Computer Freezing Issue

[Aardor]

Sounds like some sort of software issue. Do you have any semi-recent games you could play to see if they freeze? You could try running prime95 or orthos (benchmarking/testing software for you cpu/ram) and see if they freeze after a couple of hours. If they don't, it's almost certainly something with software, and as to what it would be, I have no clue.

Kilmoll's suggestion of the mainboard isn't bad, I just don't think it would be, given when your computer freezes.

Oh, and I would take his advice and get another HD. They are so cheap now ($50 for a relatively big one), it's probably worth the money to avoid the hassle of having to back everything up to CD/flash, and you can transfer at your leisure.

[Boogahz]

But when you use IE or Firefox, or open up an e-mail which may have links to websites and pictures (such as the spam you would get from 1800Flowers or similar merchants), that's when it freezes.

That make any sense to anyone?

This used to happen to me to some extent on my work PC with certain ad "programs." CNN's "new" site still locks IE up every now and then for me.

[Canoe]

Well, I was SO hoping i could say fash was right.

But he wasn't.

I went through the trouble (took me hours and hours because I hadn't done it in so long).

I backed up all my important files on a flash drive. Formatted the hard drive and reinstalled windows.

Downloaded all the updates, everything was going great!

Downloaded Firefox and IE 7 fresh.

Didn't use Firefox for 20 minutes..... and it froze again.

So it's NOT a format / software issue!

Consensus - Throw it out the back window and buy a new computer?

Let me know your thoughts!

[Aslanna]

I'm telling you I'm right, and I will be proven right as this thread continues far longer than it should.

Well, I was SO hoping i could say fash was right.

But he wasn't.

Uh oh!

[Boogahz]

I'm telling you I'm right, and I will be proven right as this thread continues far longer than it should.

Well, I was SO hoping i could say fash was right.

But he wasn't.

Uh oh!

[Kluden]

Well, the reinstall does help identify more of the area of concern. Since new drivers would be implanted for your peripherals, I would say you are back to square 1. its your ram, or its your motherboard. Not sure exactly what you did with the ram, but you could try memtest and let it run overnight.

Most likely, your powersupply zapped something on your motherboard, and it is running out of spec. Hence your intermittent freezing. So my money is on a capacitor being semi-fried or some voltage regulator somewhere on that board going haywire every so often.

Now's a good time though, computer prices a fairly low for the horsepower nowadays. If you were going to replace in a few months, what's the harm in replacing now? if its money, just finance it through Dell, or whomever.

[Boogahz]

Most likely, your powersupply zapped something on your motherboard, and it is running out of spec. Hence your intermittent freezing. So my money is on a capacitor being semi-fried or some voltage regulator somewhere on that board going haywire every so often.

This was one of the early things I was thinking of. I had something like this happen a few years ago, and it fried the CMOS battery...but it would also just not boot at times.

[Canoe]

Well, the reinstall does help identify more of the area of concern. Since new drivers would be implanted for your peripherals, I would say you are back to square 1. its your ram, or its your motherboard. Not sure exactly what you did with the ram, but you could try memtest and let it run overnight.

Most likely, your powersupply zapped something on your motherboard, and it is running out of spec. Hence your intermittent freezing. So my money is on a capacitor being semi-fried or some voltage regulator somewhere on that board going haywire every so often.

Now's a good time though, computer prices a fairly low for the horsepower nowadays. If you were going to replace in a few months, what's the harm in replacing now? if its money, just finance it through Dell, or whomever.

It's not a money issue, just my history of being cheap and wanting to get the most out of my computer!

I'll be buying a new computer today.

Thanks for all your help

[Ashur]

Tell us what you get man, sorry you couldn't resolve it. Been there, done that. I just got a new PC and I love it.

P.S. Although I hate Vista I'm too damn lazy to go to the trouble to transfer my XP Pro license from my old PC to my new one. Ironically I'm running linux on the XP machine at the moment.

[Kluden]

Yeah, definitely let us know what you PLAN on buying, we may be able to help you make some better choices to "stretch" the future lifespan of the PC out by picking on certain components or vendors to make sure you get the highest amount possible of future upgradability!

Don't fear the Vista, I've been running the x64 variant and have yet to run into any real problems...just a few games don't like it for some stuff, like sound (Bioshock), easily fixed by running it in "xp compatible" mode or something like that...and well, that's the only one I can think of right now. The vast majority run fine.

