Computer Freezing Up

[Balrog]

I need some help, for a number of months my computer has been freezing up whenever i perform certain functions.

I am sure that it is not the graphics card as I have had it replaced, I also know that it is not a corrupt version of windows or my HDD as I have replaced them both.

I have tried starting up windows step by step using the minumum number of system files and the problem remains.

What actually happens, is the computer completely freezes, I lose control of the mouse and keyboard and the only way to turn off the computer is at the wall as the power button does not respond. If a sounds is playing at the time of the freeze it creates a squealing noise which never stops.

The actions that initiate the crash are:

- Dragging a selection box and filling it in photoshop.
- Changing to certain maps (levels) in counter-strike.
- Launching Dreamweaver (only half the time)
- Reading messages on hotmail
- Viewing any flash documents.
- Occasionally for no apparent reason.

There are no conflicts in the setup that I can find.

I have a feeling that it might be the RAM, but I havent got any other RAM to test it out. Do software ram testers exist and if so where can I find them?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Ben

[This message has been edited by Balrog (edited 04-22-2002).]

[ski]

Go into BIOS and select the default settings.
Also, do not overclock anything.

If you use only one RAM module, insert it in another slot. If the problem disappears, then the slot may be bad.
If you use more than one RAM module, then run with only one module inserted. If the problem reoccurs, insert it in another slot or insert a different module to see if the problem goes away. If it does, then either a slot or a module is bad.

Start in Safe mode.
If the problem reoccurs, then it's probably hardware related.
If the problem goes away, then it's probably a software conflict. Do a clean boot to troubleshoot it: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;Q192926

[spud]

get a )*&%#*&%$ life

[This message has been edited by Paleo Pete (edited 04-22-2002).]

[spud]

try putting bleach in your hard drive

[mjc]

Spud,
WATCH YOUR LANGUAGE!!!

If that is the extent of your advice/comments then please take your own advice, also, look elsewhere for your thrills......

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

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[Paleo Pete]

Spud: That kind of language and attitude are not necessary and will not be tolerated. If you have something constructive to add to the discussion by all means do so. If you only want to insult and harrass people Here (http://chat.yahoo.com/) is a place you will find yourself right at home.

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[This message has been edited by Paleo Pete (edited 04-22-2002).]

[Balrog]

ski,

thanks for the suggestions, i tried everything you said but the problems re-occured.

To add to the list i am now sure it's not my sound card, or RAM slots.

[mjc]

Basically three things are the common causes for your symptoms...heat problems, RAM problems and power problems...

You haven't completely eliminated the RAM problem, because the only way to really check is to swap it out (or have a several hundred dollar machine to test it), yes there are some RAM tesing apps but they only can do so much they can do...

http://www.simmtester.com/PAGE/products/doc/docinfo.asp

a quick check for heat related problems is to open the case and then point a small household fan into the case and run it that way (also if you motherboard supports monitoring and has the BIOS options available, when rebooting after a lockup jump into the BIOS and take a peek at the temps...or grab some a monitor program like MBM5 (http://mbm.livewiredev.com/).

Power problems are usually best solved/diagnosed by swapping the power supply. By the way, you don't give any hardware details...so please include some (like processor, video card, other cards, amount and type of RAM, other peripherals and the size (in watts) of your current power supply), these will hepl to determine if your power supply is upto the task at hand...

------------------
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.

[Balrog]

Oh, sorry, was in a bit of a hurry when i wrote my first post.

System specs are:

PIII 550 slot 1
128mb sd100 ram
geforce 2 mmx400 64mb agp
sblive! 1024
atx mobo, 6pci, 1 agp slot
300w
8x dvdrom
4x2x12x hp cd-rewriter.
4gb hdd (with additional 19gb hdd thats not in use, not plugged in)
win98

is that any heko

thankyou for contributing so far