Computer freezes up ~ I must unplug to reboot .
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Thread: Computer freezes up ~ I must unplug to reboot .

  1. #1
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    Unhappy Computer freezes up ~ I must unplug to reboot .

    In 2009 I purchased an HP desktop - model 6750t, running Vista SP2, 64 bit system.

    For about a month now I can be using the computer and all of a sudden nothing works. The arrow pointer will not move. I cannot reboot by pushing the power button on the CPU, I have to unplug the unit.

    I have not added any new software or hardware which may have caused this to occur.

    Any assistance is appreciated.
    Lucy

  2. #2
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    Overheating does that. Open the case and use canned air [buy it at the store] to get the dust and junk out of it.

    I use something like q-tips dipped in 70% or better, alcohol to clean the fan blades.

    If the video card has a fan, remove the card and make sure the air passages are clear.

    I do suggest taking the computer outside while cleaning.
    And I assumed, as you did not say, that this computer is a desktop.

  3. #3
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    Thanks Train ~ I have compressed air and alcohol. I am hesitant because someone told me long ago (if I remember correctly) that I could get a shock if I go into the CPU. Is that correct?
    Lucy

  4. #4
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    Unplug the computer from the wall power outlet first then you will be ok.

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  5. #5
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    I completely disconnect everything from the computer.

    You will be safe then.

  6. #6
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    As long as there is no AC power connected you should be OK.

    If you disconnect all of the other device cables, you may want to label each of the USB cables first so you can put them back in the same USB connectors as before to avoid potential issues.

  7. #7
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    All ~ Thanks for advice. jdc2000 ~ I took cell phone pix of connections just for that reason. Will air it out later today.

    Thanks again.
    Lucy

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by Lucy123 View Post
    All ~ Thanks for advice. jdc2000 ~ I took cell phone pix of connections just for that reason. Will air it out later today.

    Thanks again.
    I cleaned it out today, although it was not dusty (in the shop 10 months ago). Now it's doing it again. It just happened during this email.

    What else could cause it to 'freeze up' and not work until I reboot it?

    Driving me crazy if I need to use it
    Lucy

  9. #9
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    Check the motherboard for bad caps. Example pics on the on lower right side: http://www.badcaps.net/

  10. #10
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    When I lived in the Seattle area, I had to clean everything every 3 weeks max. No choice !
    Be happy you can go that long.

  11. #11
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    Midknyte ~ Me looking at the photos in the badcaps link you sent me is like I'm looing at the moon. I have no idea what I'm seeing. Sorry, I'm not able to use those pictures of motherboards.
    Lucy

  12. #12
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    There are some good annotated pics of bad and good capacitors here..

    https://www.google.ca/search?q=bad+c...h=695&dpr=1.3#

    Basically the capacitors are small barrel shaped electronic components that bulge or leak (or even explode) when bad.

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  13. #13
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  14. #14
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    I thank all of you for explaining what a bad capacitor is and might look like. If this is my problem it means a trip to a local pc repair shop (since I don't have those repair skills). Short of it being a capacitor issue, is there anything else that might be causing it to freeze up?

    Thanks again for all of your input.
    Lucy

  15. #15
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    Possibly a video driver issue, either not new enough or to new.

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