Computer "freezing". What now?

[pirred908]

I'm having probelms with my computer freezing up on me. I've had four occurance.

Twice while playing a game.

Once while trying to reinstall a game, after a windows reinstall.

and once when I left my computer on for a couple days without useing it. When I came back it would not wake the monitor up from stand-by (stayed on the black screen). Also, when I turned off the PC manually, and turned it back on it still did not activate the monitor from stand-by. I tried a different monitor and had the same probelem. I reset the BIOS useing the CMOS jumper, and that fixed it.

What do you think the issue could be?

I'm running Memtest86+ right now, and so far no errors.

 

[xitshsif]

heat

 

[t3h l337 n3wb]

Most likely CPU, RAM, or mobo instability. Could be caused by overclocking too much, undervolting, or heat.

 

[Jiggz]

Assuming you are not overclocking, it could just be a setting in the bios. Why don't you try setting the bios to its default with conservative settings and see if the problem goes away.

 

[Nick5324]

Originally posted by: xitshsif
heat

I'm thinking this as well.

OP, do you overclock your CPU, GPU, and/or RAM? If so, your cooling may not be up to task. Even if you don't overclock, you still could have a heat problem. Make sure you don't have a problem with dust in any fans, and you might need to upgrade (or add?) your case fan(s).

 

[pirred908]

First off, thank you to everyone that replyed.

Heres my current status.

I just got back from work and turned my monitor on to find that memtest86+ had been running for 25 hours with 0 errors.

I restarted the PC and looked at all the temps in the BIOS (CPU,PWM,Chipset). All within normal range.

I loaded windows and everything was ok for a few minutes, than it locked up again.

I tried to manually reset the PC by pressing the reset button. It sounded/looked like it was about to reset, but before it could get to the motherboard logo screen, the monitor went into stand-by. I tried toggling the monitor on and off, but it said there was no input signal comming from the PC.

I tried resetting the BIOS useing the CMOS jumper, no help.

I tried letting it sit off for awhile, thinking it was related to heat. No help.

Did my motherboard or some other componet decide to just die on me?

How can I go about diagnosing this?

Thanks again for your help.

P.S. I am not overclocking, and all the voltage readings in the BIOS were stable and up to the proper level.

 

[Jiggz]

Turn the system PSU switch off. After about a minute turn it back on and then hit the power switch on the case. When the system boots and you see win xp logo press F8 and boot in Safe Mode. While in safe mode, ran anti spyware program like Spyware Dr. or Spy Sweeper. After this do a virus scan. After this, click on Start->Run-> and type Chkdsk /f. Now reboot the system. Let us know what you find out. If the system still does not boot. Try the F8 boot again and boot in safe mode. Click Start->Run and type Restore. Restore the system during a time before the problem started showing. If this does not work still, try a different PSU of higher rating.

 

[pirred908]

Originally posted by: Jiggz

Turn the system PSU switch off. Done

After about a minute turn it back on and then hit the power switch on the case. Done

When the system boots and you see win xp logo press F8 and boot in Safe Mode.Done

While in safe mode, ran anti spyware program like Spyware Dr. or Spy Sweeper. Done

After this do a virus scan. Done

After this, click on Start->Run-> and type Chkdsk /f. Done

Now reboot the system. PC froze at this point at motherboard logo screen.

Let us know what you find out. Anti-spam/virus scans found no problems.

If the system still does not boot. Try the F8 boot again and boot in safe mode. Can't get the PC past the motherboard logo screen as of now.

Click Start->Run and type Restore. Restore the system during a time before the problem started showing. I have formatted since the probelm started, no restore points avaliable.

If this does not work still, try a different PSU of higher rating.Tried an Antec 500W PSU, same problem occured.

Thank you again, hopefully you have some more ideas :-/

 

[xitshsif]

Make sure all your PCI or PCIe cards are seated correctly. Pull them out and put them back in. A single card making intermittent contact could lead to a system intermittently failing.

 

[pirred908]

All the cards are in tight.

 

[Puffnstuff]

I might be that your ps is going bad. You'll have to either check the rails with a digital multimeter or swap in another unit to be sure.