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| Author |
Message |
Hoerschy
Guest
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 Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2003 10:45 pm Post subject: Help - Computer Locking Up |
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I have a Gateway Performance 800 running Windows XP Professional. It has
run flawlessly up until about 2 weeks ago. I can be doing simple things
like playing solitaire when, all of a sudden, it will lock up. This lockup
will start after running the computer 30 - 60 minutes. The lock up
condition lasts for a couple of minutes and then the computer unlocks and is
usable for a couple of minutes before it locks up again. This continues
until I shut the computer down and then re-boot. I have not installed any
software recently. In order to correct this, I have done the following.
1. Checked for viruses using Norton Antivirus with up to date definitions.
2. Check for spyware with Ad-Aware and Spybot Search & Destroy.
3. Performed a System Restore, going back a month.
4. Installed up-dated drivers for video, sound, network card and mouse.
5. Flashed the BIOS with the latest BIOS up-date.
6. Performed a Repair Installation of Windows XP Professional.
7. Removed each memory chip and re-ran computer to see if any were bad.
8. Reseated all expansion cards.
Even after doing all of this, the computer is still locking up. I really
don't want to replace this computer yet since it meets my needs. I have
done everything that Gateway has suggested to correct the problem but it has
not helped. I have seen a lot of good advice come out of this newsgroup and
I thought that someone here can help me out. |
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T.R.
Guest
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| Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2003 11:21 pm Post subject: Re: Help - Computer Locking Up |
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On Sat, 15 Nov 2003 10:45:36 -0600, "Hoerschy" <hoerschy@charter.net>
wrote:
| Quote: | 1. Checked for viruses using Norton Antivirus with up to date definitions.
2. Check for spyware with Ad-Aware and Spybot Search & Destroy.
3. Performed a System Restore, going back a month.
4. Installed up-dated drivers for video, sound, network card and mouse.
5. Flashed the BIOS with the latest BIOS up-date.
6. Performed a Repair Installation of Windows XP Professional.
7. Removed each memory chip and re-ran computer to see if any were bad.
8. Reseated all expansion cards.
|
You sure did a fine job of trying to run this down. Check and see if
your cooling fan is running or if the air flow grid's are blocked with
crud or if the fan blades are so build up with crud that they are no
longer pulling/pushing air flow. I also know of an instance where
this person cleaned their fan grids, fan blades etc, but still had the
system acting up. Turned out it was the power supply having crud
bridging a couple of components and shorting them out intermittently.
So also check and see if the circuit board to your power supply is
cleaned off also when you are checking the fan and grids.
Also, memory problem can be intermittent. Running a quick scan of
memory doesn't always show a memory module problem. There are some
memtest utilities out there that really task the memory modules,
trying to force them into failing. http://www.memtest86.com has a
good one. You let them run a long time or over night so they will
push memory to the limit. I have heard of people having lockup
problems but quick mem tests always show the memory to be good but
when running one of these more intrusive mem tests, they find that
they actually do have a bad memory module.
Bad Graphics Cards can also cause intermittent lockups but I don't
know of any utilities that really push a graphics card to the breaking
point to see. I'm sure they are out there though.
I know this could end up being caused by a million different little
bugs but the above are a few things I would add to your already
extensive check list.
Regards,
Thomas
If the personal freedoms guaranteed
by the Constitution inhibit the
government's ability to govern the
people, we should look to limit those
guarantees.
Bill Clinton |
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Hoerschy
Guest
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| Posted: Sun Nov 16, 2003 11:54 pm Post subject: Re: Help - Computer Locking Up |
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I ran the Memtest86 for 12 hours and it did not find anything wrong. I
removed the power supply from the computer, opened it up and blew it out
with a can of compressed air. The problem still remains. Right now, I am
running the computer opened, with a large fan blowing air into it. I want
to see if this solves the problem. I do have another computer available
that I could pull the video card and see if that corrects the problem. I do
feel that this is a hardware problem and not software.
"T.R." <@> wrote in message
news:57ncrv0fihl4lkt76do2lll5lm7fgtsg39@4ax.com...
| Quote: | On Sat, 15 Nov 2003 10:45:36 -0600, "Hoerschy" <hoerschy@charter.net
wrote:
1. Checked for viruses using Norton Antivirus with up to date
definitions.
