thing on each dimm and see if it locks or not. If it doesn't lock with one, but does with the other, well, that's easy. If it locks with both, but doesn't lock with either, that's a problem with the slot recognition on your mobo, and you may need to upgrade to a single dimm of ram instead of two dimms.

If THAT doesn't work, try getting powerstrip for your computer, and underclock your video card a bit. It's a very simple program and easy to use, just slide the GPU and mem MHZ down a few notches. This will check if your card is sped up too much and overheating/locking your computer. It may give you a slightly lesser performance in some of your games, but hey, it's something to test :)

Village_Idiot

06-05-2004, 01:04 AM

what im gonna do is take it a place where they can tell me whats wrong for free and then ill move to another step of replacing parts o building a new comp... or something.... really 110 is hot? both my temps i saw in BIOS read 105 and one read 113 and my dad said thats not even warm.... hmmm

Nefarious

06-05-2004, 11:44 AM

yes, its a little hot. your mobo is fine, but your CPU (113) could stand to be a little cooler. I dont think that is what your problem is though, cuz my cpu is 135

Nefarious

06-05-2004, 06:42 PM

i also get an occasional HL error. I dont remember what it says, but I'll get it the next time it happens.

Nefarious

06-05-2004, 09:06 PM

today, my comp froze, reset itself during boot-up and crashed shortly after login.
Here is my error report analysis:

Error Caused by a Device Driver

Thank you for submitting an error report. Unfortunately, we cannot provide you with specific information about how to resolve this problem at this time. The information that you and other users submit will be used to investigate this problem.

Analysis

A device driver installed on your system caused the problem, but we cannot determine the precise cause.

-----------------
so should I download the drivers on windows update?

Nefarious

06-05-2004, 09:43 PM

well, i installed one of the drivers which was some processor driver thing from 2002. so far, no problems. There are also drivers for my game pad and my vid card.

Village_Idiot

06-07-2004, 01:00 PM

ok im currently testing something on mine.... Norton 2003 Anti-virus and Firewall... get this.....

One of our slower computers i installed and it and it screwed up the computer so i had to reformat... reinstalled norton and again and same problem...

Mine: mine keeps locking up and every time i installed norton first.... after reformat

friend: my mom went to go set up her friends computer... 3 GHz machine... bad ass.... downlaods and buys Norton 2004 and it crashes her computer.... related crash and lock up to mine but not exactly the same...

is it just me or do i see a trail???

ThriKreen

06-07-2004, 01:48 PM

Hence why I suggested the minimal approach, remove everything not critical, then add one at a time, either software or hardware. Isolate where the problem is, makes for solving it a lot easier.

But ya, you could be on the right track, something in NAV running in the background could cause something to trip and freeze the computer.

HighPingedLPB

06-07-2004, 10:17 PM

and hence the reason I said to get AVG (or was that in another thread?).. works better, and doesn't eat up a shitload of resources like norton does

Anyway, it's at http://www.grisoft.com

Also, for a firewall, I use sygate personal firewall.. never had a problem with it ever.
That is at www.sygate.com (go to home office, then download and buy, and scroll all the way down for the free version)

And I completely agree with thri.. unplug any and all peripherals that you don't need (just have the keyboard, mouse and monitor plugged in) and see if the problems still occur. If there is no problem, add stuff back on gradually until you see the problem occur again. That way you should be able to figure out which device is doing it. Same goes with software and drivers, Start out with a clean install, do the windows updates, get an anti-virus, and firewall. If there are no problems, then start adding hardware and drivers and software gradually until the problem occurs again.

Village_Idiot

06-08-2004, 12:09 AM

ok it still locks up and im glad its not Norton.... once i find the time i will try hardware im certain it has to be hardware now....

Nefarious

06-08-2004, 08:42 AM

ok it still locks up and im glad its not Norton.... once i find the time i will try hardware im certain it has to be hardware now....

ditto. its starting to happen more often now.

Village_Idiot

06-09-2004, 01:43 PM

im thinkin RAM or mobo....

sexyownage

06-09-2004, 05:15 PM

maybe a mosfet is busted on ur mobo from the heat.

Village_Idiot

06-12-2004, 02:51 PM

i also find it odd that last night when it locked up....again... i went to press the button and i didnt hold it down long enough so it went into standby... i took it out of standby it was working again.....

this ring any bells?

Village_Idiot

06-16-2004, 11:27 PM

ok ive now noticed something.... it beeps twice during boot up.... im pretty shure its always done one and i know beeps are bad... here are the 2...

1. before the Sony manufacturer logo even before the DOS detection of ROM Drives and settings this ones a short beep... im pretty shure thats the new one....

2. just after the Sony logo just before DOS detection it beeps really fast and i think this one is normal....

i dont know the codes but i do know that 2 long beeps mean CPU Power problem.... help plz...