Random lockups, at my wit's end

Golbeze · May 2, 2009, 09:03 PM

Since Monday my computer's been randomly just freezing up. There's never an indicator of if it's gonna happen, everything can be running smoothly when suddenly, it's frozen, and the only thing I can do is turn it off or hard reset it. I've ran memtest and the memory's come back clean, ran a disk check and defrag, tried uninstalling programs that I had installed before the freezing started, all to no avail, and at this point I'm ready to throw the thing out my window. My system specs can be found under my name.

Tyrsonswood · May 2, 2009, 09:21 PM

Do you remember the last change you made right before this started? I know you said you've been removing programs installed before this started, but what was the last thing before the first lockup.......

Also, is there one program that is running during ALL of the lockups?

Just trying to narrow things down.

Golbeze · May 2, 2009, 09:26 PM

Last change to my system was installing the Intellipoint program for my new microsoft mouse, which was a week before the freezups. I've tried cleaning out the program and switching back to the old mouse, which didn't fix it. And no, there's no specific program that's open when it happens. I've had it happen shortly happen logging in before opening anything, and I've had it happen when the computer's been on for an entire day or two.

Tyrsonswood · May 2, 2009, 09:31 PM

What about startup programs, anti virus and such, I would imagine you have some of those running at startup. But you say it's locked during "logging in" so it's probably a driver....... maybe even the mouse driver could be corrupt.

Golbeze · May 2, 2009, 09:36 PM

Well, by logging in, I meant after I've gotten to the desktop, and yah, forgot about startup programs. Programs that I've had loading on startup are my antivirus, Antivir, Realtek Audio Manager, and WLAN, which is a program I have running to stop Vista from searching for a better wireless access point every 30 seconds as it was causing lag spikes in my online games. All these programs have been running on my computer for quite a while now, long before any of the freezes started occuring.

Edit: I've switched back to my wired and turned off WLAN, and am in the process of downloading and installing a new version of my antivirus. Hoping maybe one of those two things will stop the lockups.

Golbeze · May 2, 2009, 09:54 PM

And an update >.< During installation of the antivirus, it had me restart the computer. It froze at the bootup screen, that it the very first screen the BIOS shows when you first turn on the computer. Twice in a row. I hope my motherboard's not going south >.<

Tyrsonswood · May 2, 2009, 10:21 PM

May be worth while to open it up and check all connections, PSU, ram, video card and such just to be sure.

Golbeze · May 2, 2009, 10:27 PM

Already did, everything is secure, checked all connections, reseated the memory, sound and all PCI cards, reseated the memory. Did all that yesterday morning and just rechecked a moment ago.

Oh, and after rechecking everything a moment ago I did a BIOS update, hoping maybe it'll help. Will report back if the computer freezes again.

Tyrsonswood · May 2, 2009, 10:32 PM

Well that rules those things out..... did it get past the bios screen yet? I can't see how an anti virus install could stop it from booting that early...... can you at least get into setup?

Also do you have another system or mobo you can check the PSU with?

Golbeze · May 2, 2009, 10:37 PM

Yah, it got past the BIOS screen, when it froze the two times the hard reset let it get past the BIOS and into Windows. That's how I downloaded the new BIOS, turned off the computer to recheck all the wires and cards again, then boot back up to try updating the BIOS. As for another computer to check the PSU, not really.

**MIG-31** · May 2, 2009, 10:38 PM

This may sound a little offtopic.. And I'm not saying this is a definite fix.

As from what i have read in the opening post this appears to be the same problem my sisters pc had...It would run for an average of 30 mins to an hour and then tottaly freeze.

I ran memtest/Disk check,antiviras and spyware apps for her with nothing found.

After two hours or so i swapped the PSU with one i had lying around... After doing so the problem was solved..

I know it may be a little hassle but if you have a PSU spare it may be worth trying it to see if this helps.

Mac Daddy · May 2, 2009, 10:40 PM

I have been reading along too Mig and sounds like a PSU issue here. Ty was touching on that as well.

Golbeze · May 2, 2009, 10:42 PM

Unfortunately I don't have a spare PSU either. And my computer tends to run on hours on end before freezing, ran it all day yesterday with no problem at all, and the previous day it had been on for a day and a half, then finally froze at night.

Golbeze · May 2, 2009, 10:46 PM

Hmm, on second thought, I'm gonna try something. There is another computer in my house, it belongs to my mom. Gonna try swapping our PSU's, her computer is a somewhat older one I had rebuilt for her, the PSU it has was also once mine. Gonna try it out, see what happens.

