At my wits end of this problem

[aminon]

Well here's my problem, my computer hangs up randomly. Now I don't mean bsod or crash in general, I mean a total system freeze, mouse, keyboard, monitor, etc, stops responding and they freeze in position on the screen wherever they are. This usually happens once a day, but has happened up to 3 or 4 times. When I restart the event viewer sees no errors nor does my system report an error of any kind.

System Overview
OS: XP pro 5.1 build 2600, service pack 1
Motherboard: Soyo P4VTE
Bios: 7.00T
Processor: Intel Pentium 4 3.00GHz, hyperthreaded
RAM: 1024 DDR Elixer
Direct X: 9c
Graphics Card: nVIDIA 5700LE 256mb ram, driver v. 7.1.8.9
H.D.D.: Maxtor 160GB, 5700 RPM, 8MB cache

If A HijackThis log is needed I can post one

What I have tried already

1) Changing my video driver
2) Swapping ram, using memtest 86 first - no errors found
3) Removing Norton
4) Removing Service Pack 2
5) Removing all programs not default to windows
6) System restore
7) Switching IDE cables
Adjusting the hyperthreading option, agp control, and ram control in bios, they are now at their default
9) Searched microsoft for a knowledge based article
10) Did a search in general on every forum I could find
11) Defragmented
12) Used the checkdisk (chkdsk) utility, "chkdsk /r /f" - found no bad sectors
13) Checked power, it's just fine
14) Did a virus, adware, spyware, and malware check, found nothing
15) Adjusted unnecessary options in Services in msconfig, turned them off, then reset them back to default
16) Backed up registry and made adjustments with ccleaner - great program by the way
17) Used norton win doctor to try and find any problems
18) Checked for IRQ conflict
19) Well I probably did more but I can't remember any at the moment

Also, my firefox browser has begun to lag lately as the freezes continue, it could be a seperate issue but if it helps. . .

Any help is greatly appreciated.

[Raptor]

1. Does the same behaviour occur in safe mode?
2. Is your virus scanner set to continiously scan?
3. What scanners have you used?

Test your Hard Disk Drive using diagnostic software which can be obtainded from the manufacturer.

[merlin_2]

 Download sisoft sandra/or aida32 and run diagnostics..........it may be heat related

[Aminon]

1) Safe mode I haven't tried, that'll probably be next
2) Yes I have a continuous Norton Scan for viruses and worms, version 2005 system works
3) I use ad-aware, spybot, spyware blaster, norton antivirus. When I removed Norton I switched to AVG Antivirus but it to found nothing.

[Raptor]

1) Safe mode I haven't tried, that'll probably be next
2) Yes I have a continuous Norton Scan for viruses and worms, version 2005 system works
3) I use ad-aware, spybot, spyware blaster, norton antivirus. When I removed Norton I switched to AVG Antivirus but it to found nothing.

2. Try shutting down ALL scanners and see if the stuttering dissapears.

[aminon]

Well when I had norton removed effectively I had no continuous scanner, and that's what you want to check right? To make sure some bho or background service isn't doing me harm? I think it would be unwise to leave myself without a shield.

Also using aida32 my +12v is only reaching +7.5 at max. Is my power supply failing? Currently my cpu is 42C and my motherboard is 32C.

That sandra soft didn't really give what I needed. But good appz none the less.

[merlin_2]

Graphics drivers!

[aminon]

I have removed my graphics driver and have tried 4 others, problem still occurs. But is my power supply failing?

[2k dummy]

If your 12V rail is at only 7.5V you have a serious problem. All rails should read +\- 5%. You could have other problems but this one should certainly be the first on your list.

[aminon]

Well i'm going to grab another power supply and try and fix this. But please! keep this thread going, god only knows i've tried just about everything to fix this problem, so all continuing input is appreciated.

[aminon]

+12v has stabillized at about +11.2, is that within acceptable range?

[2 k dummy]

Still a bit low. Minimum should be 11.4
You can now try disconnecting some of the 12V peripherals and see if it comes up higher. In either event, you probably need a PSU that will provide better voltages. If you should be decide to buy a new, the best advise I can give is: Don't be a cheapskate. invest your money in a high quality PSU. (Your wallet might have to be your guide but there are some good quality PSU that don't cost a fortune.)

[aminon]

Well i'm all for it. A new power supply is what i'm out to buy.

[Raptor]

Also using aida32 my +12v is only reaching +7.5 at max. Is my power supply failing?

What brand of Power Supply do you have installed?

You should:

• Be prepared to spend more than $ 50 on a Power Supply Unit
  
• It is not too light. A 500 Watts weighting only 1 kilogram may not be as durable as a 300 Watts weighing over 1.5 kilogram
  
• Buy a well known brand name PSU that has 400 Watts of true power or more.
  

[aminon]

I bought a SY-PS400 from soyo, average price 60$, on sale for 30$ . Looks to be of good quality, 400 Watts and even comes with a slot for measuring the 3.3 and 5 volt charge. Weight, i'm not too sure, it seems strong enough.

To believe it was my power supply of all things, hopefully. I sure don't want it to keep freezing after this.

Well thanks for all your help, it was needed.