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Argonath RPG Community => Hardware/Software support => Resolved issues => Topic started by: 9r2e5i3k on July 08, 2011, 11:57:01 pm

Title: Fixing a PC. Level: NIGHTMARE
Post by: 9r2e5i3k on July 08, 2011, 11:57:01 pm
OK guys, some of you already know about my PC hanging up often. I'm completly out of ideas how to fix it, and out of patience to live with it. Especially when I thought I finally fixed it.

The symptom:
Sudden freeze of the whole PC. This happens most of the time while playing games, but also happens when browsing the web, listening to music or even when the system is idle.

If there was any audio playing, there would come out a short buffer crackfart at the point of hanging up. If the HDD was active, the LED on the case would continue to glow even if the HDD stopped.

After my last fiddling with the BIOS, the PC sometimes does not fully hang up, but only the audio chip and USB devices freeze/fail.

Most likely cause:
f**k knows really. Could be the motherboard, read about it that it might have problems with voltages. But that's not even sure.

Base Hardware:
Mobo:Gigabyte GA7-N400S-L
CPU:AMD Sempron 2200+ @ 1,49GHz (166*9) AMD Athlon XP 2700+ @ 2.15GHz (166*13)
RAM:1GB: 1*512MB DDR1 PC400 Kingston + 1*512MB DDR1 PC400 Nanya (both @ 3-3-3-8 timings)
GFX:Gainward GeForce FX5200 Ultra [AGP 8x, 128MB]
HDD1:Maxtor 6Y060L0, 60GB (PATA)
HDD2:Seagate ST3320620AS, 300GB (SATA)
HDD3:Maxtor 7Y250P0, 250GB (PATA)
CD1:SAMSUNG CDRW/DVD SM-348B (PATA)
CD2:Samsung CDDVDW SH-222AB (SATA)
If need more details, ask.

Windows XP Service Pack 3, 32bit. All updates.
THIS ALREADY HANGS UP.

What I've already tried (all failed/no error found):
Reinstalling Windows,
Upating as well as not updating the OS via Microsoft Update,
Using different GFX drivers (incl. default windows drivers),
Using different chipset drivers (incl. no drivers),
Using different sound drivers (incl. no drivers),
Testing RAM w/ different programs,
Testing the system hard drive,
Clearing CMOS settings,
Downclocking the FSB to 100/133MHz,
Switching to another video card,
Installing the OS on another hard drive,
Disabling every unused port/feature in the BIOS,
Disconnecting/replacing pretty much every part that's possible to replace in a PC,
and other things I might've forgotten about.

Halp guise.


Sorry for any typos, I broke my second keyboard and had to type this ith the OSK.
Title: Re: Fixing a PC. Level: NIGHTMARE
Post by: Squeak on July 09, 2011, 12:44:53 am
Same thing happened to me, reinstalled Windows XP three times. I'll turn the computer on and it'll run fine for about 15 minutes, then it'll lock up and become unresponsive to anything.
Title: Re: Fixing a PC. Level: NIGHTMARE
Post by: Ted on July 09, 2011, 01:15:32 am
Might be a temperature issue somewhere have you checked the bios for temperatures or even a program? Are you able to remove the sound card or is it onboard?

Did you change anything inside your computer shortly before this started to occur?
Title: Re: Fixing a PC. Level: NIGHTMARE
Post by: 9r2e5i3k on July 09, 2011, 11:18:06 am
Might be a temperature issue somewhere have you checked the bios for temperatures or even a program?
Temperatures are acceptable.
Are you able to remove the sound card or is it onboard?
Integrated. Most I can do is disable it in BIOS.
Did you change anything inside your computer shortly before this started to occur?
It was like that since always I think...
Same thing happened to me, reinstalled Windows XP three times. I'll turn the computer on and it'll run fine for about 15 minutes, then it'll lock up and become unresponsive to anything.
What were your PC's specs?
Title: Re: Fixing a PC. Level: NIGHTMARE
Post by: Manoleas on July 09, 2011, 11:24:44 am
What do suggest me to do a great pc with low ammount of money?
Title: Re: Fixing a PC. Level: NIGHTMARE
Post by: Bilbo on July 09, 2011, 11:50:59 am
Try running the system on another hard drive disk. That means swapping the system hard drive and installing the operating system on it. If the problems still occur, the problem lies within your motherboard.
Title: Re: Fixing a PC. Level: NIGHTMARE
Post by: 9r2e5i3k on July 09, 2011, 01:55:38 pm
Try running the system on another hard drive disk. That means swapping the system hard drive and installing the operating system on it. If the problems still occur, the problem lies within your motherboard.
Did not help, also hung up.

