Random Freezing

[leeor_net]

I recently had a power supply burn out. After replacing it, I would get stop messages from Windows XP (no error defined).

I later replaced the motherboard and video card. The stop messages disappeared but the computer would now just simply stop functioning all together. It would hang and not do anything until I either turned off the power and turned it back on or hit the reset button.

I've also replaced the memory (this was due to a personal issue, not an attempt to fix the problem) but that had no effect.

Typically, I can run the computer just fine. The freezing happens more frequently when I use the wheel on my optical wheel mouse but can happen at any time even when I'm not doing anything.

These are the core components in my computer:

1GB PC2700 DDR RAM
AMD Athlon XP 3000+
XFX GeForce 6800 w/128 MB DDR
SOYO KT600 Ultra Platinum Mother Board

The only component listed above that I haven't replaced is the processor.

There are no conflicts with any of the hardware or software.

All the drives are working fine (HDD's and optical drives).

Is the problem with the processor? And, if it is the processor, what caused it to start hanging? Would the blown power supply have sent a surge as it blew that could have damaged the processor?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Leeor Dicker

[ColaBoy]

I have my fair share of freezes,so you're in good company. People generally tell me its more than likely due to overheating but I m beginning to think its more a driver issue,and linked to using non certified devices. Have you tried updating all your drivers,or you could try a ball mouse to see if its that.
Sorry cant be of more help,sure some clever person will sort it out soon. Good luck!

[leeor_net]

I know for a fact that it is indeed not overheating. I have had a problem with that in the past with a different computer years ago.

I'm pretty sure it's not a driver problem because everything was working perfectly fine until the PSU blew out.


Leeor Dicker

[ColaBoy]

Dont you just love PCs! :s
The only other thing I can think of is maybe your PSU isnt powerful enough. What wattage is it?

[Nessiah]

I was thinking the same thing as colaboy. Same thing happenned to me before when I replaced my burned out 350 with a 300. it wasn't until I later upgraded to a 400 when the problems stopped.

Before replacing your memory (if you choose to again), get a memory testing program (i'd get one, but don't have axx at work), and that would test the memory for you.

It is also possible you have some sort of software sucking up your resources such as a virus or spyware.

[leeor_net]

I doubt it's the PSU. I had a 400W that burned and now I have a 600W...

Leeor

[icecube]

You might try pulling the cpu fan and resilver the cpu with heat sink compound. check the rpms and temp in the bios--boot up into the bios and let it sit--and watch the temp an revs.

[Geekgirl]

Hey leeor_net

Check to make sure you are not having a problem like the mobo isn't grounded. You may be shorting out.

[PCguy]

Wow... I know that this was very nearly 10 years ago (holy crap!!!) but I thought I should follow up on this and what the solution was for anybody that may land on this page looking for solutions for random freezing.

In fact it was the PSU. It was putting out a fluctuating voltage which, naturally, would cause the computer to be unstable and freeze at any given moment. Replacing the PSU with a stable unit solved the issue completely.

[PCguy]

Better late than never.