Computer freezes

ashwanth · #1 (**permalink**) 20-10-2006, 08:10 PM

Hello,
My computer would freeze randomly and at no specific times. It can freeze upto 10 times in a day. This is what I have done to get the problem fixed but nothing has worked.

1. Ran several virus scans, no viruses found.
2. Ran memtest, no errors found.
3. Ran hard drive diagnostics, hard drive perfectly fine.
4. CPU fan was making noises, so I bought a new fan but it still freezes.
5. I bought a new power supply Antec TP-430, which is supposed to be really good, but the computer still froze a few times.
6. Re-installed windows, still freezes.

What's next in the list? Please tell me if you've come across this and what can be done.

THanks!

jephree · #2 (**permalink**) 21-10-2006, 03:54 AM

Sounds like some hardware is bad.

Reduce the system to basics.

One stick of RAM. One hard drive. On-board graphics (if available).

Run with an open case and external fan.

Do you have another CPU to try?

ashwanth · #3 (**permalink**) 21-10-2006, 07:49 AM

Unfortunately, I don't another CPU to try. My case is open and I have an external fan, it still freezes. I've tried to use one stick of ram and it froze. I tried the other stick (alone) and it froze again after sometime. So I don't think it's the ram or temperature of the computer. I'm using an external graphics card. I've used just one hard drive, out of my two HDs, and it would still freeze. Do you think it's the graphics card? I thought so too but I have no reason to back that up.

jephree · #4 (**permalink**) 21-10-2006, 07:54 AM

Does the motherboard have an on-board VGA port?

If so I would try it.

Or boot into Safe Mode and see if the problem is the same.

ashwanth · #5 (**permalink**) 22-10-2006, 01:19 AM

No, my mobo doesn't have an onboard VGA card. I haven't tried running on safe mode. What if I run on safe mode for a day and there isn't any freezing...what would that mean?

jephree · #6 (**permalink**) 22-10-2006, 01:34 AM

Safe Mode loads only the absolutly necessary drivers to start windows.

If things are OK in Safe Mode we can reasonbly suspect a driver fault (software).

If things are still the same we can reasonably suspect some hardware failure.

The option of Safe Mode with Networking should allow you to go online in Safe Mode.

Sniper210010 · #7 (**permalink**) 27-10-2006, 05:33 PM

I can think of one more thing that may be able to help you....i had this problem with my old mobo....check the capacitors around the heatsink and fan( they look like little cylinder things standing upright) if they are leaking or have leaked any yellow liquid....(dont matter how many are leaking it could only be one)....if this has happend then its your mobo....it would cost you around £50+ to get them replaced....my advice< buy a new mobo coz yours will be screwed, it will be alot cheaper than having it repaired.