What do suggest me to do a great pc with low ammount of money?
Already considred, but haven't got enough money yet.
Title: Re: Fixing a PC. Level: NIGHTMARE
Post by: Salmonella on July 09, 2011, 02:52:23 pm
I would've guessed you had a really dusty laptop looking at the symphtoms..

Anyways, You've done a lot of Software updates while it's probably something you should do in hardware.. I would take it apart, take mobo out, cpu out, RAM out, etc etc, then put everything back.

If that wont work buy a new mobo, shouldn't be expensive with these specs.
Title: Re: Fixing a PC. Level: NIGHTMARE
Post by: 9r2e5i3k on July 09, 2011, 06:32:33 pm
I would've guessed you had a really dusty laptop looking at the symphtoms..
It's not a laptop.

Anyways, You've done a lot of Software updates while it's probably something you should do in hardware.. I would take it apart, take mobo out, cpu out, RAM out, etc etc, then put everything back.
Already done before.

If that wont work buy a new mobo, shouldn't be expensive with these specs.
Spending money on this piece of junk is uneconomic at least anyway. I anyhing, I'm considering upgrading the whole base.
Title: Re: Fixing a PC. Level: NIGHTMARE
Post by: Aimzz on July 09, 2011, 07:46:03 pm
Have you checked your CPU temp?
Title: Re: Fixing a PC. Level: NIGHTMARE
Post by: 9r2e5i3k on July 09, 2011, 08:45:19 pm
Have you checked your CPU temp?
>Temperatures are acceptable.
Title: Re: Fixing a PC. Level: NIGHTMARE
Post by: Mikal on July 09, 2011, 09:38:48 pm
I used to have nearly EVERY problem, my computer eventualy blew up....

Try opening it up, vacume it out and get any dust off the fans.
Try a system restore (If you already havent).

I don't know much about computers, but this is how I've fixed 2 of mine...  :D
Title: Re: Fixing a PC. Level: NIGHTMARE
Post by: Aimzz on July 09, 2011, 09:46:00 pm
What is your current BIOS version?
Title: Re: Fixing a PC. Level: NIGHTMARE
Post by: 9r2e5i3k on July 10, 2011, 12:29:38 am
@Mikal
PC is already dust free, andfor the third time tempratures are normal.
A system restore will not help.
>Level: NIGHTMARE

@Aimzz
F5 - newest available from Gigabyte's site.
Title: Re: Fixing a PC. Level: NIGHTMARE
Post by: Julio. on July 10, 2011, 12:48:44 am
If possible, get a hold of some Industrial Strength Alcohol Cleaner and dip the board in it, I've been informed i works very well at cleaning.

Then again, then I'd get blamed if it broke, so Meh :|
Title: Re: Fixing a PC. Level: NIGHTMARE
Post by: Squeak on July 10, 2011, 02:11:48 am
What were your PC's specs?
MOBO: Asterope2-GL8E
CPU: Intel Pentium D 2.8GHz
RAM: 2GB DDR2
HDD: Seagate 250GB @ 7200RPM
GFX: Sapphire ATI Radeon HD 4850

Title: Re: Fixing a PC. Level: NIGHTMARE
Post by: 9r2e5i3k on July 10, 2011, 10:17:01 am
FOR THE LAST TIME GUYS, THE PC IS CLEAN ENOUGH AND DOESN'T OVERHEAT.
DIRT/DUST IS NOT THE PROBLEM.