Actually, I'll wait and see if my computer freezes again, seeing as I updated the BIOS. If it does, then I'll try swapping the PSUs.

Mac Daddy · May 2, 2009, 10:52 PM

Let us know how you make out and BTW some nice troubleshooting help by Ty (And Mig as well)

**MIG-31** · May 2, 2009, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Golbeze

Unfortunately I don't have a spare PSU either. And my computer tends to run on hours on end before freezing, ran it all day yesterday with no problem at all, and the previous day it had been on for a day and a half, then finally froze at night.

When she first asked me about the freezing issue,This started off every few hours...my first thought was over heating.. I cleaned it out for her,Including the CPU Heat sink which was a little dusty but nothing excessive.

The time between freezing became much shorter within a few days.. I'd still try out another PSU if you can.

Golbeze · May 2, 2009, 10:58 PM

Yah, if it freezes again, I will try out the PSU in my mom's computer. I'm really hoping that's not the issue, but then I'm hoping it's not the motherboard, either. I can't really afford a new one of either right now.

Tyrsonswood · May 2, 2009, 11:49 PM

Yeah, try the psu swap if the bios update didn't fix it, but make sure the older one is up to speed amperage wise, or it could cause it's own issues.

SeraphicSorcerer · May 3, 2009, 12:11 AM

I just skimmed the post, but a way of testing the Power supply if you don't have a spare is under-clock the components. This lowers the wattage strain and can help identify if it's a PSU issue. Also Sometimes freezing is heat related make sure its blown out, Graphics, Heatsink, Motherboard etc. (sorry if that was covered).

Golbeze · May 6, 2009, 04:48 AM

Status update; ran fine for three days, then tonite after getting home from work it froze again on BIOS bootup. So, Ive switched my and my mom's PSU's, see what happens, whether my computer freezes up again or if hers does as it has my psu now.

Mac Daddy · May 6, 2009, 12:15 PM

That should let you know either way keep us posted

Golbeze · May 13, 2009, 08:01 AM

Well, figured I'd give an update. Since switching power supplies my computer hasn't frozen up since, but neither has my mom's. Don't know what to make of that, other than maybe my mom's computer just isn't stressing it enough to cause any freezes. For comparison her computer is an Athlon 64 X2 4400+ (S939), Geforce 7600GT with a single 80GB HDD and onboard sound. Gonna leave our computers as-is for the time being, see if anything ever happens.

GigaWatt · May 13, 2009, 11:48 AM

great job figuring out the problem...

... looks like it was the PSU...

kind of late reply, but i just saw this thread... LOL

Mac Daddy · May 13, 2009, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Golbeze

Well, figured I'd give an update. Since switching power supplies my computer hasn't frozen up since, but neither has my mom's. Don't know what to make of that, other than maybe my mom's computer just isn't stressing it enough to cause any freezes. For comparison her computer is an Athlon 64 X2 4400+ (S939), Geforce 7600GT with a single 80GB HDD and onboard sound. Gonna leave our computers as-is for the time being, see if anything ever happens.

Glad both systems are working fine but odd your moms is if the PSU was the issue.

Tyrsonswood · May 13, 2009, 01:18 PM

Right on! It could be that your Moms system isn't drawing so hard on that psu, like you say, and that could make the difference. Glad it worked out for you.....

You DID tell your Mom about this, right?

SeraphicSorcerer · May 13, 2009, 01:58 PM

Of course he did, he just told his mom he was upgrading her! :P

GigaWatt · May 13, 2009, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seraphicsorcerer

of course he did, he just told his mom he was upgrading her!

loooooooool :d :d :d

Mac Daddy · May 14, 2009, 01:59 AM

charm_quark · May 15, 2009, 12:55 PM

upgrade uh!

Golbeze · May 22, 2009, 03:28 PM

Well, after running fine for so long, my computer just froze up again this morning while browsing the internet, so I think I can rule out the power supply. What next? The fact it has frozen up on POST suggests the motherboard, but is there anything else that could cause it? Especially seeing as the RAM came out clean on memtest.

