Why is this happening again?

[Katherine]

The computer that I use keeps freezing! It totally freezes, I can't move the mouse, and nothing moves, like the clock. Any ideas why this might be happening?

[DM was on fire!]

Aside from you're using Windows? XD
[/linuxfan]

It could possibly be taxing out your hardware and/or you might have some going bad.
Change the memory sticks and see if that helps.
And as strange as this sounds, it might also be the video card. My computer started freezing when the old ATI Radeon 7000 in my computer was going out...

Also, does it restart out of the blue as well, or is it strictly freezing?

[Katherine]

Yep, I'm a Windows person.

There's no viruses, I'm almost positive of that. I have a really good firewall and virus scanner. I haven't heard about the video card thing though. That might be it, this computer is quite old.


It's strictly freezing.

[Light]

And as strange as this sounds, it might also be the video card. My computer started freezing when the old ATI Radeon 7000 in my computer was going out...

It sounds like it. I had a Radeon, and soon after I put Vista on it; it's poor little heart couldn't take the graphics, and started to do the same thing to me. Freeze up.

[DM was on fire!]

Radeons sucks. D;
Nvidia is totally the way to go. Or atleast ProSavage.

That does sound like what's happening; either the video card or the memory.

[May]

Yep, I'm a Windows person.

...this computer is quite old.

There are your two problems...

[Katherine]

Yep, I'm a Windows person.

...this computer is quite old.

There are your two problems...

I like Windows.


And PARTS of this computer are old. My dad and his friend built it. I guess I should have said that.

[DM was on fire!]

Windows is all right, but you still need to run a lot of virus protection, firewalls, et cetera.
Stuff that's not neccesary with Linux. ;D
*gets off the Linux train*

Just out of curiosity, are you running XP or Vista, and have you recently upgraded?

[Katherine]

XP, haven't upgraded for quite a while.

And I do have quite a good firewall and virus stuff.

[DM was on fire!]

Hmm.
Not what I was thinking then (upgrade overtaxing the hardware).
So it could just be your memory or your video card's beginning to go out.

[Katherine]

I think it might be the memory, there's a LOT of stuff on this computer. I'll clean it out soon and get back to you all.

[shapu]

shapu's recommendations:
If you have not made any upgrades to the RAM recently, it is not that. Nor is it likely to be a hard drive problem.

First, check your CPU's temperature. First, install this program:

http://www.download.com/Core-Temp/3000- ... ?tag=mncol

which monitors your CPU's temperature. Run the machine, and keep that program visible. See if it ever gets into dangerous temperature territory, and if it does, if that happens right before shutdown.

If it does:
Open the case, get yourself a can of compressed air from a computer shop and gently blow dust from inside the machine - don't hold the can in any position but upright, and don't spray continuously. Make sure you keep one hand on the metal chassis of the case at all times.

Now, with the case still open, turn on the machine, and make sure the fan on the CPU is running. It could be that the fan has died (they tend to go every couple of years), and replacing it is a very simple matter than anyone with 7 or 8 working fingers can do.

Or, it could be that too much dust has collected for the machine to work efficiently, in which case simply blasting it away will extend the lifespan of your machine. This can be easily determined by closing the cover up again, letting the computer run, and watching the temperature gauge.

If the temperature readings are NOT a problem:
Chances are that the video card is beginning to go. Have your dad (who built it, after all), tell you what kind of video card is currently in the machine - whether it's PCI, AGP, or PCI-E format. Go to Best Buy and determine what video card matches your needs and is in the appropriate format, and bring some suggestions back to your father (or just ask him to do it - again, he's the Dr. Frankenstein who built it, it's his monster).

Replace the video card. If you're not doing heavy gaming, concern yourself with price, rather than with any specific need. Radeons are fine for non-gamers. But of course make sure the chipset is compatible with any games you DO play - the Sims 2 and The Movies, for example, will not necessarily work on certain midrange graphics cards for no reason other than incompatibility, although the cards themselves could conceivably handle the load.

[Alex]

Shapu, why didn't you link me to that program two months ago!?

Dust can definitely be a problem, though. My computer was overheating and shutting itself down 4-5 times a day - no joke. I couldn't do anything taxing on it as it wouldn't be able to cope.

Once I pulled it apart, used the compressed air, and pulled out all the dust (there was a HUGE chunk in the fan o_o), it was working perfectly. I would absolutely suggest checking this out first, as it can be an easy fix to what seems to be a major problem.

(Incidentally, I told Rachel this, and she's now decided I'm performing surgery on her laptop...)

[Rachel]

(Incidentally, I told Rachel this, and she's now decided I'm performing surgery on her laptop...)

You most certainly are!! I'm fine dismantling desktops but i've never taken apart a laptop before, so i'd like you around for moral support!

I think i'll give the program that measures the temperature a go on my machine, it's been getting SO hot lately.

[Shoyru_Lover]

Holy moly Shapu... you're a computer genuis!!

What I also do is install a free program called "CCleaner" which is essentially a program that "cleans" your computer for you. Run it, delete all the unnecessary junk, and then clean your registry a few times. Always seems to fix my puters.

http://www.ccleaner.com/