PC periodically LOCKS UP!!

[cmulvey]

I have my PC plugged into a surge protector that is plugged into a wall outlet that is controlled by a (light) switch. When I'm not using my PC, the (light) switch is turned off. Periodically my PC has been locking up or freezing. It won't allow me to "reset", "power off", or use the CTRL-ALT-DELETE command. I have to get up and flip the (light) switch to kill the power and then flip it back on and turn the PC back on. It always boots right up as if nothing happened. Write when it does it though, I have noticed a change in how the computer sounds, then I notice my mouse won't move and I know it has happened again. It is starting to occur more frequently. It did only occur once a week or less, now its occurring multiple times a night. I thought perhaps it was my power supply, but I don't know enough about hardware to diagnose it myself. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.

[mjc]

Try plugging it directly into the wall to see if the surge protector is on the way out...

Some more info would be helpful, like what CPU, size of the power supply, motherboard and how many devices there are on the machine (dirves, etc)...

Have you added any new hardware lately?

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mjc
Links list: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.

[cmulvey]

Originally posted by mjc:
Try plugging it directly into the wall to see if the surge protector is on the way out...

Some more info would be helpful, like what CPU, size of the power supply, motherboard and how many devices there are on the machine (dirves, etc)...

Have you added any new hardware lately?



I tried plugging it directly into the wall, it still did it. So then I tried an outlet on another circuit, still did it. This is a second hand computer built by some guy, he told me it would be new, I didn't find out until many months after I had purchased it that the parts are used. I don't know what the power supply is. The processor is an AMD-K7. I only have speakers, joystick, printer, and a scanner connected to it. It has 10 GB hard drive, w/550Mhz AMD-K7. I looked at the power supply, but it wasn't written anywhere on its case, just what it was. It seems to be OK until the computer warms up, which doesn't take long. Last night it did fine for about an hour and a half, then it wouldn't boot up again until I waited about 5 minutes. Any other ideas?

[bassman]

Hello Cmulvey,
For starters, I am going to recommend that you never plug a computer into a socket that is controled by a switch. These are meant for lighting and are most typicly 15 Amp circuits. A computer, whenever possible, should run on a dedicated 20 Amp circuit. This means nothing else turned on, that is on the same circuit, when the computer is on. Preferably nothing else on the same circuit as computer!

Next, check to make sure the CPU fan is clean and spins freely when the machine is on. Same for the PSU fan.
Also, check to see what is running in the background (CTRL-ALT-DELETE) before the freeze happens.
Try a Virus scan.

Let us know how this goes. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/cool.gif

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Quotes from "Lifes Little Instruction Book" by H.Jackson Brown: 409)Wage war against littering! Frank's Place (http://www.members.aol.com/frankscompsrvice)

[ski]

The problem could be due to a failing power supply module or an overheating CPU. Swapping them out is the only way to see if either is the cause.

[cmulvey]

Originally posted by ski:
The problem could be due to a failing power supply module or an overheating CPU. Swapping them out is the only way to see if either is the cause.

CPU shouldn't be overheating because this thing has 6 fans in it. I have run a virus scan (updated), found nothing. I don't know much about power supplies other than you can be shocked by them even if the cpu is unplugged. Will I tear up anything by hooking up another power supply out of another computer, even though I don't have a clue what the current power supply is in my computer?

[cmulvey]

Originally posted by ski:
The problem could be due to a failing power supply module or an overheating CPU. Swapping them out is the only way to see if either is the cause.

CPU shouldn't be overheating because this thing has 6 fans in it. I have run a virus scan (updated), found nothing. I don't know much about power supplies other than you can be shocked by them even if the cpu is unplugged. Will I tear up anything by hooking up another power supply out of another computer, even though I don't have a clue what the current power supply is in my computer?

[ski]

You should be ok swapping power supplies as long as they are both the same type, i.e., ATX, AT, etc.
An AT has 2 separate 6 wire MB connectors with a power switch mounted on its case, and an ATX has a single 20 wire connector and no case mounted power switch.
Your machine's power supply should be an ATX rated for approx. 200-250 watts. If the other computer uses a 200+ MHz CPU, then it should be ok to use its PS just for testing.

[mjc]

If this thing has six fans in it, what else does it have?

Just because of the number of fans doesn't mean it won't over heat, especially if they are working cross purposes. Also if you have a machine that is has enough devices in it to require six fans you should probably be using as 350W++ psu.

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mjc
Links list: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.

[cmulvey]

Originally posted by ski:
You should be ok swapping power supplies as long as they are both the same type, i.e., ATX, AT, etc.
An AT has 2 separate 6 wire MB connectors with a power switch mounted on its case, and an ATX has a single 20 wire connector and no case mounted power switch.
Your machine's power supply should be an ATX rated for approx. 200-250 watts. If the other computer uses a 200+ MHz CPU, then it should be ok to use its PS just for testing.

