MY computer froze twice today

ProcessOfBelief

Once it froze while i was playing a video in a browser. I had to do a hard reset to start it up again, and it froze on the startup screen. So I just turned the power off and restarted it.

So i got it running again, but now i fear its gonna freeze again. The last time these things happened, it was because my power supply went out and took my video card with it. But that was because my power supply wasnt strong enough to take my video card. Thats actually been taken care of now.

So what's wrong?

Im Running:

Windows XP home edtion 2002
service pack 2

Pentium 4, 3.00 Ghz processor
512 MB of RAM

VC: Nvidia Gforce 7600 GS
AGP 8x

Transparent

So what's wrong?

Almost anything, and since you can't reproduce the lockups I imagine it will be difficult to diagnose. Go in the bios and look at your voltages if you suspect the power supply.

Hopefully someone can suggest a better method than randomly changing bios settings, updating drivers, changing peices of hardware, and crossing your fingers.

CmdPrompt

Those aren't symptoms to anything in particular so much as something everyone deals with.

Your best bet is to just do the usual process of cleaning a computer:

• Run spyware\malware scans
• Uninstall things you no longer need
• Defragment
• Update drivers, Windows, software
• Etc.

in order to prevent it from happening again.

Adding another stick of memory would likely improve things as well.

ProcessOfBelief

Oh, i Forgot to mention.

We recently bought a new LCD monitor. would that have anything to do with it?

Idoliside

I very much doubt the monitor will the problem.

If its a lockup whilst playing a video then i suspect either your RAM or video card.

Rook

These things just happen sometimes.

ProcessOfBelief

Idoliside wrote: »

I very much doubt the monitor will the problem.

If its a lockup whilst playing a video then i suspect either your RAM or video card.

once it was while playing a video. but when it happened again, I was typing something in a search bar. The other time, i was trying to open an application in my start menu.

for the moment, im just trying to avoid using my computer. The last time things like this were happening, the lockups got worse and worse until my video card just failed. I wont be able to take it into the shop until monday at the earliest.

I just hope i can save my video card.

Idoliside

Whats your computer specs?

edit: (im an idiot i found them lol)

Try looking at your PSU, make sure you have enough power, and listen to your computer when it crashes. I found once i was getting lockups from a harddrive cos it wasn't spinning up properly.
Also make your not over-heating.

bloodr

Don't forget to make sure everything is plugged in securely. Video cards, RAM and HD connectors all have a way of working themselves loose causing lockups.

FatmanGames

I'd guess 2 things:

Direct X doesn't like your program, try another one.

or

Your video driver is messed up, be sure you're running the most current.

grrarg

ProcessOfBelief wrote: »

Oh, i Forgot to mention.

We recently bought a new LCD monitor. would that have anything to do with it?

What resolution are you running now? Doublecheck that you have the latest driver for your video card and that it supports the new resolution.

ProcessOfBelief

grrarg wrote: »

ProcessOfBelief wrote: »

Oh, i Forgot to mention.

We recently bought a new LCD monitor. would that have anything to do with it?

What resolution are you running now? Doublecheck that you have the latest driver for your video card and that it supports the new resolution.

I keep it running at a brisk 1680x1050.

I did a virus scan, Defrag, updated the drivers and deleted a few non-essentials. I was gonna take it into the shop tommorrow, but for now ill just play it by ear.

ProcessOfBelief

Well, it still crashes at random intervals.

Guess ill have to take it into the shop come monday.