[Canoe]

This is basically what I am going to buy (from Dell again, i've had good luck, aside from the above which was after over 4 years of pretty hard use - and 3 moves).

The only change I will probably make is adding another 2 gigs of RAM, just because RAM is so cheap nowadays.

Keep in mind - I"m by no means a "gamer" anymore. Yes, I would like to pop into CIV IV or whatever from time to time, but I have no need for a $500 Video Card. I didn't think I did to bad for under $1,000.

My Components
PROCESSOR Intel Core 2 Quad Processor Q6600 (8MB L2 cache,2.4GHz,1066FSB)
OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium
MONITOR 19 inch S199WFP Widescreen Digital Flat Panel Monitor with TrueLife*
MEMORY 2GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 800MHz- 2DIMMs
HARD DRIVE 500GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache™
OPTICAL DRIVE 16X DVD+/-RW Drive
VIDEO CARD nVidia GeForce 8600GT-DDR3 256MB
PRINTER Dell AIO 926 - Includes Media Card Reader

[miir]

Looks good to me.



As for spending $500 on a video card....
I'm still a pretty big-time gamer and would never recommend a $500 card.
For $200 you can get a card that will give you well above average performance... even on killer app games like Crysis. You just have to crank down a few of your video settings.

That being said, the 8600 is a horrible card for gaming (even Civ4).

[Winnow]

VIDEO CARD nVidia GeForce 8600GT-DDR3 256MB

Go with the 8800GT (~200.00) if you want a good gaming card for a decent price.

8600 isn't a good value. Stick with nVidia though.

[Boogahz]

That 8600 is far from a "horrible card for gaming." I used the same card for a while, and I never had any issues having settings bumped up above average.

[miir]

You're right, I was thinking of the 8500.

It's still poor value for the money when compared to a 8800GT or ATI 3870 which can be had for about $75 more.

[Fairweather Pure]

The 8800 is the best card for value on the market, and has been for about 6 months.

[miir]

The 8800 is the best card for value on the market, and has been for about 6 months.

Yup.

The ATI 3870 is on par in price/performance with the 8800GT.
You can't go wrong with either of those cards.

[Kluden]

Yes, looking at the Dell Inspirons, I see that the 8600GT is the "nicest" option...so, I would just have them ship it with the integrated graphics and then go buy a 9600GT. Its the king of bang for buck right now...for around $120 ~ $130 after rebates.

The above is assuming you are buying an inspiron. If you are buying an XPS, then seeing as how the 8800GT and the HD3870 BOTH cost $250 from Dell, I would go with the 8800GT if you want it "covered" by Dell. Otherwise, if you want to save 100+ bucks, then buy it with the integrated graphics, and again go buy a 9600GT and put it in yourself.

I'm sure the folks above would agree that the 9600GT is a stupendous card for the money...its only slightly worse than the 8800GT, but still better than the 3870, and cheaper...so you can't lose there.

[Canoe]

Thanks Guys.

Yes I was buying an inspiron, so the 8600 was the best one they offered.

I'll consider buying it with the integrated graphics, and purchasing the card separately.

I also saw that upgrading from 2 to 4 gigs of ram (800mhz) was pretty expensive through dell (like $150), and I can get the additional 2 gigs from New Egg for like $45, so I'll probably go that route if I determine the 2 gigs that come with it isn't enough.

[Kluden]

Well, make sure you get the 64bit install of Vista first, because I didn't see where you got to choose that one...so I'm thinking that Dell only does 32bit installs...and then, well, some of that extra ram will be wasted.

But to give you an idea on pricing, these are the cheapest after rebates from NewEgg:

8800GT (512mb) $160 after rebate
9600GT (512mb) $120 AR
8800GS (384mb) $100 AR

HD3870 (512mb) $140 AR

The Upper Midrange is fantastically priced right now thanks to the competition!

[Boogahz]

Well, make sure you get the 64bit install of Vista first, because I didn't see where you got to choose that one...so I'm thinking that Dell only does 32bit installs...and then, well, some of that extra ram will be wasted.

Wasted RAM?

