NEW computer freezes at random times.. 1

[Pawzzz]

Just got a brand new computer.. But as with everything I buy nothing goes smoothly. Yes, it is faulty.. Freezes dead at different times! Longest its lasted is around 50 minutes. I was pretty sure its was hardware problem as I have reloaded Windows XP, but then I lasted on safemode for around 2 hours, so the plot thickens.. I have called the company I bought it from, and I am left in a massive que, was on the phone last night for over an hour and didn't get seen to, its ridiculous!
I have updated all the drivers to the latest, and still get the problem, The temperature of the CPU stands at 34-35C which is normal. I really don't understand.
Does anyone have any ideas??

Thank You,
Jamie

 

[FredDibnah]

Hi Jamie,

Could you give some more details about the system? For instance hardware specs. manufacturer etc. Is the machine locking up while in particular packages or is locking up while doing nothing at all? Do you get a blue screen of death, or is it a frozen desktop?

If you feel it is a hardware problem then you need to find someone with a package like PCCheck or Microscope. These are able to check a wide range of hardware for faults without having to open the PC up which could possibly affect your warranty.

PCCheck is my testing solution of choice.

Regards,

 

[Pawzzz]

Thanks Gavin, I will definatley get PCCheck (if the machine stays up long enough)

More information:

RAM: 1GB (2x 512MB)
CPU: Intel Pentium 4 3.40GHz
Motherboard: ASUS P5DG1-VM
Graphics Card: Radeon X700 (all drivers are up to date)
Sound Card: Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS (all drivers up to date)
Manufacturer: MESH PLC (

http://www.meshcomputers.com)

I do not get a BSOD, the machine just complete freezes, for example when I am playing music, it just pops and cuts out, on one occasion, the music looped the 1 second I was upto on the song. The mouse freezes completely, and so does the keyboard, plus the screen freezes dead. I can not get it to unfreeze for love nor money, I have to restart the computer by holding in the power button for 10 seconds, then do a cold-boot.
Whether the computer is idle or operating, it still freezes, on one occasion I booted up and it just froze instantly. Other times it can last for 50 minutes. I don't understand..

And ideas??
Thank You,
Jamie

 

[FredDibnah]

Hi Jamie,

I don't think it would be worth you getting PCCheck yourself as prices start at £149 + P&P and tax and go upwards.

The company that make PCCheck is Eurosoft (

http://www.eurosoft-uk.com

you could always try contacting them to see if they can tell you of anyone near you that has their products.

If you can take the side off of the system without disturbing any warranty sticker then it would be worth checking out if any seems amiss. Look for fans not spinning or spinning slower than you would expect. Check that everything is seated properly in its slots and that all screws are done up. Safety first though make sure the power is isolated at the wall, if the PSU has a power switch turn it off but leave the power cable in allowing the system to remain grounded.

Hope this advice is of some help.

If all else fails if you bought the system on credit card and you can't get any response from Mesh; get the credit card company involved. Make them earn their percentage for a change.

 

[Pawzzz]

Thank you very much Gavin. Much appriciated.

Kind Regards,
Jamie

 

[linney]

I don't know if I would bother too much in trying to diagnose the fault. Your machine should be returned to the reseller under any Warranty and get them to fix or replace it.

To get further information about the error look in your Event viewer.

Look in the System or Application folder. You can get to the Event Viewer via right click My Computer icon and select Manage.

Any errors logged in the Event Viewer can be expanded by double clicking on the error line.

Take any event error I.D. number and search for it on these sites.

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/tr.../prodtechnol/winxppro/support/EE_winxppro.asp

http://www.eventid.net/events.asp

To check your RAM.

http://www.memtest86.com/

http://oca.microsoft.com/en/windiag.asp

To check your Hard Drive.

The drive manufacturer will have free diagnostic software to check your drive for problems.

You can also load the Recovery Console and run ChkDsk /r to check for problems.

HOW TO: Install and Use the Recovery Console for Windows XP (Q307654)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q307/6/54.asp

To check your drivers.

HOW TO: Verify Unsigned Device Drivers in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q308/5/14.asp

To check conflicting software.

310353 - How to Perform a Clean Boot in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;310353&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

316434 - HOW TO: Perform Advanced Clean-Boot Troubleshooting in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;316434&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

310560 - How to Troubleshoot By Using the Msconfig Utility in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;310560&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

Removing adware & spyware
faq608-4650

Will check your computer for spyware and adware.



To checkout unnecessary services you are running.

http://www.blkviper.com/WinXP/servicecfg.htm

See if you have any services that are flagging as "Starting" but not actually running.


Some general things to try.

See if System Restore will get you back to a restore point before your problem with Windows.

Try Safe Mode (Do you have this problem in Safe Mode?).

Try running ChkDsk to check your drive for errors. Right click your Drive icon/ Properties/ Tools/ Error Checking.

Run the System File Checker program from the Run Box by typing.....Sfc /Scannow in it and have your XP CD handy.

If they don't work you could try repairing windows itself by running it over itself. You will lose all your windows updates but your files will be untouched.

How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade (Reinstallation) of Windows XP (Q315341)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q315/3/41.asp