2. Check for spyware with Ad-Aware and Spybot Search & Destroy.
3. Performed a System Restore, going back a month.
4. Installed up-dated drivers for video, sound, network card and mouse.
5. Flashed the BIOS with the latest BIOS up-date.
6. Performed a Repair Installation of Windows XP Professional.
7. Removed each memory chip and re-ran computer to see if any were bad.
8. Reseated all expansion cards.
You sure did a fine job of trying to run this down. Check and see if
your cooling fan is running or if the air flow grid's are blocked with
crud or if the fan blades are so build up with crud that they are no
longer pulling/pushing air flow. I also know of an instance where
this person cleaned their fan grids, fan blades etc, but still had the
system acting up. Turned out it was the power supply having crud
bridging a couple of components and shorting them out intermittently.
So also check and see if the circuit board to your power supply is
cleaned off also when you are checking the fan and grids.
Also, memory problem can be intermittent. Running a quick scan of
memory doesn't always show a memory module problem. There are some
memtest utilities out there that really task the memory modules,
trying to force them into failing. http://www.memtest86.com has a
good one. You let them run a long time or over night so they will
push memory to the limit. I have heard of people having lockup
problems but quick mem tests always show the memory to be good but
when running one of these more intrusive mem tests, they find that
they actually do have a bad memory module.
Bad Graphics Cards can also cause intermittent lockups but I don't
know of any utilities that really push a graphics card to the breaking
point to see. I'm sure they are out there though.
I know this could end up being caused by a million different little
bugs but the above are a few things I would add to your already
extensive check list.
Regards,
Thomas
If the personal freedoms guaranteed
by the Constitution inhibit the
government's ability to govern the
people, we should look to limit those
guarantees.
Bill Clinton |
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Fishface
Guest
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| Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2003 1:34 am Post subject: Re: Help - Computer Locking Up |
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Hoerschy wrote:
| Quote: | I have a Gateway Performance 800 running Windows XP Professional.
It has run flawlessly up until about 2 weeks ago. I can be doing simple
thing like playing solitaire when, all of a sudden, it will lock up. This
lockup will start after running the computer 30 - 60 minutes. The lock
up condition lasts for a couple of minutes and then the computer unlocks
and is usable for a couple of minutes before it locks up again. This
continues until I shut the computer down and then re-boot.
|
When you say "lock-up," does the mouse pointer freeze, or is it just very
unresponsive? Is an event written to the event log? Does CTRL + ALT +
del do anything? I must admit that when a computer mouse pointer freezes,
I have never waited that long. I have seen cables gone bad from flexing,
and damaged solder joints on the motherboard where cables connect. I
even had a bad mouse driver from an Intellimouse that would freeze while
scrolling IE several years ago. The fact that it only happens after 30 to 60
minutes makes me think it may be heat/expansion related. Case open,
press here, there, try to make it happen (or make it stop). Wiggle cables,
try a different mouse, maybe pull the CPU and re-socket and reinstall the
heatsink. I don't know what else to say. |
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Hoerschy
Guest
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| Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2003 4:01 am Post subject: Re: Help - Computer Locking Up |
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When I say that the computer locks up, I mean that the mouse, keyboard and
every thing locks up. Nothing will respond for a minute or two.
CTRL+ALT+DEL does nothing until the computer unlocks itself. It is not the
mouse as I have used 3 different ones, standard, USB and cordless optical.
I agree that it appears to be heat related. Right now, I have a large fan
blowing on the open case and the computer has been working for over 4 hours
without locking up. I have tried to reseat everything. I do have a
question about the heatsink. It appears to be somewhat loose. How is the
CPU and heatsink removed?
"Fishface" <invalid@ddress.ok?> wrote in message
news:vrfk9ucrf45q62@corp.supernews.com...
| Quote: | Hoerschy wrote:
I have a Gateway Performance 800 running Windows XP Professional.
It has run flawlessly up until about 2 weeks ago. I can be doing simple
thing like playing solitaire when, all of a sudden, it will lock up.
