I'm having a serious hardware problem here. Something is causing my PC to freeze up constantly.
Nothing works when it happens. The video is frozen and I can't so much as move the mouse. If I press the caps lock button, the light on the keyboard doesn't change. It is totally frozen and I have to punch the power button. It is doing this in Windows and Linux, so it can't be a software problem.
When I reboot, it takes much longer than usual to start booting. The dvd drive clicks loudly and the green light flashes. Once it gets going, it boots fine. Then, at some point everything just stops again.
I took the dvd drive out completely, thinking that was the problem. But it still takes way too long to start booting. The first time I tried to boot like that, it crashed before Windows finished loading. I'm on the 2nd boot now and waiting for it to happen again.
This all started the night I burned a copy of an XP install disc with SP2 slipstreamed onto it. I did that in Windows (better burning software). Then I rebooted to Linux and tried to install XP on a virtual machine and it froze up the whole computer. Then it did it again. and again.
I thought the disc was bad and causing VMware to crash and that this had messed up Linux by crashing it repeatedly. Then I realized it was doing it in Windows too.
I'm going to go run a memory test to see if the RAM is OK. Anyone have any other suggestions? I HAVE to have this thing working.
Got enough "free space" on your Hard Drives?
How about Disk fragmentation?
How about checking your device drivers in Control Panel - System - Hardware - Device Manager
for any yellow or red warnings. (select to "remove" any with warnings, then reinstall either via Windows or installing directly if you require a specific driver for your system)
How about getting the hardware diagnostic from your Hard Drive manufacturer site to run on your Hard Drive.
How about running CHKDSK
Set the order to boot from the CD Rom 1st and the Hard drive 2nd.
Put your Windows CD in the tray, then "Exit with Saving" the settings (far right tab)
1. Boot with your windows CD
2. Type R to Enter the Recovery Console
3. Enter the Administrator password (if there is one)
4. Type: chkdsk c: /r and press Enter <<
5. Once completed (if no errors of unrecovery) Type: chkdsk c: /p and press Enter
6. Type: fixboot c: and press Enter
7. Boot Normally
or
Run CHKDSK from your recovery console or directly from Start - Run chkdsk /p
Since I don't dual-boot, nor run Linux, that's all I've got for you.
There's two or three hundred gigs free on the hard drives and I've done chkdsk and fsck on both of them. This is happening to Windows and Linux both, so it won't be a bad device driver. I'll check it anyway when it finishes the memory tests.
It's been up for 40 minutes now during the memory tests. Another 20 minutes or so and that'll be a record for uptime since this all started. Maybe it was the DVD drive and I just had bad luck with that first boot up.
I hope you're right.
If it's possessed, I favor the various Native American ritual chants.
People around here often complain that they hear strange sounds when I'm trying to fix something on my machine.
I have to admit, it's usually me.
Doug
Locked up solid, 45 minutes 59 seconds into memory testing. No errors found before it locked.
So it's not the DVD drive and it's (probably) not the RAM.
I guess the next thing is to look at the graphics card, but I have no idea how to test that. I dont' have a spare video card.
If it is the video card, it could be heat or power supply affecting it.
Physically inspecting the card, its heatsink and fan would be a start.
Any dust bunnies?
Possibly trying another power connector if there is a free one?
Is your power supply adequate for the demands of your pci cards, and DVD burner etc?
If you decide to reinstall the video driver, don't forget to use the manufacturer's tool to completely uninstall the old driver before reinstalling.
Seems that you're on track with your problem-solving.
Wish there was a more expert Member online right now to cut to the center of this puzzle for you.
Best Regards
Ok. First, check for dust bunnies, and that all fans are working OK. While in the case, check that the electrolytic capacitors are not leaking, as the symptoms you describe are common the that sort of failure.
Ok. First, check for dust bunnies, and that all fans are working OK. While in the case, check that the electrolyitic capacitors are not leaking, as the symptoms you describe are common the that sort of failure.
Like dave 38, I have seen many PC's lock-up / shutdown because the CPU / Power Supply fan isn't running.
I checked all the cables and cards while I was taking out the dvd drive. Everything was nice and tight.
Coyote told me to test the RAM by taking out one stick at a time and see how the PC reacted to it. I'll check out the capacitors while I'm doing that.
That's the problem! There is only one cure, unless you are a better man than me with a soldering iron, and that it to change the motherboard. Sorry to be the bearer if bad tidings.
Better not show my face in the chatroom for a while methinks!
Doug
Wish there was a more expert Member online right now to cut to the center of this puzzle for you.
Best Regards
