Computer Freezing Troubleshooting

[Enrisan]

Hey everyone. A few months ago I got a custom built computer and it ran really great. Over time it would freeze every once in a while, but lately it's been freezing a lot. Yesterday it froze about 4 times with a few minutes and I had to keep restarting. It freezes randomly, sometimes during the Windows login screen, other times at the desktop before I even do anything, or while I'm just browsing the internet.



These are my computer specs:

Intel Core2 Quad 2.33GHz

4 GB RAM

500 GB hard drive

Nvidia Geforce 9600 GT

Windows Vista Business 64-bit



I'm not sure what is going on, I doubt it's a memory issue since it also freezes while just being Idle. Anyone have any troubleshooting techniques to find the problem? This computer is extremely important to my work and I need a good solution.

Thanks!

 

[jagex117]

Go to this site here

It might help.

 

[Potshot]

Try downloading an update for your graphics card. They don't always come through the Windows Update feature, so just go to the Nvidia website and download the on for your specific card.

 

[mightymints]

Try the above, but this is also sometimes a sign of hard drive failure. Has it ever happened before the windows loading screen? If not, id probably put it down to either a HDD or software. Could be some bad drivers also.

 

[Liq]

Try downloading an update for your graphics card. They don't always come through the Windows Update feature, so just go to the Nvidia website and download the on for your specific card.

I wouldn't use Windows Update for nVidia based graphics card drivers on Vista. You really need to clean old video drivers out before you install new ones or you could run into some crap.

 

[Enrisan]

I don't think it has ever frozen before the login screen. I downloaded the latest driver from Nvidia. So far no freezes...

Try the above, but this is also sometimes a sign of hard drive failure. Has it ever happened before the windows loading screen? If not, id probably put it down to either a HDD or software. Could be some bad drivers also.

 

[bevbor]

I would check contact between processor and heatsink.

Your freese look like processor overheating.



P.S. And check out fan on the videocard. It may stuck with time.

Oh, and power supply fan too. And front case fan as well...

 

[Potshot]

I wouldn't use Windows Update for nVidia based graphics card drivers on Vista. You really need to clean old video drivers out before you install new ones or you could run into some crap.

That's why I told him NOT to use windows update...

 

[Liq]

That's why I told him NOT to use windows update...

Try downloading an update for your graphics card. They don't always come through the Windows Update feature, so just go to the Nvidia website and download the on for your specific card.

actually you didn't...

 

[ureeka]

here is another tip, try swapping 2 of your memory sticks. when your PC is idle it still uses ram, by switching 2 sticks your allowing the OS to load into another stick of memory. If it doesn't lock up then you need to run a ram exam that steps through each bit at a time.

 

[CPU64]

The PC I built for my mother's office had a bad habit of locking up while browsing. Usually, it would happen as soon as a new link was clicked on.

i found out that the board didn't like the ram combo and so after swapping ram sticks for a different speed, it never happened again.