This
lockup will start after running the computer 30 - 60 minutes. The lock
up condition lasts for a couple of minutes and then the computer unlocks
and is usable for a couple of minutes before it locks up again. This
continues until I shut the computer down and then re-boot.
When you say "lock-up," does the mouse pointer freeze, or is it just very
unresponsive? Is an event written to the event log? Does CTRL + ALT +
del do anything? I must admit that when a computer mouse pointer freezes,
I have never waited that long. I have seen cables gone bad from flexing,
and damaged solder joints on the motherboard where cables connect. I
even had a bad mouse driver from an Intellimouse that would freeze while
scrolling IE several years ago. The fact that it only happens after 30 to
60
minutes makes me think it may be heat/expansion related. Case open,
press here, there, try to make it happen (or make it stop). Wiggle
cables,
try a different mouse, maybe pull the CPU and re-socket and reinstall the
heatsink. I don't know what else to say.
|
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Fix your Windows Problems - FAST.
FREE Safe Scan Registry Check. Locate & Fix Errors in Minutes!
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|
Fishface
Guest
|
| Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2003 11:21 am Post subject: Re: Help - Computer Locking Up |
|
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Hoerschy wrote:
| Quote: | I agree that it appears to be heat related. Right now, I have
a large fan blowing on the open case and the computer has
been working for over 4 hours without locking up. I have
tried to reseat everything. I do have a question about the
heatsink. It appears to be somewhat loose. How is the
CPU and heatsink removed?
|
It varies by CPU type, but generally for a socket 370 there
is a metal spring clip which catches on a protrusion or
protrusions on the edge of the socket. Some have a place
to hook a screwdriver, unfortunately, others do not. I have
had to use needle nose pliers or a surgical hemostat on those.
It may be difficult to reach. If you do this, you need to be
very careful not to damage the motherboard. Put tape under
the clips in case something slips or the clip scrapes the board.
You may find a thermal pad or heat sink compound as a
thermal interface between the CPU and the heatsink. Generally,
the thermal pad is not as effective, but is easier to apply. I
always replace the thermal pads with the thermal compound.
Some types of thermal compound can dry-out and become
ineffective with time. You can pick-up some heat sink
compound for a few bucks at a computer store. It is normal
for a heatsink to be able to pivot a few degrees on the CPU
surface, although this would be less likely with the thermal
pads I have seen. There are so many soldered connections
on a motherboard that if one is intermittently bad, it could be
difficult to track-down. This stuff is good, if not overpriced,
for reinstallation:
http://www.arcticsilver.com/arctic_silver_instructions.htm
It may be a long shot, but you're running out of options at
this point. Good luck, and watch out for ESD! |
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Jack
Guest
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| Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2003 6:19 am Post subject: Re: Help - Computer Locking Up |
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Any chance it could be "System Restore"? You might try turning it off.
Jack
"Hoerschy" <hoerschy@charter.net> wrote in message
news:vrcm1h2egjghef@corp.supernews.com...
| Quote: | I have a Gateway Performance 800 running Windows XP Professional. It has
run flawlessly up until about 2 weeks ago. I can be doing simple things
like playing solitaire when, all of a sudden, it will lock up. This
lockup
will start after running the computer 30 - 60 minutes. The lock up
condition lasts for a couple of minutes and then the computer unlocks and
is
usable for a couple of minutes before it locks up again. This continues
until I shut the computer down and then re-boot. I have not installed any
software recently. In order to correct this, I have done the following.
1. Checked for viruses using Norton Antivirus with up to date
definitions.
2. Check for spyware with Ad-Aware and Spybot Search & Destroy.
3. Performed a System Restore, going back a month.
4. Installed up-dated drivers for video, sound, network card and mouse.
5. Flashed the BIOS with the latest BIOS up-date.
6. Performed a Repair Installation of Windows XP Professional.
7. Removed each memory chip and re-ran computer to see if any were bad.
8. Reseated all expansion cards.
Even after doing all of this, the computer is still locking up. I really
don't want to replace this computer yet since it meets my needs. I have
done everything that Gateway has suggested to correct the problem but it
has
not helped. I have seen a lot of good advice come out of this newsgroup
and
I thought that someone here can help me out.
|
|
|
| Back to top |
|
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Hoerschy
Guest
|
| Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2003 7:52 am Post subject: Re: Help - Computer Locking Up |
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No, the problem appears to be heat related. I used a large fan to blow air
into the open computer and it did not lock up. I installed an additional
fan and the computer will run for several hours now before it locks up. I
have already ordered a new computer and when that one arrives, this will be
a backup computer for my wife to use.