OK, I swapped power supplies, still have the same problem. I cleaned the cpu and all 6 fans. I don't know why it has 6, there is nothing special about this computer, as I said before, it is a second hand computer. My device manager doesn't show any problems. My utility programs are not coming up with any errors either. Any more suggestions? Thank you, Cindy.

[cmulvey]

Originally posted by ski:
You should be ok swapping power supplies as long as they are both the same type, i.e., ATX, AT, etc.
An AT has 2 separate 6 wire MB connectors with a power switch mounted on its case, and an ATX has a single 20 wire connector and no case mounted power switch.
Your machine's power supply should be an ATX rated for approx. 200-250 watts. If the other computer uses a 200+ MHz CPU, then it should be ok to use its PS just for testing.

OK, I tried a different power supply, same problem. I cleaned the cpu and fans also. This is a simple second hand machine, I don't have anything special on it. I ran diagnostic software, found nothing. CTRL-ALT-DEL shows I have the following running all the time: Explorer, Avgcc32, Whagent, Memturbo, Startm, Lxsupmon, N32rmd, Rundll32, Hde, Stimon, Systray, Ptsnoop, Avgserv9, Dkservice, csinject, Rnaapp, cg16eh, Speedkey, cgmenu, comdlgex, trashsrv. Any ideas? Thank you, Cindy.

[cmulvey]

Originally posted by ski:
You should be ok swapping power supplies as long as they are both the same type, i.e., ATX, AT, etc.
An AT has 2 separate 6 wire MB connectors with a power switch mounted on its case, and an ATX has a single 20 wire connector and no case mounted power switch.
Your machine's power supply should be an ATX rated for approx. 200-250 watts. If the other computer uses a 200+ MHz CPU, then it should be ok to use its PS just for testing.

OK, I tried a different power supply, same problem. I cleaned the cpu and fans also. This is a simple second hand machine, I don't have anything special on it. I ran diagnostic software, found nothing. CTRL-ALT-DEL shows I have the following running all the time: Explorer, Avgcc32, Whagent, Memturbo, Startm, Lxsupmon, N32rmd, Rundll32, Hde, Stimon, Systray, Ptsnoop, Avgserv9, Dkservice, csinject, Rnaapp, cg16eh, Speedkey, cgmenu, comdlgex, trashsrv. Any ideas? Thank you, Cindy.

[mjc]

Ok, that seems like a lot in the background....try disabling/turning off all but what is actually needed. Here (http://www2.whidbey.net/djdenham/Window_memory.htm) is a list of start up programs and here (http://www.pacs-portal.co.uk/startup_content.htm) is another
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mjc
Links list: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.


[This message has been edited by mjc (edited 01-11-2002).]

[This message has been edited by mjc (edited 01-11-2002).]

[ski]

If the substitute power supply did not fix things, then the chief suspect is the CPU(even with 6 fans). AMD's run very hot and time may have taken its toll with yours.

Things to try:
-Make sure the CPU fan is running at the proper speed.
-Clean any dust out of the CPU fan and heat sink.
-Remove the heat sink and the old thermal grease, apply new grease.
-Swap out the CPU.

[Vic 970]

Had same problem with a Cyrix cpu about 12 months ago, finally (after trying everything else for 3 months) I decided that the cpu had got 'tired' & turned down the speed (essentially 'under-clocking it. & No it wasn't 'over-clocked to start with.)

Anyway it cured the problem & the pc is Still working fine. May be worth a look !

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for every question there's an answer. Then a load more questions.
Definition of Upgrade "A means of introducing new bugs to a program to replace the ones that you have eventually found fixes for"

Regards..,
Vic.

[mjc]

What is Whagent (http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000453.htm)

cg16eh-Norton crashgaurd....

Reading your original post again, you are having a problem with your computer locking up, and not shutting down...the two apps above and several others that youhave running in the background are "resource hogs" beside the first being "spyware". An over abundance of background applications can and will cause the problems you exhibit, especially if you have a borderline heat problem, because they tend to work the CPU harder. Go through the links I posted earlier to help you turn off some of these background programs also grab AdAware (http://www.lavasoftusa.com/index.html) to help you deal with the "spyware"...

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mjc
Links list: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.

[cmulvey]

Originally posted by mjc:
Ok, that seems like a lot in the background....try disabling/turning off all but what is actually needed. Here (http://www2.whidbey.net/djdenham/Window_memory.htm) is a list of start up programs and here (http://www.pacs-portal.co.uk/startup_content.htm) is another

I'm not sure if it was this, the Adware you told me about, or the combination of the two, but my computer is running great. I appreciate everyone's help. Thank you, Cindy.