windows hang flashes black then returns to normal

[trider65]

I have a 1600+ athlon, bios update 2001, windows xp w/all updates, 256mb
ddr ram, 40gig western d. hard drive. All run smooth together, my problem started with the screen freezing up but could still move the mouse. Then after 10 sec. or so the screen flashes black, then returns to the screen that froze up and it works fine till it freezes up again. The main problem is that now sometimes when it freezes up it takes over 1 min. to get back to normal. Is this aproblem with my refresh rate, or maybe a driver conflict with my geforce 2. I downloaded the lates drivers for video card to no avail still have problem.

[Budfred]

Welcome to http://www.pcguide.com/ubb/pcgubb.gif

How are you cooling your system? It sounds like you may have an overheating problem. If you have had the computer for a while, try getting some canned air and blowing out the dust to see if it makes a difference. You can also try running a small desk fan blowing into the open case to see if the extra cooling make it work better. If either of these options work, it means heat is probably the problem so post back for more ideas about how to manage it. If it doesn't change anything, let us know and we can look for other options.

You could also try running a Repair Install (http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm) from the WinXP CD to try to fix it if it is a software problem....

[Rick]

While you at it.
Make a List of What Programs are running at the time when it locks up.

Also The latest and greatest video drivers is Not always the best idea

[trider65]

Thank you for the help I cleaned the cpu fan and cooler, put some new thermal compound on the chip. I cleaned the fan on the video card, but ended up putting two new case fans in 20mmea. Actually the system was not that dirty. I have Norton Corp. Edition. Antivirus w/ all updates, it mainly freezes when I am surfing the web. w/ explore 6.0,all this and it still freezes. I have netscape but have not tried it enough to see if it freezes also.
Once again thanks for the help

[Budfred]

It is probably a good idea to run Netscape for a while and if you don't get freezes, your IE is probably the problem. IE 6 has a Repair feature you could try.

Also, have you checked in Safe Mode to make sure you don't have any ghost video drivers? As Rick pointed out, updating isn't always helpful.

You might also try the Repair Install if these other options don't work...

At least your system is clean and well cooled now....:D

[ski]

You can do a clean boot to see if there's a problem in Windows:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;310353

If the problem still happens with a clean boot, then it's probably hardware related.
Are you overclocking, or using any non-default settings in BIOS?
Also, what temperatures(deg. C) are the CPU and system running at?

[trider65]

The computer is finally acting great now.
Thanks for all the help.:D

[ski]

What was the cure?

[ShardOfJustice]

My Computer has exactly the same problem, and it is caused by (at least thats what the computer says it is) the geforce 2 video card. My computer takes it one step further though and completely restarts, sometimes after being locked up around 5 minutes. I have been looking into this for a long time and some people say if you download version 30.82 for the geforce it fixes your problems, nevertheless it is a less recent version and game quality is reduced, and it isn't sure fire. I dont't go with it.

I wouldl ike to know the cure also....