May 2, 2009, 09:03 PM	#1
Golbeze HardwareHeaven Addict Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 276 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Random lockups, at my wit's end Since Monday my computer's been randomly just freezing up. There's never an indicator of if it's gonna happen, everything can be running smoothly when suddenly, it's frozen, and the only thing I can do is turn it off or hard reset it. I've ran memtest and the memory's come back clean, ran a disk check and defrag, tried uninstalling programs that I had installed before the freezing started, all to no avail, and at this point I'm ready to throw the thing out my window. My system specs can be found under my name. Last edited by Golbeze; May 2, 2009 at 09:09 PM.

May 2, 2009, 09:26 PM	Thread Starter #3
Golbeze HardwareHeaven Addict Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 276 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Re: Random lockups, at my wit's end Last change to my system was installing the Intellipoint program for my new microsoft mouse, which was a week before the freezups. I've tried cleaning out the program and switching back to the old mouse, which didn't fix it. And no, there's no specific program that's open when it happens. I've had it happen shortly happen logging in before opening anything, and I've had it happen when the computer's been on for an entire day or two.

May 2, 2009, 09:36 PM	Thread Starter #5
Golbeze HardwareHeaven Addict Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 276 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Re: Random lockups, at my wit's end Well, by logging in, I meant after I've gotten to the desktop, and yah, forgot about startup programs. Programs that I've had loading on startup are my antivirus, Antivir, Realtek Audio Manager, and WLAN, which is a program I have running to stop Vista from searching for a better wireless access point every 30 seconds as it was causing lag spikes in my online games. All these programs have been running on my computer for quite a while now, long before any of the freezes started occuring. Edit: I've switched back to my wired and turned off WLAN, and am in the process of downloading and installing a new version of my antivirus. Hoping maybe one of those two things will stop the lockups. Last edited by Golbeze; May 2, 2009 at 09:45 PM.

May 2, 2009, 09:54 PM	Thread Starter #6
Golbeze HardwareHeaven Addict Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 276 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Re: Random lockups, at my wit's end And an update >.< During installation of the antivirus, it had me restart the computer. It froze at the bootup screen, that it the very first screen the BIOS shows when you first turn on the computer. Twice in a row. I hope my motherboard's not going south >.<

May 2, 2009, 10:27 PM	Thread Starter #8
Golbeze HardwareHeaven Addict Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 276 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Re: Random lockups, at my wit's end Already did, everything is secure, checked all connections, reseated the memory, sound and all PCI cards, reseated the memory. Did all that yesterday morning and just rechecked a moment ago. Oh, and after rechecking everything a moment ago I did a BIOS update, hoping maybe it'll help. Will report back if the computer freezes again.

May 2, 2009, 10:37 PM	Thread Starter #10
Golbeze HardwareHeaven Addict Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 276 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Re: Random lockups, at my wit's end Yah, it got past the BIOS screen, when it froze the two times the hard reset let it get past the BIOS and into Windows. That's how I downloaded the new BIOS, turned off the computer to recheck all the wires and cards again, then boot back up to try updating the BIOS. As for another computer to check the PSU, not really.

May 2, 2009, 10:38 PM	#11
MIG-31 HardwareHeaven News Mod Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Nottingham,UK Posts: 56,821 Rep Power: 471 System Specs	Re: Random lockups, at my wit's end This may sound a little offtopic.. And I'm not saying this is a definite fix. As from what i have read in the opening post this appears to be the same problem my sisters pc had...It would run for an average of 30 mins to an hour and then tottaly freeze. I ran memtest/Disk check,antiviras and spyware apps for her with nothing found. After two hours or so i swapped the PSU with one i had lying around... After doing so the problem was solved.. I know it may be a little hassle but if you have a PSU spare it may be worth trying it to see if this helps. __________________ Please Post Your News Submissions Here

May 2, 2009, 10:40 PM	#12
Mac Daddy DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 7,950 Rep Power: 79 System Specs	Re: Random lockups, at my wit's end I have been reading along too Mig and sounds like a PSU issue here. Ty was touching on that as well. __________________ "My mom said the only reason men are alive is for lawn care and vehicle maintenance." - Tim Allen

May 2, 2009, 10:42 PM	Thread Starter #13
Golbeze HardwareHeaven Addict Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 276 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Re: Random lockups, at my wit's end Unfortunately I don't have a spare PSU either. And my computer tends to run on hours on end before freezing, ran it all day yesterday with no problem at all, and the previous day it had been on for a day and a half, then finally froze at night.

