Computer freezes at random. Please Help.

planter

Hi there, I've been having this freezing problem for over 1-2 months now, but it's becoming worse with each day, so I decided to post on these forums in search of any solutions.

Main Problem: Computer freezes at random, usually while playing games (about 5-10min into)...Sometimes it stays up without freezes for over an hour (very rare though).

Specs:
MotherBoard - XFX nForce 750i SLI
Video Card - XFX nVIDIA GeForce 9600 GSO
Sound Card - OnBoard Realtek HD Audio
CPU - Intel Core2 Quad Q8200 @ 2.33GHz
RAM - 4GB (2x2GB) Corsair XMS2
OS - Windows XP Pro (5.1, Build 2600)
Hard Drive - Seagate 250G (It's a really old one, been with me for over 4 years)

Current List of Things Tried:
I've been trying to tweak my computer in all ways possible but so far no luck whatsoever, here's a list of what I tried already:
1. Changed RAM, 100% positive that RAM is not causing the freeze-ups.
2. Passed the Seagate HD Diagnostic Tool with no errors.
3. Plugged my old Video Card (XFX nVIDIA GeForce 8600 GTS) but the freeze-ups persisted, so that means my current 9600 is not that issue.
4. Defragmented both partititions - still freezing up 10mins into a game.
5. Tried unplugging network cable, but that didn't solve the problem either.
6. Updated all drivers possible for all possible hardware (MoBo, Video, Audio, etc)

Other things to mention:
I installed a Temperature program to check if my system was overheating and got the folloing results:
GPU: 55 Idle | 65+ Under Load
CPU: 52 Idle | 60+ Under Load
I can't say the exact temerature Under Load because the system freezes and it's impossible to do anything except for a hard reboot.
I've checked my current Video Card shut-down temperature and it's at 127'C.

It's getting rediculous on how much time I've spend trying to figure out what the problem might be and I'm still at the point with no clues on what to do next. The last things possible that could be causing the problem would be: Hard Drive(it's really old, like 4 years), Cooling, MotherBoard(most unlikely because I just bought it 2-3 months back). Aside from that I'm out of ideas.

Any info would be highly appreciated, thanks in advance.

Skwerl

I am sorry to hear about your dilemma, i am having similar problems.

I joined this forum just to inform you that i personally believe your cpu is the problem, or possibly a fan attached to your cpu.
60degrees C is kind of high, mine personally runs around 35-40. the gpu rather is more normal.

Another thing is if you stress the cpu and it crashes, thats another sign.

First check if your CPU fan is spinning.
if it is not then replace it.

if it is follow these steps.

Remove the fan.
Check the Heat sink for Dust/debree
Clean it out, make sure it isnt too hot to touch, and use anything like a q-tip or something, just dont Zap it, touch your computer case to ground yourself so you dont fry it.

Then when it is completely clean, then replace the fan, (if it needs to be cleaned do this aswell)

That may fix your problem.

If your cpu fan reports speeds to yoru MOBO check your bios and see what it is spinning at, it may just be worn adn slow.


good luck, mine is a more random freezing and i still have to figure it out

Other checks are take out a stick of ram for a few days, see if it freezes, (test each one)

remove the graphics card, and run on the MOBO's graphics card, see if that fixes it.

Try to remove anything you can taht is not part of the main board, like sound card etc...

these are good trouble shooting tips.

There are lots of tutorials on youtube about removing things if you have never done it before.

good luck
-skwerl

sychial

It may be your PSU, Power Supply Unit. I would go and get another one to see if that resolves your problem. If not return it.

Skwerl

teehee... that always works, you could see if its full of dust, this could be the trigger.


things go bad, its never fun but it happens.