Computer Freezes

[Skrappy213]

Hi guys well i was just here not long ago because i had a mess up hard drive.
I got a new one.Now i have another problem that i dont know what is causing it sometimes when im on my pc out of no where my pc freezes and it freezes to the point that i would have to reboot my pc by pressing the restart button on my desktop.This doesnt happend like alot only once in awhile.It also happends when im running a complete virus scan.Any help would be appreciated.

[dunedin]

Hello Skrappy213

Here are some things to check

1.Check for overheating
Download
Everest http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4181.html

When the program opens up click on
Computer/Sensor
You will see the temps there.

2. Had you just installed anything before freezing started?

3, Unplug everything not needed and remove all cards except video and see if it is any better. If it is, add them one at a time any try out till you find the culprit.

4. Stop anything running in the background (including Windows Updates, firewall and antivirus, but stay offline to do it) and check as above

5. Have you checked in Task Manager if anything is hogging the CPU?

6. It could be virus/spyware. Have you run scans for all types of malware?

7. Have you run chkdsk /r ?

8. Test RAM

If you have more than one stick of RAM (256MB or more) take one out and try again. If it does not help or makes things worse swap the sticks and try again. This will identify if you have a bad stick.

OR
You can put either of these free programs on a floppy and test the RAM

memtest86
http://www.memtest86.com/

Windows Memory Diagnostic
http://oca.microsoft.com/en/windiag.asp

Elaine

[Skrappy213]

1.I ran the program for overheating but dont know nothing about the temperatures this it what i got

Motherboard 29*C (84*F)

CPU 75*C (169*F)

Aux 113*C (265*F)

GPU 46*C (115*F)

MAXTOR HARD DRIVE 40*C (104*F)

2.Im taking a guess That when i 1st installed Avast antivirus thats when it started freezing not sure,i uninstalled it and it was still happening now i got Kaspersky Antivirus.Not really sure about it starting freezing because of the anti virus.

3.I dont really have alot of things connected just the basic things i would need.

5.Don't really understand what is "Hogging the CPU"

6.I have ran a scan for spyware but for virus i cant as i said everytime i want to make a full virus scan you could say it gets half way and out of nowhere it freezes and i have to restart the computer.

7.I just did it last night.Everything was great.

8.Already tested the memory there's nothing wrong with my sticks.

[lgbpop]

Your CPU temp is quite high, although without system specs I don't know if you're at or over the BIOS-controlled shutdown temp. Your auxiliary temp is way too high, do you know what it controls? Is this a store-bought computer, or a home-build? Please provide specs.

[Skrappy213]

This is a Custom Made Pc:

-ECS 945P-A LGA775,PCIX,DDR2
-FAN FOR P5-775PIN SOCKET CPU'S HEAVY DUTY
-VIDEO CARD GEFORCE FX 6600 256MB PCI-E
-HARD DRIVE 250GB 7200RPM 8MB SATA
-MEMORY DDR2 1GB
-FLOOPY DRIVE,1.44MB
-DVD RW/RW DRIVE

[Skrappy213]

Alright i noticed something everytime i try to run a full antivirus scan thats when it frezzes like i said it frezzes like half way done.

Also i have just bought a wireless router and im trying to install it but everytime i go thru the steps it freezes and only choice is to restart.Is like my windows crashes.

[lgbpop]

I'd shut down, unplug the computer and remove the CPU heatsink/fan (HSF). Make sure the top of the CPU and the bottom of the HSF are cleaned thoroughly of old thermal paste/thermal pad material, then apply new thermal paste and remount the HSF so that it fits snugly. It sounds like you're most prone to freezing/crashing when you're running the CPU hard, which makes it heat up; and the HSF isn't drawing away all the heat generated.

The other thing is, how big a PSU do you have wattage-wise? Your components use quite a bit of power, and if you only have a 350W PSU it's going to let you down, especially if it's an off-brand. ECS is not a mobo brand that inspires confidence in me, either.

[Skrappy213]

I'd shut down, unplug the computer and remove the CPU heatsink/fan (HSF). Make sure the top of the CPU and the bottom of the HSF are cleaned thoroughly of old thermal paste/thermal pad material, then apply new thermal paste and remount the HSF so that it fits snugly. It sounds like you're most prone to freezing/crashing when you're running the CPU hard, which makes it heat up; and the HSF isn't drawing away all the heat generated.

The other thing is, how big a PSU do you have wattage-wise? Your components use quite a bit of power, and if you only have a 350W PSU it's going to let you down, especially if it's an off-brand. ECS is not a mobo brand that inspires confidence in me, either.

Yeah that's it everytime i run something that makes the CPU work hard thats when my pc crashes...Can i find thermal paste in radio shack? also how do i apply it to the CPU since this is would be my first time doing it.

I got a 550w PSU.

[liam858]

I'd recommend you get some Arctic Silver 5, it is the best, and the instructions for applying it are here: http://www.arcticsilver.com/arctic_s...structions.htm

What make is your 550W?

Liam

[lgbpop]

Exactly what I was going to post. We think alike, that's disturbing.

[liam858]

Exactly what I was going to post. We think alike, that's disturbing.

We're preaching from the same bible....

VDr's Guide To Computing: Step 1 Dump AOL | Step 2.....


Liam

[Skrappy213]

What make is your 550W?

Liam

well its been awhile i been on due to a busy schedule anyway i have a Okia-550W ATX.

I have not went on and applied the thermal paste yet, i will soon.Anyway i have a question.

When i turn on my pc and it starts off on POST i see

Intel ® Pentium ® 4 CPU 3.60GHZ
Speed: 3.60GHz

But when my pc freezes and i restart that turns into

Intel ® Pentium ® 4 CPU 3.60GHZ
Speed: 3.75GHz

Is it normal to do that?? to go above the 3.60GHz?

[liam858]

Okia isn't the best of manufacturers, it's usually a PSU used for comparison in reviews on good makes, such as Enermax/Thermaltake models.

Check the BIOS and see what options are available under CPU, and frequency, it sounds like it is unlocked and jumping up and down by itself, if you can set optimal defaults, or set the frequency to 3.6 manually, i would, unless you want to overclock, but i'd leave OC'in until this problem is sorted.


Liam

[robcaro]

Your temps do sound a bit high. Mine always run about:

MB 41° C (106° F)
CPU 43° C (109° F)
Samsung HD 39° C (102° F)

By the way, is your computer overclocked? That could cause heat and shutdown.

[Skrappy213]

Alright i checked the BIOS and this is what i get

Manufacturer:Intel
Brand String:Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 3.60GHz
Frequency:3.60GHz
FSb Speed:801Mhz

And no im not overclocking dont even know exactly what that is, heard of it but no clue what is its purpose.

While i was running my antivirus program i was looking at the CPU USAGE
and it kept going up and down it got to 100% then came down to 1% then up to like 30% and so on.

Maybe it's just what lgbpop suggested who knows.