May 2, 2009, 10:46 PM	Thread Starter #14
Golbeze HardwareHeaven Addict Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 276 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Re: Random lockups, at my wit's end Hmm, on second thought, I'm gonna try something. There is another computer in my house, it belongs to my mom. Gonna try swapping our PSU's, her computer is a somewhat older one I had rebuilt for her, the PSU it has was also once mine. Gonna try it out, see what happens. Actually, I'll wait and see if my computer freezes again, seeing as I updated the BIOS. If it does, then I'll try swapping the PSUs.

May 2, 2009, 10:52 PM	#15
Mac Daddy DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 7,950 Rep Power: 79 System Specs	Re: Random lockups, at my wit's end Let us know how you make out and BTW some nice troubleshooting help by Ty (And Mig as well) __________________ "My mom said the only reason men are alive is for lawn care and vehicle maintenance." - Tim Allen

May 2, 2009, 10:58 PM	Thread Starter #17
Golbeze HardwareHeaven Addict Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 276 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Re: Random lockups, at my wit's end Yah, if it freezes again, I will try out the PSU in my mom's computer. I'm really hoping that's not the issue, but then I'm hoping it's not the motherboard, either. I can't really afford a new one of either right now.

May 3, 2009, 12:11 AM	#19
SeraphicSorcerer HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Florida Posts: 2,295 Rep Power: 156 System Specs	Re: Random lockups, at my wit's end I just skimmed the post, but a way of testing the Power supply if you don't have a spare is under-clock the components. This lowers the wattage strain and can help identify if it's a PSU issue. Also Sometimes freezing is heat related make sure its blown out, Graphics, Heatsink, Motherboard etc. (sorry if that was covered). __________________

May 6, 2009, 04:48 AM	Thread Starter #20
Golbeze HardwareHeaven Addict Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 276 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Re: Random lockups, at my wit's end Status update; ran fine for three days, then tonite after getting home from work it froze again on BIOS bootup. So, Ive switched my and my mom's PSU's, see what happens, whether my computer freezes up again or if hers does as it has my psu now.

May 6, 2009, 12:15 PM	#21
Mac Daddy DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 7,950 Rep Power: 79 System Specs	Re: Random lockups, at my wit's end That should let you know either way keep us posted __________________ "My mom said the only reason men are alive is for lawn care and vehicle maintenance." - Tim Allen

May 13, 2009, 08:01 AM	Thread Starter #22
Golbeze HardwareHeaven Addict Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 276 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Re: Random lockups, at my wit's end Well, figured I'd give an update. Since switching power supplies my computer hasn't frozen up since, but neither has my mom's. Don't know what to make of that, other than maybe my mom's computer just isn't stressing it enough to cause any freezes. For comparison her computer is an Athlon 64 X2 4400+ (S939), Geforce 7600GT with a single 80GB HDD and onboard sound. Gonna leave our computers as-is for the time being, see if anything ever happens.

May 13, 2009, 11:48 AM	#23
GigaWatt Now In Color :D Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Macedonia, Skopje Posts: 2,116 Rep Power: 81 System Specs	Re: Random lockups, at my wit's end great job figuring out the problem... ... looks like it was the PSU... kind of late reply, but i just saw this thread... LOL __________________ It's not schisophrenia... it's just a voice in my head...

May 13, 2009, 01:58 PM	#26
SeraphicSorcerer HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Florida Posts: 2,295 Rep Power: 156 System Specs	Re: Random lockups, at my wit's end Of course he did, he just told his mom he was upgrading her! :P __________________

May 14, 2009, 01:59 AM	#28
Mac Daddy DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 7,950 Rep Power: 79 System Specs	Re: Random lockups, at my wit's end __________________ "My mom said the only reason men are alive is for lawn care and vehicle maintenance." - Tim Allen

May 15, 2009, 12:55 PM	#29
charm_quark incognito Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: BoTsWaNa Posts: 2,437 Rep Power: 140	Re: Random lockups, at my wit's end upgrade uh! __________________ Three quarks for Muster Mark! Sure he has not got much of a bark And sure any he has it's all beside the mark. —James Joyce, Finnegans Wake

May 22, 2009, 03:28 PM	Thread Starter #30
Golbeze HardwareHeaven Addict Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 276 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Re: Random lockups, at my wit's end Well, after running fine for so long, my computer just froze up again this morning while browsing the internet, so I think I can rule out the power supply. What next? The fact it has frozen up on POST suggests the motherboard, but is there anything else that could cause it? Especially seeing as the RAM came out clean on memtest.