Anyone good with computer problems?

  • Thread starter Thread starter thebigcheese
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thebigcheese

thebigcheese

"Hi, I'm in Delaware."
My PC desktop freezes up randomly and I can't figure out why. I can usually make it happen by watching a Netflix instant movie, but I think it will freeze up on its own when I'm not doing anything, too (it just might take longer). I just updated the motherboard BIOS, so that's not it. I have mismatched RAM in there, but it never used to freeze up and even with just one stick in, it still freezes, so that's not it. I have a firewire card, a wireless card, and a video card in there, along with one hard drive and one DVD burner. What's the next place I should look for problems? Hard drive?
 
I doubt very much its your hard drive. The easist way to find your problem is a process of elimination. Switch off your pc, plug all your add on devices out and boot your pc. If it still freezes now then we know that its not one of your devices.

Check the memory - take one of the modules out and see if it still freezes up. If you still have no luck with this it might be a software/driver issue - clean install windows again and see if the problem is solved.

If all these methods fail, take your computer to a professional:)
 
Firstly, have you done a spyware check recently?

Second and more importantly, when was the last time you installed windows?

Thirdly, hit ctrl+alt+delete and check your running processes. How many do you have running? Are there any processes that are using an inordinate amount of CPU or RAM?

Personally I would only take your computer to a professional as a very very last resort. They'll charge you a fortune and they won't do much.
 
thebigcheese said:
I just updated the motherboard BIOS, so that's not it.
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Actually that could be it, did the problems start before or after the BIOS update.

Could be any number of things aside from BIOS problems
If you have a CMOS battery on the motherboard it may be running out of juice and need to be replaced
Could also be bad RAM, Bad PSU etc etc etc

check your error logs in right click My computer -> Manage _> Event viewer -> Application and then also System

This will tell you what is throwing up errors that could be causing a crash. That'll give you a place to start from
 
The problem started before the BIOS update, but as I say, it was also not there before the BIOS update and frankly, I think all I really did was install the same version of the BIOS because it hasn't been updated for several years.

As for the RAM, last night I tried two sticks and the computer wouldn't boot for some reason, so I went with a single stick and I still had the freezing problems. It's possible that I just happened to pick the one bad stick out of four, but I suspect it is not the RAM.

The last time I installed Windows was a couple months ago. I had installed Ubuntu, but that kept freezing, too (so if that tells you anything, it's that it's not a Windows problem). At the time, I thought it was just Ubuntu, so I reinstalled Windows to configure my computer as a TV media center. Obviously, that doesn't work so well when it keeps freezing. I know it's not spyware or anything because I know what I'm doing when it comes to that stuff and the only web sites the computer has visited are Netflix and a couple driver update sites (like MOTU). Since it is a new install with barely anything actually installed on the computer, you can be sure that there aren't a bunch of random processes eating up memory.

The wireless card I got refurbished from woot and it seems to lose connection randomly, so I don't know if that's an indicator of it potentially creating other problems, but I can try it without that.

The PSU isn't bad. It's actually fairly new, as I got it to replace a smaller wattage PSU. I built the computer myself, so I'm fairly comfortable swapping components around. The mobo is a little older, I would say at least 4-5 years, though I can't imagine the battery having gone bad in that time.

When I boot up and hit delete to enter the BIOS settings, it always shows an error about overclocking, which I don't have set up in the first place, so I'm not really sure what that's all about. Maybe it's related? The computer isn't crashing, though, so the processor shouldn't be overheating, especially since I had that problem with a previous processor and bought a giant fan/heatsink to make sure it didn't happen again.
 
Specifically what is the error message regarding over clocking (something to do with RAM timings or voltages maybe, or perhaps CPU multiplier) Updating the BIOS may have changed some settings that are affecting system performance

Why do you suspect it's not the RAM have you run memetest or anything especially since when you change he RAM configuration you get diferent reslts when booting. What RAM are you running since you mention it's mismatched, that could be an issue if the different types need different votages to run

CMOS Battery life can be anything from 5-9 years (somtimes less) It's not out the the question for a CMOS battery to be going out after 4-5 years

could even be a virus Did you run Kill disc or anything before reinstalling windows to toatally wipe the drive

Even a brand new PSU can be bad. Ive seen even very high end ones fail first time out of the box. Just cos you have a new ish PSU doesn't mean it's working right
 
Have you checked what actual temperature everything is at?
 
legionserial said:
Have you checked what actual temperature everything is at?
Click to expand...
No, but I can.