MOBO: Asterope2-GL8E
CPU: Intel Pentium D 2.8GHz
RAM: 2GB DDR2
HDD: Seagate 250GB @ 7200RPM
GFX: Sapphire ATI Radeon HD 4850
No related parts then...

inb4 it's the hdd.
Seagate's HDD's are good and not the problem here, the PC hangs up even with the Seagate HDD disconnected.

BTW PC geeks and pros, tell me if the voltages are normal...
+5V
-5V
Title: Re: Fixing a PC. Level: NIGHTMARE
Post by: Julio. on July 10, 2011, 11:50:15 am
Here, I'll upload mine so you can compare.
Title: Re: Fixing a PC. Level: NIGHTMARE
Post by: 9r2e5i3k on July 10, 2011, 07:26:05 pm
Here, I'll upload mine so you can compare.
tbh, can't compare crap. HWMonitor doesn't show an average [hence the speedfan chart], and it seems you screencapped it right after launching anyway
Title: Re: Fixing a PC. Level: NIGHTMARE
Post by: Julio. on July 11, 2011, 08:16:05 pm
tbh, can't compare crap. HWMonitor doesn't show an average [hence the speedfan chart], and it seems you screencapped it right after launching anyway

Every time I've launched it, it reads about the same :P
Title: Re: Fixing a PC. Level: NIGHTMARE
Post by: Max. on July 12, 2011, 01:46:52 am
1: how long has it been doing this

2: how big is your power supply
Title: Re: Fixing a PC. Level: NIGHTMARE
Post by: Ziad on July 13, 2011, 01:04:09 am
its very easy a virus is overprocessing your HDD so its freezing after some time, what you gotta do?
format the computer and BEFORE you plug it to internet install AVG Free, and then link it to the internet (the virus is coming from an opened port)AVG will 95% catch it so good luck :D
Title: Re: Fixing a PC. Level: NIGHTMARE
Post by: Nathan on July 13, 2011, 03:51:30 am
It's the hard drive. Probably locking up or on the grind to fail. Try using only the SATA one.
Title: Re: Fixing a PC. Level: NIGHTMARE
Post by: 9r2e5i3k on July 13, 2011, 12:58:02 pm
It's the hard drive. Probably locking up or on the grind to fail. Try using only the SATA one.
It's the hard drive. Probably locking up or on the grind to fail. Try using only the SATA one.
its very easy a virus is overprocessing your HDD so its freezing after some time, what you gotta do?
format the computer and BEFORE you plug it to internet install AVG Free, and then link it to the internet (the virus is coming from an opened port)AVG will 95% catch it so good luck :D

Hard Drive is not the fault guys. Already tried disconnecting both the Seagate [SATA] and the Maxtor [PATA], and connecting in another Seagate drive [PATA]. Still was hanging up. Also Icy already suggested using another drive, read previous posts if you mind.

Gotta update first post with more crap that I tried to fix it.



But also after some recent changes, the PC seems to be suspiciously very stable over the last two days, ie. did not hang up yet.

Last changes were:
 - disconnecting FDD,
 - disconnecting the Seagate SATA HDD,
 - disconnecting DVD writer [SATA].

At this point PC seemed to be stabile, so installed the chipset and audio drivers (still running on def. Microsoft graphics drivers), after more testing reconnected the Seagate SATA HDD. Runs for two days without a hang up yet.

You could say it's the DVD writer but the problem I had since always, while the DVD writer only for like a month. If you guess it's the FDD, I've tried disconnecting everything before and that time it didn't help, so it's not [or not only] the FDD either.

