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  1. #1
    Bitter Old Fart Dribble Joy's Avatar
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    Default [OT] Computer dying

    For the last few days my comp has been acting rather oddly.

    After a while, it simply freezes up. Sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly.

    The effect is somewhat like it's running out of memory. Programs slow down and it grinds to a halt. The mouse still works though.

    I've run a defrag and a virus check in Safe Mode, but it's still happening.

    A restart and everything's fine again for about 30 mins, then it freezes again.

    Hardware problem? It's as if it can't flush the RAM and locks up when there's no more memory available.

  2. #2
    Hand me a gun and ask me again zii's Avatar
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    Default

    Its a bit vague.

    If RAM is suspected then you might run memtest for 24 hours and see what it reports. You could reinstall, or use a live CD, and see if you can reproduce similar conditions ; Remember to copy the install Live CD into the RAM.

  3. #3
    Slaving over Sony Vegas CMaster's Avatar
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    Default

    Open up case, remove any dust that might be blocking fans.

    Download a memory tester and run that (although that's more likely to result in blue screens)

    Reseat the memory (pop out and in again)

    Use task manager to watch if any processes are hoovering up memory or processor power.

  4. #4
    Tech Haven Network Brammers's Avatar
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    Default

    Give us a few spec's and the OS.

    It does almost sound like a overheating issue. Most CPU's can handle overheating problems better, the older CPU's don't so well.

    However I recently had issues with lock ups when my main HD wasn't well. Check your event logs, and look for any signs of your hard disk starting to fail.

  5. #5
    Registered User Bozz-Von Mel's Avatar
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    IF all else fails buy a new one.
    I bring nothing to the table.

  6. #6
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    Dear Mr. Dribble
    Is your bus/cache um srry Rom flush,.....
    Specs available ?

  7. #7

    Default

    when u can immediately restart, its usually not overheating, but when u reboot, u could check your bios for the cpu temperature.

    sisandra has a good testing suite, can check for most problems.
    ingame names: Biglines (dissy spy), Mr Tool (low tech tank), Engineer Tool (constructor), Medical Tool (ppu/hacker/poker), Father Tool (apu)

  8. #8
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    Backup everything erase the hardrive reinstall windows >.> ?

  9. #9

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by LiL T
    Backup everything erase the hardrive reinstall windows >.> ?
    this doesn't help against any hardware related problems
    ingame names: Biglines (dissy spy), Mr Tool (low tech tank), Engineer Tool (constructor), Medical Tool (ppu/hacker/poker), Father Tool (apu)

  10. #10
    Loving Titan L0KI's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Biglines
    this doesn't help against any hardware related problems
    Who says it's definitely a hardware problem???

    It sounds 50/50 to me!

    No blue screens?

    Sounds exactly like Windows is ready for a clean re-install. Plus, that's a totally free first step to take, before splashing out on new hardware

  11. #11

    Default

    actually, backing up and reinstalling when hardware is glitchy means you can get data corruption in your backups (specially if it's ram or hdd controller glitching).

    so like before, I'd run the sisandra hardware tests first before deciding to reinstall. Of course if there are no hardware problems, reinstalling is the best way to get rid of any problems, but my guess is you actually have some data you would like to preserve.

    (And yes, those problems he described happened to my old laptop right before they had to replace the motherboard because of a broken hdd controller which was introducing very very small errors in the things being loaded and then written)
    Last edited by Biglines; 14-02-11 at 14:15. Reason: typo
    ingame names: Biglines (dissy spy), Mr Tool (low tech tank), Engineer Tool (constructor), Medical Tool (ppu/hacker/poker), Father Tool (apu)

  12. #12
    Loving Titan L0KI's Avatar
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    I'm just saying that at this stage of diagnosis, it's too early to say it's a specific hardware problem.

    My first question would have been:

    What OS are you running?

    Followed by....

    When was your last clean install?

    Yes, the symptoms could also easily point to hardware, but they could also just as easily point to software.

  13. #13
    DarK fo life bitchs! Genji's Avatar
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    herpies
    GENJI 4 PRESIDENT 2012 2016

  14. #14

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by L0KI
    Yes, the symptoms could also easily point to hardware, but they could also just as easily point to software.
    oh i totally agree that it can be software problems, its just that in a situation where it is possible that its a hardware problem, its better to find out first because it can lead to data corruption of important files, while still keeping open the solution to most software problems, a clean wipe and re-install
    ingame names: Biglines (dissy spy), Mr Tool (low tech tank), Engineer Tool (constructor), Medical Tool (ppu/hacker/poker), Father Tool (apu)

  15. #15
    Loving Titan L0KI's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Genji
    herpies
    Nice.

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