Random Freezing Before Windows

[Xamata]

Hi, I have a freezing problem going on for some time now and hope someone has some good ideas for me.

My system specs are:
- P4 1.7
- 512 RAM
- 40 GB Maxtor HD 6Y040L0
- Gforce 4200 TI
- VIA PCI 10/100 NC
Is there a place to find the mother board and RAM makes through windows?

The problem is complete system lockups randomly, in a game the computer will reboot, otherwise it freezes doing anything in windows, installing windows, even before windows loads. Ctrl+alt+del don't work, reset button does though. Sometimes it will go for several hours without freezing, sometimes freeze several times in a few mins.

I've tried reformatting, zeroed my harddrive and updated the BIOS with the manufacturers Maxblast 4, tested with speedfan for the heat lvls, fans working voltages, and a manufacturer program for HD errors. I've cleaned out some dust, wasn't too much. Everything has ran good for over 2 years, and it for sure has nothing to do with software at windows or after... which leaves only the BIOS I think, which I've tested to my knowledge. A year ago almost, I had the powersupply replaced, because it overheated as the fan stopped from too much dust.

My summary, it's freezed at so many different points, even before windows so I just don't see it being software, I've reformatted ruling out updates and have used these programs for years. I've tested some hardware items and it seems nothing stands out as malfunctioning, but I'm no expert.... possibilities it could be to my knowledge, breaking harddrive or something damaged from the power supply overheating....

Looking for ideas of what the problem could be and solutions plz

Btw, I've already gone through the 'techsupportforum' where I've wasted a month testing out all sorts of useless bs, I just want to be able to bring my computer in to be fixed and know what to say needs fixing. :P

[Whyzman]

Welcome tohttp://www.pcguide.com/ubb/pcgubb.gif Forums!

You did run the harddrive diagnostics? I would suggest running Memtest86.

You might also want to look for bulging capacitors:

http://www.pcguide.com/vb/showthread.php?t=25482

Are you running any type of temp monitoring? I would suggest letting it idle while in the BIOS and monitor the temps from in there...if it has thermistors that show temps...

[Xamata]

I'll check the capcitors soon as I read up on it :P

I ran the memtest86 and it cleared, and I dunno if there any other temp tests I could run, but speedfan has temp tests which I checked with the system idle and at full usage.... so think that would give more feedback than running from the BIOS, but I'll have a look anyways.

[Whyzman]

Are there any error messages showing up?

[Xamata]

Hmm, the only one out of like 100+ freezes, was once after reboot before windows loads I got a blue screen saying something like "either software or hardware is malfunctioning" .... basically the computer gods saying they don't know either.

ugh?

[Whyzman]

How old is the computer? Have you ever replaced the CPU fan? If these begin to go bad they will interrupt things due to the RPM sensors most newer motherboards have incorporated to protect the CPUs from overheating. We often get folks who are new to computer building who will mistakenly power the CPU fan from the wrong header on the motherboard. The result is no boot due to the failure to prove to the motherboard that the CPU fan is operating...

A faulty fan might drop RPMs due to stalling, or momentary stalls. It sounds like your system had a problem with dust accummulation which will shorten the life of any of your fans... Just a thought.

Random reboots are most often heat, RAM, or Power Supply related...

Have you done a thorough cleaning of the computer's innards?

[Xamata]

Computer is 3 years old, its been opened once to replace the power supply from burning out, and for a few dust cleanings :P

I think ur the first person who said something very smart 'heat, Ram, or power supply' >.< I didn't build the comp, a store did, they seem reliable since its my second comp from them, I just use the comps so much... 12+ hours a day and on for more than that.

How would I test the fans and powersupply? And memtest86 was for RAM right? I think..

Sry I'm not keeping up with trying some suggestions yet, been busy figuring what things I need for a new comp.

[saphalline]

At 3 years old, I would replace the mobo battery and then clear the CMOS. Even if that doesn't fix anything, it's a good maintenance practice.

Definitely check the capacitors. That's easy to do and would explain these problems. To check the fans, just power up the system and watch them, perhaps even use a pencil against their sides to check for excessive vibrations (suggesting a failing fan) or just listen to them. The reboots are random, and the system made it through a MemTest86 run, so it's not heat. It could also be a loose screw jammed behind the mobo causing a short (possibly stuck there when the PSU was replaced), so check that. CompUSA and other computer shops sell PSU testers for $10-20, which are quite handy to have around.

Just some more things to try/check. Let us know what you find. Or don't find.

[Xamata]

Mkay, well one thing it's not random rebooting, it's random freezing and all I can do is reboot.... but I'm lazy and busy so no progress with things mentioned above but recently some new developements.

Programs started freezing all over while in windows, than the system freezes, and just now on boot up 3 times, at the 2nd boot screen after it detects the vid card on the first, it said something like 'Detecting pri master...., Detecting slave master....) and usually I think it detects the HD in a IDE slot... does that mean something to do with the hard drive??? I have another comp where a yr ago it didn't detect the hd for like hours, but did eventually and its been working fine since. Few people have suggested replacing the hard drive, would this indicate that to be in the high % of being right over other things?

[Whyzman]

If problems are happening this early on, it could be something to do with the motherboard. As saphalline mentioned earlier, it could have something to do with bad caps...

You might want to consider stripping things back to a barebones situation and see if you can repeatedly make it through the boot process...running the memtest will provide running time to see if it freezes up.

Barebones is an attempt to eliminate as many variables as possible...you want only the monitor, RAM, vid card, keyboard...I'd also keep the floppy attached for running the memtest...although, you could also keep the floppy disconnected and see if you can repeatedly make it through POST without freezing up...