But I'm not considering the problem fixed, if it won't hold without a single hang up for at least a month.
Title: Re: Fixing a PC. Level: NIGHTMARE
Post by: Squeak on July 13, 2011, 07:15:20 pm
HDD is not the problem as I replaced mine with the exact same model.
Title: Re: Fixing a PC. Level: NIGHTMARE
Post by: Yihka on July 14, 2011, 04:00:14 pm
I used to have the same problem, brought it back for warranty and they thought it was the RAM, however this was not the case...

So after another few months I insisted it must be the motherboard then and they finally replaced it. From that moment it stopped freezing. ( Doesn't matter what I did)

I will explain my problem further, then you might see if you have a similar problem. If you do, it might be your motherboard too or something else that's faulty inside your computer.


]My problem was:

I start up the computer, I do whatever I want with it and after an amount of time, sometimes 15 minutes, sometimes 3 days and my screen starts to freeze. Not just my screen, my whole computer. Can't move your mouse can't ctrl-alt-delete etc. Frozen.

My CPU Temperature was fine, so was my GPU. The only problem I found was my RAM by running Memtest.

Oh and I have noticed too that it does NOT freeze on Ubuntu.



With that said, perhaps you should try out Memtest too! ( http://www.memtest86.com/ (http://www.memtest86.com/) )

You basically put it on a CD and boot it from CD. Then you run any of the tests. I suggest running them with 1 RAM chip at a time, see if you get errors.


Hope this post helps you with your problem. :)
Title: Re: Fixing a PC. Level: NIGHTMARE
Post by: 9r2e5i3k on July 17, 2011, 02:48:22 am
RAM's been tested with memtest, goldmem, windows memory diagnostic and some fourth program I forgot the name. All ran at most extended modes and/or looped for several hours (6+). No errors found. So I'm rather confident that the RAM is fine.

Also I got only one RAM module; and memtest86 comes along with Ubuntu CD.

Here's a note:
I'm currently using the Windows XP default driver for the graphics card and the PC runs rather OK, stability-wise at least. If I install any other driver (tried NVIDIA's 179.19, 179.16, 169.21, 91.31 (all WHQL/signed) and OmegaDrivers), the hanging up returns. If I revert to the MS driver, it seems to run stabile again.

It's rather not the video card itself because it ran OK on various drivers on the other PC.

Though this might be one of the problems [that oddly causes same symptom], I exclude this as being the [only] source of the hanging up. Reason being that at previous attempts and fiddlings the PC was hanging up even with the default Windows driver.

Also currently I still have my optical drive, FDD and additional 2xUSB2.0 disconnected from the motherboard.
Title: Re: Fixing a PC. Level: NIGHTMARE
Post by: stormeus on July 23, 2011, 11:27:51 am
Sounds more like a component failure to me. Either the motherboard or processor.
Title: Re: Fixing a PC. Level: NIGHTMARE
Post by: Witchking on July 24, 2011, 09:14:02 am
had an issue like this on my old computer i put in a new motherboard and it worked  :)
Title: Re: Fixing a PC. Level: NIGHTMARE
Post by: 9r2e5i3k on July 24, 2011, 12:56:23 pm
Dear diary,

The PC was running quite well in the last week or two, until tomorrow, when it was hanging up like crazy, like every 5 minutes. Tried disconnecting the switches/LED's/PC speaker in case there was some short circuit causing the freezes, but that didn't help so I reconnected them again. Then the PC hung up like 3-4 more times and started working normal.

