Author Topic: Computer Randomly Locks Up (Read 5893 times)

LateralShamu · « **on:** August 09, 2011, 03:46:22 PM »

There's a computer issue that I've been having with my computer since I've purchased it, but have lived with it. It's caused mostly just a minor inconvenience, but the occasional loss of two hours of work.

My computer will randomly lock up. No ramp up in CPU usage, or RAM allocation. Just locks up. I could be playing a video game, processing video, processing audio, checking my e-mail, moving the mouse to open up a program, or doing nothing at all.

This has happened on XP, Vista, and 7, and on any hard drive I've had installed.

WINDOWS 7 ULTIMATE x64
INTEL C2 QUAD Q9450 2.66GHZ
2x 500 GB SATA II 3.0 GB 16MB 7200RPM, RAID-0 STRIPING
4G DDR2 PC6400 MEMORY
2x NVIDIA GEFORCE 8400GS 512MB PCI-E

patio · « **Reply #1 on:** August 09, 2011, 09:16:56 PM »

If it's not a heat issue...then it's 1 or the other vid cards...

geek hoodlum · « **Reply #2 on:** August 09, 2011, 09:19:23 PM »

Hi and welcome to Computer Hope!

Quote

There's a computer issue that I've been having with my computer since I've purchased it

My advise, if you buy a computer next time and having problem of it, take advantage of its warranty!

In order for someone to help you diagnose your problem, they are going to need as much information about it. Detailed is much better.

How many free space do you have in your hard drive?
Does your 2 NVIDIA video cards are in SLI setup?
What programs do you have running? What programs and/or services start up automatically?
If it is locked up, are the lights flashing? And if so, what is the sequence?
If it is locked up, have you tried the Windows Task Manager?

LateralShamu · « **Reply #3 on:** August 10, 2011, 01:21:33 AM »

@patio

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If it's not a heat issue...then it's 1 or the other vid cards...

It shouldn't be either video card, as I've upgraded both and still the same problems.

@geek hoodlum

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How many free space do you have in your hard drive?

1) This varies, and as it's a RAID, I have multiple hard drives. The computer locks up no matter which partition, which hard drive (I have three, 2 SATA striped, and 1 IDE), no matter how much hard drive space I have left.

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Does your 2 NVIDIA video cards are in SLI setup?

2) Sometimes. Sometimes not. Either way, it'll lock up at random.

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What programs do you have running? What programs and/or services start up automatically?

3) This, again, varies. I can have no software running (including start up programs), or 20 programs. Start up programs/services also vary, as I've tried it in any imaginable way.

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If it is locked up, are the lights flashing? And if so, what is the sequence?

4) The only light that may flash is the HDD light. Like normal, once it stops trying to access the HDDs, then it stops flashing. No discernible sequence.

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If it is locked up, have you tried the Windows Task Manager?

5) It's completely locked up. There is no accessing the Windows Task Manager or any other program. The keyboard, mouse, nothing responds. The ONLY thing that does respond is removing power by holding the power button. The reset button doesn't even reset.

LateralShamu · « **Reply #4 on:** August 11, 2011, 04:13:27 AM »

Also, I have a 750 W power suppy, newer than the rest of the computer.

Spoiler · « **Reply #5 on:** August 11, 2011, 02:16:37 PM »

Do you know the make of the power supply?

LateralShamu · « **Reply #6 on:** August 11, 2011, 04:26:45 PM »

Raidmax Hybrid RX-730SS - 730W, not 750W.

http://www.raidmax.com/psu/rx_730ss.html

Not sure how that'll help.

patio · « **Reply #7 on:** August 11, 2011, 08:23:38 PM »

Quote

It shouldn't be either video card, as I've upgraded both and still the same problems.

I'm still convinced it's one of the cards...

LateralShamu · « **Reply #8 on:** August 12, 2011, 03:23:20 AM »

Quote from: patio on August 11, 2011, 08:23:38 PM

I'm still convinced it's one of the cards...

You may be correct but, what is convincing you? I've tried other video cards, no dice. Still locks up. Is there some diagnostic software I haven't found to test this?

More information as to why you are convinced it's the video cards would be helpful.

LateralShamu · « **Reply #9 on:** August 13, 2011, 03:01:13 PM »

In fact, I've had it lock up while it wasn't even using the graphics card.

patio · « **Reply #10 on:** August 13, 2011, 06:40:54 PM »

Quote from: LateralShamu on August 13, 2011, 03:01:13 PM

In fact, I've had it lock up while it wasn't even using the graphics card.

Not quite sure what this means...

LateralShamu · « **Reply #11 on:** August 13, 2011, 06:56:05 PM »

Meaning that the computer locked up while the graphics cards were not in use.

patio · « **Reply #12 on:** August 13, 2011, 09:05:15 PM »

How could they not be in use ? ? Onboard vid ? ?

jason2074 · « **Reply #13 on:** August 14, 2011, 01:20:59 AM »

Have you tried booting to Safemode with or without networking? What is the result? You could also provide all protection softwares installed such as Firewall, Antivirus/Spyware/Malware, Scanner. Depending on how intensive you are using the computer, you could try using one or two RAM modules to isolate them from the issue or run memtest as an option. Another option also would be to perform a Clean Boot .

LateralShamu · « **Reply #14 on:** August 14, 2011, 04:21:53 PM »

Quote from: patio on August 13, 2011, 09:05:15 PM

How could they not be in use ? ? Onboard vid ? ?

Correct.

LateralShamu · « **Reply #15 on:** August 14, 2011, 04:23:52 PM »

Quote from: jason2074 on August 14, 2011, 01:20:59 AM

Have you tried booting to Safemode with or without networking? What is the result? You could also provide all protection softwares installed such as Firewall, Antivirus/Spyware/Malware, Scanner. Depending on how intensive you are using the computer, you could try using one or two RAM modules to isolate them from the issue or run memtest as an option. Another option also would be to perform a Clean Boot .

Yes. It worked. No lock ups that I could see.

ESET Smart Security 4

Clean boot has not helped.

jason2074 · « **Reply #16 on:** August 15, 2011, 11:06:58 PM »

ESET Smart Security 4, paid or trial version? Looking at your protection software details shows you have already an Antivirus, Firewall, Antispyware, Antispam. Do you have any other protection softwares installed/enabled that could be conflicting such as windows firewall?

LateralShamu · « **Reply #17 on:** August 16, 2011, 03:13:26 AM »

Quote from: jason2074 on August 15, 2011, 11:06:58 PM

ESET Smart Security 4, paid or trial version? Looking at your protection software details shows you have already an Antivirus, Firewall, Antispyware, Antispam. Do you have any other protection softwares installed/enabled that could be conflicting such as windows firewall?

Paid, of course. Nope, disabled Windows Firewall. No reason for anything besides ESET.

jason2074 · « **Reply #18 on:** August 16, 2011, 11:49:42 PM »

Well if its not on the software side, then you may need to isolate the hardware components installed by using one instead of 2 RAM, Video card. But if there is a real choice, I would even try removing certain programs or softwares since the issue started to occur. If you are keeping a backup installer, the better. Make sure the tower is not keeping any dust buildups and try reseatting certain components and clean the contacts. Applying a good thermal paste for the processor will also help. Random lockups could mean anything as in software or hardware.

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Author Topic: Computer Randomly Locks Up (Read 5893 times)

LateralShamu

patio

geek hoodlum

LateralShamu

LateralShamu

Spoiler

LateralShamu

patio

LateralShamu

LateralShamu

patio

LateralShamu

patio

jason2074

LateralShamu

LateralShamu

jason2074

LateralShamu

jason2074