Computer works in safe mode but dies in regular mode

[coachnate10]

I have an Acer Aspire 360 with 1gb ram and an Athlon 64 x2 4200 processor.

When I turn the computer on everything boots up just fine. The problem starts when I click on my user icon and my personal settings load up. After 30 seconds and everything is ready to go, the computer just freezes. Nothing responds.

Same thing will happen when when any other user logs on as well.

It's a timing thing too. If I boot up but don't click on an user icon, after enough time (30 seconds to a minute) everything freezes on that screen as well.

I sent the computer to Acer about a year ago and they fixed the issue without losing any data. On the receipt they sent back it said "reseated cpu. working properly."

I had just finished downloading an application on UTorrent when the computer crashed...

Everything works just fine in Safe Mode though. It boots up and I can access the internet.

How do I reseat the CPU?

What are my options?

Thank you.

 

[MrNick0483]

sounds like you may have a damaged driver file, or a damaged system file.

 

[coachnate10]

So what should I do?

 

[G0AOZ]

reseated cpu"... I'd say it's more likely that it's a heating issue. Sounds like the cpu is overheating which would cause the operating system to freeze. Assuming that the cpu fan is turning properly and is not bunged up with dust and dirt, reseating the heatsink/fan assembly on top of the cpu may be the answer.

Remove the heatsink assembly from the cpu, and carefully clean the mating surfaces. Apply a fresh thin smear of heatsink compound (Artic Silver or similar), then secure the heatsink back on the cpu.

Your BIOS may report CPU temperature...

ROGER - G0AOZ.

 

[wahnula]

First I would create a new User Profile in Safe Mode, logged in as Administrator (default password is blank), go to Control Panel==>User Accounts==>Create a New User. Log out, log back in in Normal mode, then log in with the user you just created. Any difference?

Then I would check the temperature with a free app like SpeedFan or CPU-Z. This will display the temperature, usually in degrees C. You don't need to learn the metric system, just keep in mind that 50C=getting hot.

Another way to get this info is boot into BIOS and look for "System Monitor" or "Hardware Monitor" after a freeze-up, that should give you an indication as to whether heat is to blame.

Usually when a CPU overheats it shuts down the PC, but it's possible that's the case here. Here's a video showing the process of Heatsink/Fan, or HSF, removal. I disagree with the way he removed the CPU from the socket and held it in his hands while cleaning the thermal paste from it. You could really damage the pins or get ESD damage...I leave it in the socket and gently clean off the thermal grease with a q-tip and rubbing alcohol. Apply a grain-of-rice-size dollop of new thermal paste (Arctic Silver 5 is the best) and spread it thinly and evenly across the surface (I use my finger inside a baggie), then re-attach the HSF.

Best of luck to you!

Tony

Users helping Users...

 

[coachnate10]

OK...just downloaded SpeedFan.

It says:

Temp1: -117c
Temp2: 48c
Temp3: -7c
Local: 52c (w/a flame icon next to it)
Remote: 62c (w/a flame icon next to it)
HD0: 56c (w/a flame icon next to it)
Core: 61c (w/a flame icon next to it)

 

[SimonDavies]

TBH I doubt it's a heat issue if it works correctly in safe mode, if the cpu was over heating it wouldn't care about safe mode, it would still over heat.

Have you tried loading up with last known good? Gone thru Safe mode and uninstalled the last software installed, looked at the registry to ensure that you don't have anything nasty sitting in the Run or RunOnce hives?

Normally if something like this is happening in normal but not safe I would say it's more likely virus related, looking at the registry and msconfig may throw up some things as well as running things like Spybot and Adaware.

SimonD.

The real world is not about exam scores, it's about ability.

 

[wahnula]

While those temps are a bit toasty, nothing that should lock the system. If you haven't already, I would try the new profile, as user profiles sometimes get corrupted.

No offense SimonDavies, but I have NEVER had "Last Known Good Configuration" work

I agree that if it works correctly in safe mode then it's not a heat issue. Possibility of a virus/spyware is very real, which is why I recommended a new, clean User to see if there's any difference.