[Winnow]

Well, make sure you get the 64bit install of Vista first, because I didn't see where you got to choose that one...so I'm thinking that Dell only does 32bit installs...and then, well, some of that extra ram will be wasted.

Wasted RAM?

32bit Windows can only use about 3.5GB of RAM no matter how much you add.

[Boogahz]

Well, make sure you get the 64bit install of Vista first, because I didn't see where you got to choose that one...so I'm thinking that Dell only does 32bit installs...and then, well, some of that extra ram will be wasted.

Wasted RAM?

32bit Windows can only use about 3.5GB of RAM no matter how much you add.

Sure about that? Last I read, the 3.2-3.5GB RAM issue was a display issue only. The rest of the RAM could be used, but not all by one process. SP1 resolved the display issue.

http://support.microsoft.com/default.as ... -US;929580

[Winnow]

Sure about that? Last I read, the 3.2-3.5GB RAM issue was a display issue only. The rest of the RAM could be used, but not all by one process. SP1 resolved the display issue.

Since upgrading to Vista SP1, my 4GB displays correctly but I don't know if it's actually being used. So no, I'm not sure about it post SP1.

[Aslanna]

I heard someone talking about that and they said Microsoft simply changed it to display 4GB so people would stop complaining. Or something. However the OS isn't able to access that unless it's the 64bit version so it could say 8 and that changes nothing.

[Aardor]

This explains it pretty well:
http://www.codinghorror.com/blog/archives/000811.html

Here's one parting bit of advice: if, like me, you're planning to stick with a 32-bit operating system for the next few years, don't waste your money on 4 GB of RAM. You won't be able to use it all. Buy 3 GB instead.

[Aslanna]

This explains it pretty well:
http://www.codinghorror.com/blog/archives/000811.html

Here's one parting bit of advice: if, like me, you're planning to stick with a 32-bit operating system for the next few years, don't waste your money on 4 GB of RAM. You won't be able to use it all. Buy 3 GB instead.

I knew that going in but I still bought 4. While I can't use all 4 it's still > 3 so there's some benefit there. And secondly if I ever decide to go to the 64bit version I'll have it there. Memory is pretty cheap these days and I'm more comfortable getting matched pairs so I got 2x2.

[Winnow]

Buying 3GB sounds like a bad advice.

either 2X2GB or 4X1GB would be better.

And 32bit does take advantage of more than 3GB, just not a full 4GB. Also depends on whether your system takes advantage of hyperthreading as well.

You might also want to pop in a Live 64bit Linux OS CD or DVD which would take advantage of your full 4GB at some point.*








*Linux blows harder than Xatrei trapped in a penguin exhibit.

[Fash]

Oh well, I was wrong... I was a confident ass-hole about it, and for that I apologize. He had a more serious problem, and no one had the solution other than buying a new machine.

It is convenient though, that his data is already backed up and ready to go.

[Winnow]

BTW, I'd recommend Sabayon 64 Linux (Live DVD) distro if you want to try a full featured version of Linux with all the bells and whistles along with built in drivers for Nvidia and Ati.

http://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=sabayon

http://www.sabayonlinux.org/forum/

[Canelek]

I would go with 1066 speed RAM as opposed to the 800. May as well match up bus speeds, eh?

[Kluden]

Yeah, I wish it were true that 32bit could use whatever you put in, but I don't think its physically possible on the 32bit addressing system....I'm not smart enough to know why it has these restrictions.

And Cane, buying faster ram would be for the "next" system, since I doubt you can overclock that Dell system...their BIOS is most probably very limited for OC'ing or changing the RAM vs. FSB ratio (ie, 1066 would be 1:1, I think, but either way, ram ratio customizing is probably not a Dell bios option)

[Canelek]

Oh yeah, I didn't pay attention to the Dell reference. I think you are right about the Dell options for memory/FSB speed. They do a pretty good job on systems, but they generally strip stuff down to save cash--which makes sense as most folks who buy the pre-packaged stuff aren't going to bother with advanced tweaks.

[Kilmoll the Sexy]

Oh well, I was wrong... I was a confident ass-hole about it, and for that I apologize. He had a more serious problem, and no one had the solution other than buying a new machine.

It is convenient though, that his data is already backed up and ready to go.

Incorrect senor! I was right on the money! Never doubt big daddy when it comes to troubleshooting Dell.