I have an HP Pavilion 8765c (900 mHz AMD Athlon, 256 SDRAM, Sound Blaster PCI 512, Verto GeForce 2 Ti, 12x DVD ROM, 4x CD-RW, Windows ME). This thing freezes constantly (complete lock-up, can't CTRL+ALT+DEL, must turn completely off). It freezes when I play games, listen to music, rip CDs, and occasionally when I'm just browsing or chatting. It originally came with a different sound card, different video card, and 128 RAM. I changed the sound card, video card, and upgraded the RAM hoping thise would resolve the issues, it didn't help at all. I haven't even the slightest clue as to whats wrong with my computer. No known hardware conflicts, all my software is compatable with my system. Please help me.

Thanks in advance,
Dan.

Ouch, I have had my fair share of dealing with HP Pavilion copmuters... and I regret almost every minute of it. I have found that all the software/spyware installed on these PCs tend to cause trouble and slow them down tremendously. On top of that, if you ever fdisk your HD (or maybe even just format it) that nifty little restor CD does not work well...

Just a few questions to help narrow down the cause a little:
1. Are you running the original pre-install of Windows?
2. Did you go ahead and completely disable all the onboard sound and video before installing the new hardware?
3. Did you uninstall all the drivers for the old hardware before installing the new hardware?
4. Have you checked for viruses or halfway uninstalled applications?
5. Is your PC running as cool as it should be with all the new hardware in there? (the geforce may generate a little too much heat for the cramped interior of an HP pavilion, if it resembles the HP 6730)

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Number of fans killed: 6 (4 CPU fans, 1 Vid card fan, and 1 chipset fan)

1) Yes
2) Yes
3) Yes
4) Yes, many, many times.
5) Not sure how cool my PC should be running at so... <shrugs> dunno.

Hello adannychi,

And a formal Welcome to http://www.pcguide.com/ubb/pcgubb.gif Forums!

Hmmmm.....one suggestion would be to shut down programs running in the background before playing games. Keep only Explorer and Systray...shut down all the rest. See if that helps.

Same thing before you RIP any CDs etc.

Was it every working correctly? What software might you have added since the time things were hunky dory?

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May all your dealings in life be win/win!


Whyzman
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Reserved for Punishing Humor...A Pessimist's blood is always B-negative!



[This message has been edited by Whyzman (edited 06-23-2002).]

Remove the computer's case cover and run an external fan blowing on its interior. If the freezing stops, then your system has an overheating problem. Consider installing additional and/or higher speed fans.

I usually close all background programs before doing anything, just leaving those two open (Explorer and Systray). I've had this computer for almost two years and I think that for a brief two month period after buying it was working okay. I'm going to try open the case and fanning it to see if that helps though, thank you very much.

Well, unfortuneatly it's not an overheating problem. I open the case and ran a fan next to it blowing into it and it still froze just as much. I'm completely lost.

Another possiblity is the power supply.....the ones in the Pavilions are not the best on the market, and for the most part they are underpowered for anything except the basic equipment installed (what came with the machine originally). Also most of the time you can't just pop in a larger one because of size limitations of the case........

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mjc
Computer Links (http://www.dreamwater.org/tech/mjc/index.htm)

Celts are the men that heaven made mad, For all their battles are merry and their songs are all sad.

Thats what i was thinking also..have a HP here now with the same problem..PSU failure,it had a tiny baby ATX that was like 150 watts. most problems with these is keeping them clean. They have tiny holes for air to enter and ive seen a dozen that was completly obstructed with dust and lint..i expect they vacumed alot while having it on also.

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**How TO End Task A FREZZE**
ALT-CTRL-POWER BUTTON

Hmmm... how can I fix that then?

Actually, the easiest fix I have seen for a Pavilion is a new case...not only do you get a bigger PSU, you have more room and better air flow...

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mjc
Computer Links (http://www.dreamwater.org/tech/mjc/index.htm)

Celts are the men that heaven made mad, For all their battles are merry and their songs are all sad.

If ya go shopping for a case check out Tigerdirect.com, they have some nice looking cases with 350watt PSU's for about $30 white) or $40 (black)..even a all aluminum deal with a 400 watt PSU for $130.

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**How TO End Task A FREZZE**
ALT-CTRL-POWER BUTTON

Hmmm, I guess I'll do that then. I'm not exactly a master with computers, so, how hard is it to replace a case, and also, does the case come with it's own power supply or will I have to buy another one, and if that is the situation, what do you recommend I purchase? Ack... scrambled sentence. Sorry.

