Frozen all the time...

Skookum · Jun 7, 2004

just a shot in the dark i never post here because i'm totally unqualified and never browse either.....

BUT

i had similiar problems, became progressively worse. had a "scritching" noise from my harddrive. Turns out my IBM Deskstar had a bug where it reread an error and would scratch the hell out of itself. i guess computer nerds call em "Deathstars". If that's the case move everything to a new hard drive and use that for your primary.

pixelninja · Jun 8, 2004

Well, it could be your lack of RAM. I think we've gotten to the point that 256MB is not enough to run the latest operating systems plus any software on top of it. Upgrade to the most you can install/afford and see what happens.

More RAM is never a bad thing. Just make sure you get compatable sticks (contact HP to find out exactly what type you need).

Toshi · Jun 8, 2004

a lack of ram would not cause the computer to freeze. you might have bad ram (try swapping out with other ram sticks if you have access to them), or something might have gone wrong with the hard drive as skookum notes. or you just might be up for a reinstall -- this seems pretty common with windows

Ciaran · Jun 10, 2004

It is likely 2 or 3 things causing this, or a combination of all of them....

O.S. Needs a reinstall. Yup, this is common and standard with windows. Especially on mass produced machines. They don't take the time to tweak as they go along.

More RAM, or replacing your current RAM. Playing games demands a lot of your system. Trying to do memory intensive operations on 256 megs of (probably) generic ram can lead to lock ups. (Though it is usually a combination of this and say, your O.S. needing a reinstall.)

You have software that is not playing well with each other. Either applications or device software (drivers or configuration). Incorrectly configured IRQ's can lead to lock ups.

If you are going to game, get more RAM. More RAM is the single greatest thing you can do to improve the performance of your PC. More so than getting a faster procesor. I would recommend a MINIMUM of 512 for standard computing (web surfing, e-mail, etc.) and a full GIG if you are gaming. It sounds like alot but you buy it once and you will be really happy with how your machine just zips along.

I would also recommend reblasting your PC. If Windows has been up and runnig for 6 months or more, it's probably due for it anyway.

Hope this helps!

Ciaran... Who does this stuff for a living, so yeah, you can trust him.

SLAYER2003 · Jun 13, 2004

If your computer is only an 866mhz, chances are that its current motherboard cannot even handle anymore RAM. Unless you have a newer mobo that you could run more RAM in, then I do not know why you would have an 866mhz cpu in it. The computer that you are describing in todays world is worth about $250 and will not handle todays newer games.

If you buy more RAM and/or hard drive, you will spend a couple hundred, so instead, spend $500 and get a whole new system that will handle anything you throw at it.

Todays newer games require more RAM and also more Video RAM. If it "locks up" during new games, but plays older games fine, it is not enough RAM and/or cpu in your case and/or video card. The latest drivers for your card could also be downloaded and installed which could help if it is just graphic card errors.

Toshi · Jun 13, 2004

hmm. my 800 mhz computer handles 1.5 gb of ram just fine

hehe. of course, it's a mac...

Ciaran · Jun 13, 2004

Toshi said:
hmm. my 800 mhz computer handles 1.5 gb of ram just fine hehe. of course, it's a mac...

Yeah, one of my PC's is an AMD athlon 850, it has 500 megs of DDR 333 RAM, with another slot on the mobo for more (Shuttle motherboard). Older mobos may not handle more than 2 or 3 sticks, and an older OS can't handle more than 512 sometimes, but the processor can handle it.

Ciaran...

P.S. A mac??? Ack! Unclean! Unclean!

D_D · Jun 14, 2004

It could just be overheating. Open the case and check the fans are not broken/cloged with dust.

D_D · Jun 15, 2004

I think there is a good chance it is the problem as the lockups happen during games and defrag which are both processor intensive.

You could try leaveing the cover off and aiming a fan in the case. Pretty much any old fan like a desk fan will do. If that stops the lockups then the broken fan was the problem. They are fairly cheap to replace.

SpaZwEll · Jun 15, 2004

D_D said:
I think there is a good chance it is the problem as the lockups happen during games and defrag which are both processor intensive.

Get you a fan! get a cheap one @ newegg

Ciaran · Jun 20, 2004

BMXman said:
ok I bought a new fan (6.99) and it will not come on...so I'm thinking the problem may be larger...I'm about 10 seconds away from buying a new computer...D

Freezing, no power to the fan (by the way, which fan is it? CPU fan, case fan?)... Might be your motherboard. Where in So Cal are you, and what kind of PC do you have? AMD, Pentium? I might be able to help you out with parts and such. Also, how much are you planning on speding if you buy a new PC? I can get you a Pentium 4, 2.6 ghz, 512 RAM for a good price. Send me an e-mail if your interisted. ciaran@punkduck.com

Ciaran

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Frozen all the time...

BMXman

I wish I was Canadian

Skookum

bikey's is cool

pixelninja

Turbo Monkey

Toshi

Harbinger of Doom

BMXman

I wish I was Canadian

Ciaran

Fear my banana

BMXman

I wish I was Canadian

SLAYER2003

Monkey

Toshi

Harbinger of Doom

Ciaran

Fear my banana

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D_D

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Monkey

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Monkey

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BMXman

I wish I was Canadian