"Jack" <donk502@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:bpma2q$1qhq02$1@ID-211795.news.uni-berlin.de...
| Quote: | Any chance it could be "System Restore"? You might try turning it off.
Jack
"Hoerschy" <hoerschy@charter.net> wrote in message
news:vrcm1h2egjghef@corp.supernews.com...
I have a Gateway Performance 800 running Windows XP Professional. It
has
run flawlessly up until about 2 weeks ago. I can be doing simple things
like playing solitaire when, all of a sudden, it will lock up. This
lockup
will start after running the computer 30 - 60 minutes. The lock up
condition lasts for a couple of minutes and then the computer unlocks
and
is
usable for a couple of minutes before it locks up again. This continues
until I shut the computer down and then re-boot. I have not installed
any
software recently. In order to correct this, I have done the following.
1. Checked for viruses using Norton Antivirus with up to date
definitions.
2. Check for spyware with Ad-Aware and Spybot Search & Destroy.
3. Performed a System Restore, going back a month.
4. Installed up-dated drivers for video, sound, network card and mouse.
5. Flashed the BIOS with the latest BIOS up-date.
6. Performed a Repair Installation of Windows XP Professional.
7. Removed each memory chip and re-ran computer to see if any were bad.
8. Reseated all expansion cards.
Even after doing all of this, the computer is still locking up. I
really
don't want to replace this computer yet since it meets my needs. I have
done everything that Gateway has suggested to correct the problem but it
has
not helped. I have seen a lot of good advice come out of this newsgroup
and
I thought that someone here can help me out.
|
|
|
| Back to top |
|
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Levance
Guest
|
| Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2003 4:36 am Post subject: Re: Help - Computer Locking Up |
|
|
Have you tried applying the heat conductive compound that sits between the
processor and the heat sink?
"Hoerschy" <hoerschy@charter.net> wrote in message
news:vrtg9sqs0d5m8e@corp.supernews.com...
| Quote: | No, the problem appears to be heat related. I used a large fan to blow
air
into the open computer and it did not lock up. I installed an additional
fan and the computer will run for several hours now before it locks up. I
have already ordered a new computer and when that one arrives, this will
be
a backup computer for my wife to use.
"Jack" <donk502@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:bpma2q$1qhq02$1@ID-211795.news.uni-berlin.de...
Any chance it could be "System Restore"? You might try turning it off.
Jack
"Hoerschy" <hoerschy@charter.net> wrote in message
news:vrcm1h2egjghef@corp.supernews.com...
I have a Gateway Performance 800 running Windows XP Professional. It
has
run flawlessly up until about 2 weeks ago. I can be doing simple
things
like playing solitaire when, all of a sudden, it will lock up. This
lockup
will start after running the computer 30 - 60 minutes. The lock up
condition lasts for a couple of minutes and then the computer unlocks
and
is
usable for a couple of minutes before it locks up again. This
continues
until I shut the computer down and then re-boot. I have not installed
any
software recently. In order to correct this, I have done the
following.
1. Checked for viruses using Norton Antivirus with up to date
definitions.
2. Check for spyware with Ad-Aware and Spybot Search & Destroy.
3. Performed a System Restore, going back a month.
4. Installed up-dated drivers for video, sound, network card and
mouse.
5. Flashed the BIOS with the latest BIOS up-date.
6. Performed a Repair Installation of Windows XP Professional.
7. Removed each memory chip and re-ran computer to see if any were
bad.
8. Reseated all expansion cards.
Even after doing all of this, the computer is still locking up. I
really
don't want to replace this computer yet since it meets my needs. I
have
done everything that Gateway has suggested to correct the problem but
it
has
not helped. I have seen a lot of good advice come out of this
newsgroup
and
I thought that someone here can help me out.
|
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