If you ask how I turned the PC on with the power switch disconnected, I set in the BIOS to power on when pressed '2' on the keyboard before disconnecting the switches.
Title: Re: Fixing a PC. Level: NIGHTMARE
Post by: Jingle on July 24, 2011, 05:57:27 pm
I was getting the blue screen of death every five minutes a few days ago; I was close to throwing the PC out of the window because it always froze and gave me that huge error, it then repeated about six times after restarting. I could then use it for a maximum of two hours before the shit happened again. Yesterday, I went to a factory where a relative of mine works in and used compressed air to get every last bit of dust out of my PC. I haven't had any issue with my PC so far. This isn't a myth and you should try it; if you don't have compressed air, you could use some sort of vacuum cleaner.
Title: Re: Fixing a PC. Level: NIGHTMARE
Post by: Salmonella on July 24, 2011, 11:46:48 pm
be carefull with compressed air. It might be good but not if you blow ON the motherboard, do it sideways instead.. Otherwise the dust will stick to the mobo or worse..
Title: Re: Fixing a PC. Level: NIGHTMARE
Post by: 9r2e5i3k on July 25, 2011, 12:21:17 pm
@Jingle
The PC is rather clean of dust. The PC does not hang up regularly, eg. after 2 hours. It can run for a week without hanging up, while one day it's gonna hang up every 5 minutes.

I'm getting closer to the belief that there are gnomes living in my PC that are just plain trolling me...
Title: Re: Fixing a PC. Level: NIGHTMARE
Post by: 9r2e5i3k on December 12, 2011, 08:20:02 pm
bumping old topic, problem still persists and is shagging all of my nerves
Title: Re: Fixing a PC. Level: NIGHTMARE
Post by: Julio. on December 13, 2011, 09:18:38 am
I think your assessment may be right, you have trolling gnomes, or perhaps your PC is a troll.
Title: Re: Fixing a PC. Level: NIGHTMARE
Post by: Aldo on December 13, 2011, 02:27:52 pm
I'm sorry but your PC is a hunk of shit

Save up some cash and build a new one
Title: Re: Fixing a PC. Level: NIGHTMARE
Post by: 9r2e5i3k on December 17, 2011, 09:24:49 pm
Save up some cash and build a new one
>implying that's not the plan

but i still want to get this pile of electrical crap working
Title: Re: Fixing a PC. Level: NIGHTMARE
Post by: duffman on December 17, 2011, 09:26:41 pm
Wait.. THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WITH MY HD MAN
Title: Re: Fixing a PC. Level: NIGHTMARE
Post by: Antonio. on December 17, 2011, 10:00:46 pm
I was getting the blue screen of death every five minutes a few days ago; I was close to throwing the PC out of the window because it always froze and gave me that huge error, it then repeated about six times after restarting. I could then use it for a maximum of two hours before the shit happened again. Yesterday, I went to a factory where a relative of mine works in and used compressed air to get every last bit of dust out of my PC. I haven't had any issue with my PC so far. This isn't a myth and you should try it; if you don't have compressed air, you could use some sort of vacuum cleaner.
When I had my other computer a few years ago, this helped fixing my computer every time. Using some after shave and some paper towels did the job. :D
Title: Re: Fixing a PC. Level: NIGHTMARE
Post by: Squeak on December 17, 2011, 11:39:53 pm
When I had my other computer a few years ago, this helped fixing my computer every time. Using some after shave and some paper towels did the job. :D
You put aftershave on your computer?
Title: Re: Fixing a PC. Level: NIGHTMARE
Post by: Rick. on December 18, 2011, 04:35:56 am
You put aftershave on your computer?

 :lol: :lol:
Title: Re: Fixing a PC. Level: NIGHTMARE
Post by: Jcstodds on December 18, 2011, 05:08:36 am
  Could be a possible RAM problem. Dunno if you bought a new RAM stick but try only using one of them, and make sure it is in the primary slot for the motherboard.
Title: Re: Fixing a PC. Level: NIGHTMARE
Post by: Karmps. on December 18, 2011, 01:54:44 pm
Switch ram sticks with another holes might work...
Title: Re: Fixing a PC. Level: NIGHTMARE
Post by: 9r2e5i3k on December 18, 2011, 10:08:31 pm
RAM is not the problem guys, I had the problem before I got the second RAM module, and the first one was tested with 4 different tools.
Title: Re: Fixing a PC. Level: NIGHTMARE
Post by: rid on December 18, 2011, 11:19:56 pm
with your info, I can only think of a defective power supply...
I have lots of old hardware on my garage to build small PCs (most of them without cases), and I was trying to solve a similar problem. It was the power supply, I changed it to another and no more freezes :)
It was something in the power supply, either some bad contact, some half-damaged component or whatever.
It also might be too weak for your system, I don't know because you didn't really mention your power supply info.

