OT: My computer is randomly freezing

Xrati · #1 May 25th, 2008, 12:06 PM

My guess is that the processor is over heating (it doesn't have to be by much to cause a shutdown). As the time is different between shutdowns and the heat is a relative function of how hard the load on the processor. If your N is � hr. to six, is the � hr. after it was already running and shutdown? Is the 6 hr. N when it was running from a cold boot?

Take the cooling fan off and clean the surface of the processor and bottom contact surface of the fan Make sure you clean the fan too!

Makinus · #2 May 26th, 2008, 10:24 AM

I had the exactly same problem that you had and found 2 main (and completely unrelated) causes for it: 1. One of my RAM has gone bad, just replaced it but the problem continued, while in a less severe way (a freeze every eight hours or so)... 2. I discovered, while navigating the internet, that my dual processor had some incompatibilities with old programs (mostly old games) that causes errors in the processor that would increasingly clutter the cpu without anything appearing in the xp monitoring... i found a 3rd party "patch" that resolved the problem and after aplying it never had any problems again...

After some digging it appears that nearly all dual processor CPUs have some problems (some more other less serious) with programs made before they are created, mainly games...

narf poit chez BOOM · #3 May 27th, 2008, 12:06 AM

Thanks for the suggestions.

Daynarr · #4 May 27th, 2008, 06:25 AM

Narf, there are at least 2 processors in your PC that can cause this - GPU and CPU. You need to make sure that both of them are not overheating (sounds like the case). GPU tends to do the kind of thing you described so you need to check your graphic card if it overheats.

Also, don't forget to check for viruses. You can get Avast or AVG free versions to check your system properly (google for links).

narf poit chez BOOM · #5 May 27th, 2008, 07:55 AM

I've got Avast.

The graphics card I have apparently puts out a lot of heat - It's very large, has a large fan, and four heat ducts. On the other hand, just sitting there shouldn't cause it to glitch.

I'll test the tempuratures of stuff by touch tomorrow.

narf poit chez BOOM · #6 May 30th, 2008, 01:05 PM

Well, it hasn't glitched since it came back from the shop and I left it on all night twice.

Which means they fixed it, which suprises me - They seemed a bit vague on what they had done.

So, sorry for the fuss and thanks everyone.

Mudshark · #7 May 30th, 2008, 04:18 PM

And they should tell you what they had done? big trade secrete there! LOL. The bad thing is I'm sure it was simple. time for a Homer Simpson wit a big "doh"! It helps that they have the software, and a bit of knowledge to figure out. I hate to use them. Things do get corrupted. i have a few programs that can do basic diagnosis, but I'm sure they have so much more....