It's not that big of a deal to change cases..just pay attention to how and where your cables are connected and such and grab your motherboard manual to guide you with the connections, like the front panel LED's and power or reset switches and so on..just dont do it on carpet and take measures to assure not to fry anything because of static..i use a huge table in a room with no carpet and make a habit of touching both hands on the metal of the case before handling any add on cards and such..cut you a big section of a cardboard box to lay stuff like video cards, modem, or memory on while installing the motherboard. Im sure some cases do come without a PSU, but most include them..if you buy local ask on the phone before taking the drive there..the ones i mentioned above include PSU's and there already installed..ready to be put together.the price doesnt include shipping though.

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**How TO End Task A FREZZE**
ALT-CTRL-POWER BUTTON

You can get them either with or without...the powersupplies that come with cases are usually low end units, but should be adequate for you needs. Uusually when switching to a new case it is a matter of removing everything and moving it over.I would start with the drives and take out one move it oveer and continue until all are transfered, the remove the cards, then the motherboard, transfer it over making the needed connections etc. You should use static protection procedures...like a grounding strap. Post back with any specific questions.

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mjc
Computer Links (http://www.dreamwater.org/tech/mjc/index.htm)

Celts are the men that heaven made mad, For all their battles are merry and their songs are all sad.

Well, I think I could do it, but my parents don't. Are there places that I could have this done? If so, what would the average cost of something like this be?

Then id just grab the local yellow pages and start making some calls local. It depends on what case and power supply you get..myself with that setup id go for at least 350 watt power suppply (300 minimum)..and a mid tower. What they will price to change everything over i have no ideal..like i said just call most of the local shops and get price and compare. Ask if they have the parts in stock and such. And i dont wanna throw rotten eggs before they are actually rotten, but know whats in your computer before it leaves and do a parts check when you get it back. Not meaning computer shops are bad ..just some people are, and ive seen it here to many times. P3's swapped with Celerons and even a whole motherboard switch.

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**How TO End Task A FREZZE**
ALT-CTRL-POWER BUTTON

[This message has been edited by randyrhoads1981 (edited 06-24-2002).]

I got my case today and I'm going to switch it tonight, any specific tips on how I should do this? Like what I should move over first, or if I should label things or draw diagrams of the original setup?

Well like i mentioned before pay attention to how the ribben cables are connected..meaning where the hardrive cable was plugged in and the cdrom ribben cable was plugged in and so on..also where the front panel LED lights and reset switch wires if that applys..think ive worked on to many old systems..lol..but draw a diagram if you have too,,really the rest is just swapping things over,,,be careful when you handle the ribben cables to not trash them..once all the electrical is done, just install any cards such as modem..video etc. once everything looks like a go just fire her up and see what ya have. And as mentioned also dont do this on carpet..and try to avoid handling any of the contacts of the cards. I actually go as far as doing it without shoes on.

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**How TO End Task A FREZZE**
ALT-CTRL-POWER BUTTON http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

[This message has been edited by randyrhoads1981 (edited 06-26-2002).]

[This message has been edited by randyrhoads1981 (edited 06-26-2002).]

Well I've had the new case and new PSU for a couple weeks now and unfortuneatly it hasn't resolved anything. The PC still freezes. I was talking to my uncle and he was saying that HP used it's own modified version of Windows ME and that is what is most likely causing my problems. So hopefully if I go to XP it'll resolve this. Thank you to everyone who has tried to help me.

May be alittle too late...but, here it goes...EVEN THOUGH YOU MAY NOT HAVE ANY ERROR READINGS ON YOUR DISPLAY, THIS MAY BE WORTH A SHOT.


Check your all files in your system and make sure you do not have any that has been damaged or misplaced.

Start>Programs>Accessories>System Tools>System Info>

On top of the bar click on Tools> System File Checker

Let it go through the process and check all your files. Be ready to insert your OS software if it ask for one...

Good Luck..nothing to lose but everything to gain..like a peace of mind!

I'll defineatly give that a shot, thanks.

I didn't see an option called System File Checker

I have an HP 8754c PIII 800Mhz. It came with WinME and I had the same problems as you did, locking galore. The only add-on to the system was a videocard.

Anyway, I installed the WinXP Home Edition upgrade about 8 months ago and I think my PC has only locked-up once since then. If you are going to upgrade to WinXP, make sure to check if your system is WinXP-ready (i.e. all your devices are WinXP-compatible or have WinXP drivers).

Good luck,
Alan.

Yeah, we tried uprdaing to XP on this computer once before and we had alot of incompatible software and drivers, so my uncle said he'd do it for me. Thank you.