Free spyware apps mostly available through

http://www.download.com,

or a Google search:

Adaware 2007
Spybot S&D
A-Squared Free
Windows Defender
AVG A/S

Disable System Restore before running these: (Start==>Programs==>Accessoerie==>System Tools==>System Restore).

Trens Micro's HouseCall is a free online scanner that's very good also.

Tony

Users helping Users...

 

[SimonDavies]

I have had Last Known Good work for me on a couple of occasions, it's only really good tho if the pc doesn't get to the desktop before crashing (it's after this time that the last known good config get's over written).

SimonD.

The real world is not about exam scores, it's about ability.

 

[wahnula]

SimonDavies, yes I had Last Known Good work ONCE on an NT4.0 server in 1999, but it seems that lately it's just a source of false hope . Can't hurt to give it a try though.
It's a personal thing I have with it...

Tony

Users helping Users...

 

[coachnate10]

I have tried System Restore a couple of times.

I have tried multiple malware/virus programs and nothing worked.

I have disabled everything on startup from msconfig.

I have used a couple programs to clean and fix the registry.

I have reseated the battery to reset the BIOS and that didn't work (it has worked for another problem before though).

I have tried last known good configuration.

I have uninstalled my P2P software and the program I was downloading when the computer decided to suck.

Nothing has worked so far.

The only thing that worked the last time this happened was when Acer "reseated the cpu." That's what it said in their notes...

 

[coachnate10]

I have also tried using a different user profile, and that didn't work as well...

 

[LawnBoy]

I would suggest that you boot up to a different operating system. It doesn't appear as though you have a hardware problem, and this would prove it.

Many linux distributions come in a "live" version, meaning that they run off of a cd and don't affect your hard drive at all. Ubuntu and Fedora Core are two popular linux flavors that have live versions.

If a live cd runs ok and doesn't lock up your pc, then you have a problem with windows. Judging by the time you have already spent trying to troubleshoot the issue, I would just reload windows and be done with it. It is frequently faster/easier to reload. Some of the purists in this forum will argue that point, but do you care what's wrong or do you just want it to work?


--
The stagehand's axiom: "Never lift what you can drag, never drag what you can roll, never roll what you can leave.

 

[BadBigBen]

I tend to agree with Lawnboy here that a fresh install would probably be the fastest and cleanest thing to do...

but...

everytime I hit a freezing PC, it usually was either RAM related or HDD related...

HDD related can be neglected here, since it works in clean mode... but it would not hurt to check it anyway...

but RAM should be checked using MemTEST 86+ (e.g.) before you reload Windows...



Ben

"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."

 

[coachnate10]

I downloaded MemTEST 86+...

How do I use it? How do I go about running the test? What is the command I must type?


Should I just buy another CPU? What does everybody think my best options would be? I don't care so much about what the problem is, unless I discover it and fix it and return to the normal state. I just want it fixed.

Should I reformat?

How do you reload Windows?

 

[wahnula]

coachnate10

You boot to the memtest program and it does its thing. It does take quite a while so if you run it, let it sit for a few hours.

Considering the brand (Acer, part of the eMachines group) and the previous issues I would first try a clean install of Windows XP (back up all your data first...like emails, pictures etc, as this will wipe the drive). If you've never done it before there's no time like the present to learn. You will need your Acer driver disk or get the hardware drivers from the Web first. You then re-install all your applications.

Another thought would be to buy or build a new PC...you can get a lot for $500 these days and if you build it, you will be better at fixing it. Or go to a system builder like

http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/

for a good, pre-configured rig with lifetime USA-based support.

Tony

Users helping Users...

 

[BadBigBen]

I do not think that the CPU is damaged, as it works without problems in safemode...

Tutorial: How to use Memtest

http://www.techspot.com/vb/topic62524.html

Clean Install Windows XP

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

Ben

"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."

 

[coachnate10]

Screw it. I just bought a new computer. This one has given me more than a couple problems, so I am moving on.

I will, however, keep this unit and work on it as a project some day soon.

Thanks for your help everybody.

 

[wahnula]

Screw it. I just bought a new computer

Sometimes that's the best solution of all. Hope you got one with good local support. Plus you now have a "learning box" to become more technically proficient if that's your goal. We'll be here...

Tony

Users helping Users...