I suspect it's not the memory because even with just one stick in there it freezes up, so it wouldn't have anything to do with it being mismatched, especially since it used to work just fine with exactly the same RAM. And, since the BIOS haven't been updated in several years, assuming that I did already have the current version before, then the RAM has worked just fine with the current BIOS. I will continue swapping out components to see what happens, but at this point, it seems to me that RAM is not the issue.

While I did get this hard drive from a friend, it has been wiped at least 3 times since then and I have never gotten a virus since I have owned it, so I am pretty confident that a virus is not the problem. Also, like I said, even with Ubuntu installed it would freeze up. I could be wrong, but I'm not sure how a Windows virus would freeze up Ubuntu.

I think if the PSU was bad, the computer would shut down, not just freeze up. It can stay on forever in frozen up mode, it's just frozen.
 
thebigcheese said:
No, but I can.

I suspect it's not the memory because even with just one stick in there it freezes up, so it wouldn't have anything to do with it being mismatched, especially since it used to work just fine with exactly the same RAM. And, since the BIOS haven't been updated in several years, assuming that I did already have the current version before, then the RAM has worked just fine with the current BIOS. I will continue swapping out components to see what happens, but at this point, it seems to me that RAM is not the issue.

While I did get this hard drive from a friend, it has been wiped at least 3 times since then and I have never gotten a virus since I have owned it, so I am pretty confident that a virus is not the problem. Also, like I said, even with Ubuntu installed it would freeze up. I could be wrong, but I'm not sure how a Windows virus would freeze up Ubuntu.

I think if the PSU was bad, the computer would shut down, not just freeze up. It can stay on forever in frozen up mode, it's just frozen.
Click to expand...

My bet is on the RAM
it goes bad enentually from normal use, but if your running mismatched RAM there's always the chance that you're over or undervolting some of it, or running it an non standard timings that work for some of the sticks (overclocking) which will shorten it's life span and cause it to fail that much faster for the sticks that requier different timings. One day it works and then it doesn't
Generally it's a poor idea to mix and match RAM
 
That may sound silly, but I have fixed quite a few computers by simply doing that: Do you have files in your desktop? I mean real files or folders, instead of shortcuts only? When the ammount of memory used by files actually saved on Desktop reaches a certain number, the computer starts to behave kinda oddly, producing random and crazy errors.

If that`s not your case, I would bet a beer that your problem is related to temperature.
Like, if you just leave the computer idle and soon it freezes by itself, the chances of overheating are massive. Download Speedfan or any other thermal control software and let us know the temps it reads.

Hope it helps.:)
 
It's not desktop icons. I learned that a long time ago and now there is literally nothing on my desktop, except for the My Computer icon and Recycling Bin. I keep a tidy ship. Also, the only programs I even have installed are those relating to testing/updating my computer (from the mobo disc), an AC3 codec, and some DVD burning software.

I'm quite certain it's not temperature. While sitting here running Netflix streaming, it went from 29-37 celcius. It's possible that it might go up another degree or two, but it changes very slowly and I don't have all day to sit around watching it. It's also been pretty steady at 37 for the past couple minutes, so I suspect it will stay there. From what I can tell from my brief searching online, that is considerably less than the "normal" operating temperature, so I don't think there's much cause for concern.

I'm testing a different stick of RAM right now, though it is still one of the sticks that was in there before. I don't want to buy new RAM until I'm sure that's the problem. So far, though, I have made it through enough of the movie to have Netflix stop working twice. Normally, it will stop working, then I have to disable/enable my wireless card, start watching again, and then it will freeze up at some point. This time, Netflix has frozen up twice without my computer freezing, so that's good. Hmm... well, it just froze for a second after I said that, but only briefly and then started working again. That's interesting. I haven't had that happen yet. Well, if it makes it through the rest of the movie without freezing, I will concede that it must be the RAM. The wireless card is screwy, too, but that's an easy fix (just use wired, duh).

EDIT: Heh, spoke too soon. Froze up again. That's two out of four sticks of RAM with different specs, yet the problem is still pretty much identical. Now you see why I suspect it isn't the RAM.
 
As an interesting side note, with the wireless card installed, I couldn't even get the mobo install disc to load up, but now, with the wireless card completely removed, the disc works fine. However, the LAN still won't connect. So I feel like the wireless card was impacting more things than it should have.
 
thebigcheese said:
I think if the PSU was bad, the computer would shut down, not just freeze up. It can stay on forever in frozen up mode, it's just frozen.
Click to expand...