when I had a not-so-good PSU on my (recent) hardware it also used to freeze - but not permanently - in heavier games, due to the graphic card asking more power than what was recieving. (The +12v amperage was a bit low)
Title: Re: Fixing a PC. Level: NIGHTMARE
Post by: Julio. on December 19, 2011, 09:28:23 am
You put aftershave on your computer?

Who says you can't? PC's wanna smell good too.
Title: Re: Fixing a PC. Level: NIGHTMARE
Post by: Roadkill on December 22, 2011, 04:53:56 pm
Wow is that the same computer you used to use in MTA:VC? I remember you used to lag loads back in 06 lol.
Title: Re: Fixing a PC. Level: NIGHTMARE
Post by: 9r2e5i3k on December 22, 2011, 06:01:35 pm
Wow is that the same computer you used to use in MTA:VC? I remember you used to lag loads back in 06 lol.
I got a bit faster CPU and more RAM but it's basically the same box :razz:
Title: Re: Fixing a PC. Level: NIGHTMARE
Post by: Roadkill on December 22, 2011, 06:47:54 pm
I got a bit faster CPU and more RAM but it's basically the same box :razz:

Crazy I don't know how you manage, didn't I see you on GTA IV once? How with those specs?
Title: Re: Fixing a PC. Level: NIGHTMARE
Post by: 9r2e5i3k on December 22, 2011, 07:36:19 pm
Wasn't me. I've never launched GTAIV
Title: Re: Fixing a PC. Level: NIGHTMARE
Post by: Roadkill on December 22, 2011, 11:20:38 pm
Wasn't me. I've never launched GTAIV

Maybe I was seeing things then lol.
Title: Re: Fixing a PC. Level: NIGHTMARE
Post by: Aldo on December 23, 2011, 04:10:40 am
Grz can you order stuff from Amazon.co.uk? If yes I can send you links to a cheap(About 310 Euro) very good build
Title: Re: Fixing a PC. Level: NIGHTMARE
Post by: 9r2e5i3k on December 23, 2011, 07:59:44 pm
Grz can you order stuff from Amazon.co.uk? If yes I can send you links to a cheap(About 310 Euro) very good build
no money anyway

unless you pay for it  :evil:
Title: Re: Fixing a PC. Level: NIGHTMARE
Post by: Aldo on December 24, 2011, 08:59:04 am
unless you pay for it  :evil:

nig plzzz im saving up so I can build me a new pc, was gonna build one with but bought clothes so now i have to start over again xD  :rofl:
Title: Re: Fixing a PC. Level: NIGHTMARE
Post by: duffman on December 24, 2011, 05:43:46 pm
nig plzzz im saving up so I can build me a new pc, was gonna build one with but bought clothes so now i have to start over again xD  :rofl:
@SWWWAG AT THE TOP
Title: Re: Fixing a PC. Level: NIGHTMARE
Post by: 9r2e5i3k on January 08, 2012, 08:02:21 pm
Bump. I guess it must be the motherboard then, the PSU seems more than great.

Today I've plugged in my PSU into another motherboard (an AsRock K7VT4A PRO) with a Sempron 2200+, 2x256MB's of 266MHz DDR1 RAM and a GeForce MX440SE and all voltages were pretty much great (attachment 1) - unlike the voltages on this mobo (attachment 2)

seems that I ddin't even mention what PSU is it...

It's an Enlight GPS-350BB-104C
(http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/yhst-90432262887525_2189_161371527)
Title: Re: Fixing a PC. Level: NIGHTMARE
Post by: Get Murked on January 09, 2012, 02:42:56 pm
You put aftershave on your computer?
It actually works, along side cleaning console games and such. :D
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