Not neccessarily. A power spike or any other kind of anomoly or irregularity could cause your pc to crash.

Another thought, and I hope for the sake of your sanity that this isn't an issue, but IRQ's spring to mind. Especially being as you mention your wireless card causing problems. Luckily it's probably not an IRQ conflict, but they can cause havok, not just to your computer, but to the mind of whatever poor soul has to screw around with the things..
 
Maybe I have lost my beer, but maybe not. I have seen my computer freezing before with the CPU in excellent temperature, but the North Bridge burning. I think it's not your case, but if you want to rule out the temperature issue completely, I would place a regular house fan right in front of the open case and see if it freezes while you work.

Also, try using your card in a different PCI. Sometimes PCI slots start working funny, and they can easily interfere in everything else when they're in bad shape.

Hope I'm not bugging you with all that, really. Just trying to help here.

PS. Have you already reset your mobo settings to default at F1?
 
I also believe it could be the PSU. PSU's can cause some funny things to happen. They are also, in my experience, one of the first parts to wear out on a system. Especially the cheap OEM PSU's that pre-built machines come with.
 
thebigcheese said:
It's not desktop icons. I learned that a long time ago and now there is literally nothing on my desktop, except for the My Computer icon and Recycling Bin. I keep a tidy ship. Also, the only programs I even have installed are those relating to testing/updating my computer (from the mobo disc), an AC3 codec, and some DVD burning software.

I'm quite certain it's not temperature. While sitting here running Netflix streaming, it went from 29-37 celcius. It's possible that it might go up another degree or two, but it changes very slowly and I don't have all day to sit around watching it. It's also been pretty steady at 37 for the past couple minutes, so I suspect it will stay there. From what I can tell from my brief searching online, that is considerably less than the "normal" operating temperature, so I don't think there's much cause for concern.

I'm testing a different stick of RAM right now, though it is still one of the sticks that was in there before. I don't want to buy new RAM until I'm sure that's the problem. So far, though, I have made it through enough of the movie to have Netflix stop working twice. Normally, it will stop working, then I have to disable/enable my wireless card, start watching again, and then it will freeze up at some point. This time, Netflix has frozen up twice without my computer freezing, so that's good. Hmm... well, it just froze for a second after I said that, but only briefly and then started working again. That's interesting. I haven't had that happen yet. Well, if it makes it through the rest of the movie without freezing, I will concede that it must be the RAM. The wireless card is screwy, too, but that's an easy fix (just use wired, duh).

EDIT: Heh, spoke too soon. Froze up again. That's two out of four sticks of RAM with different specs, yet the problem is still pretty much identical. Now you see why I suspect it isn't the RAM.
Click to expand...


Make sure the Ram Timings and Voltages are correct in the BIOS for whichever RAM stick you are testing
Also Google Memtest 86. You can make a bootable CD that will torure test your ram without having to boot windows to check it for errors
 
It isn't a pre-built machine. I built it myself. The processor is a pretty nice one, an Athlon 64 X2. It's about 2 years old.

I will look up Memtest and see what that says. In the meantime, here are the specs of my PC:

-Asus A8S-X mobo
-AMD Athlon 64 X2 4600+
-RAM-well, various types, so I won't go into that right now
-Video: Connect3D Radeon X1300
-VIA firewire PCI card (I think)
-Some extra USB ports that plug into the mobo (not PCI)
-Western Digital HDD (I think)
-Samsung DVD burner
-Kingwin 450w PSU

I'm using onboard sound and LAN, though the LAN doesn't seem to be working.

edit: I should add that if "MB" in my temp probe thing means "motherboard," then that temperature is about 29 Celsius, too. I've got both a processor fan and a chassis fan.
 
Some good news finally: I at least have the LAN working now. Just had to run the network setup wizard, I guess, though I don't think I've ever had to do that before... whatever, as long as it works. I can now resume my netflix testing to see if it freezes. If it does, then I still don't know what the problem is, but if not, then it was the wireless card.

I can't seem to check the RAM specs in the BIOS. It just tells me how much I have installed, not what speed or voltage they're at.

Edit: Some more good news. I managed to make it through an entire Netflix movie with no problems. It's not definitive proof, I guess, but it seems like the computer is working. Maybe it was a driver conflict or something? It kinda makes sense in that I never had problems before I put in the wireless card.
 
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