Computer Hope
Other => Other => Topic started by: armis on November 18, 2008, 05:55:27 AM
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Greetings
My problem is that the computer is randomly freezing up ( yeah, I know this topic was discussed like a million times but unless someone tells what has to be done and how to do it in my particular case, I am more or less lost ??? ), everything just stops: mouse doesn't work, keyboard doesn't, even num-lock doesn't do anything and so on, basically I have to restart it using the 'reset' button.
So I thought there was a problem with windows so I reinstalled it, formatted the particion windows was previously in and had a clean install. It seems that after that computer started freezing less frequently, however it still does and what I have noticed is that it freezes REAL quick when I try playing a computer game. Like 5min or so
It used to work fine, just started crashing like a month or two ago
I'll post a little about my PC just in case the info is needed ( it probably is but I am not really sure which ones are needed ):
AMD athlon(tm) XP 2000+ 1.67Ghz
NVidia GeForce4 MX 440 64mb
1Gb ram
Windows XP 2002 pro SP3
Any idea what I could try?
Any help greatly appreciated, thanks
Sorry, this exactly the same post as in the other thread but it's more approriate here I guess, so I'll post it here too. I'll delete the other one if need be
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You might want to go through this:
http://www.computerhope.com/forum/index.php/topic,62253.0.html
Also, download and install Speed Fan (http://www.almico.com/speedfan.php).
When you run it, post the temperatures it reads.
In addition to those two, go to Device Manager and look for any Yellow Question or Exclamation Marks.
If there are any, post what they are.
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Thanks
I have went through the steps in your "speed up your computer" thread.
Speed fan readings:
GPU: 0C ???
Temp1: 35C
Temp2: 56C there is a fire icon next to this one :o. Could this be the problem?
HDO: 37C
In the device manager I found the following yellow question marks with exclamation marks attached to them:
Other devices - multimedia controller
multimedia video controller
PCI simple communications controller
For all of these the same: " the drivers for this device are not installed. (code 28)"
What's next?
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Find your MBoard Driver CD and re-install your MBoard drivers.
If you cannot find it DLoad; install and run Everest Home and save the log as a .txt file.
Copy and paste the Computer Summary portion and post it here...and the Cavalry will be along shortly to assist.
As to the temps for now remove a side panel and see if it needs housekeeping inside there.
DO NOT use a vaccuum.
Make sure all power sources are unplugged and ground yourself by touching the metal case.
A can of compressed air works best.
Make sure to hold all fan blades in place with a Q-Tip when blowing them off.
For very stubborn dust bunnies you can use a small soft paint brush.....no liquids !
After finishing leave the side case off so you can check fan operations when you power back up.
Take your time and be careful and you should do fine.
Report back with your results...
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armis
I have a similar problem with my system and it is a problem that should NOT be ignored, especially for months.
Unexplained, random, sudden computer freeze ups are commonly attributed to an over-heating problem with one (or more) hardware items, ie: CPU, GPU, PSU or Memory, OR it could be something as simple as a virus.
First we will correct the "Other Devices" issues. To do that -
load your Mother Board installation disc into your CD/DVD rom drive,
Go to Device manager
Right Click on, for example, "Multi Media Video Controller"
Click Properties
Click on the DRIVER TAB
Click UPDATE DRIVER from the selected list
When the Hardware Update window opens CHECK "No, not this time" then next
Check "Install from a list or specific location" then next
Check "Search for the best driver in these locations" and tick the "Search removable media" then next
The wizard will find the "Drivers" needed from the installation disc and automatically install them. Follow the same instructions for ALL "Other Device" problems changing the installatin disc as required.
As for your "freeze up" problem, there are a few things that can be checked before you start to panic to much.
The first thing I would do is to remove the side of your PC, switch it on and check to make sure ALL of the fans are running, especially the CPU and GPU fans. Clean all fans as needed.
Check to see if your CPU Heat Sink and Fan are located properly or haven't somehow come loose - a known issue with Intels Q6600 Quads.
The "Temp" figures you posted don't appear too bad although I am not familiar with the operating temps of your CPU. AMD is known to run a little warmer than Intels though. The one concern is the difference in the temps from one core to the next.
First search AMD to acsertain what the standard operating temp range is for your CPU. If the temps being shown by the software you are using are within that range then there may not be a problem with heating; however, there could be an issue with one of the CORES not running properly or at all.
HINT: When doing a Temp check on your CPU, ensure that you do it under load, ie, dont just turn your system on, bring it to desktop then check your temps. You have to put load on your CPU to see exactly what it is doing and to possibly identify any problems with one of the cores.
GPU (Vid Card) - you can download 3DMARK06, which will give you a numerical read out of how your system performs, specifically your GPU and should provide information that MAY offer an indication to any GPU issues. You need to connect to the internet to see the results of your tests. If possible, run a game that allows you to bring up the FPS of that game - if you are getting "good" FPS rates at the time the computer freezes there is a fair chance that it is NOT your GPU.
Download MEMTEST and run that for at least 30 minutes with the computer at idle (doing nothing) to see if there is an issue with your RAM
Check to see if your PSU is not "cutting out" and its fan is working correctly.
Finally, what fans, how many, size (other than your CPU fan) do you have installed in what sort of case and where are they situated ie: one at the front drawing air in and one at the rear sucking air out.
None of these suggestions will fix your problem; HOWEVER, they may direct you to the problem and what needs to be done to rectify it. Bare in mind, that these suggestins are ONLY directed at a possible (and probable) heating problem.
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Thanks Patio
I think I installed everything ( which I probably didn't assuming there is a problem ) I could from the MBoard driver CD so I would better post the Everest log. Did I copy the right stuff? :-[ The rest was a bunch of numbers so I didn't copy it
Computer:
Operating System Microsoft Windows XP Professional
OS Service Pack Service Pack 3
DirectX 4.09.00.0904 (DirectX 9.0c)
Computer Name VEZLYS
User Name armis
Motherboard:
CPU Type AMD Athlon XP, 1666 MHz (12.5 x 133) 2000+
Motherboard Name ASRock K7VT4A+ (5 PCI, 1 AGP, 2 DDR DIMM, Audio, LAN)
Motherboard Chipset VIA VT8377A Apollo KT400A
System Memory 1024 MB (PC3200 DDR SDRAM)
BIOS Type AMI (07/19/04)
Communication Port Communications Port (COM1)
Communication Port ECP Printer Port (LPT1)
Display:
Video Adapter NVIDIA GeForce4 MX 440 (64 MB)
3D Accelerator nVIDIA GeForce4 MX 440
Monitor Neso FD770A [17" CRT]
Multimedia:
Audio Adapter BrookTree Bt878 Video Capture Device - Audio Section
Audio Adapter VIA AC'97 Enhanced Audio Controller
Storage:
IDE Controller VIA Bus Master IDE Controller
Floppy Drive Floppy disk drive
Disk Drive ST360015A (60 GB, 7200 RPM, Ultra-ATA/100)
Optical Drive LITE-ON LTR-48246S (48x/24x/48x CD-RW)
SMART Hard Disks Status OK
Partitions:
C: (NTFS) 20481 MB (15918 MB free)
D: (NTFS) 36750 MB (21185 MB free)
Total Size 55.9 GB (36.2 GB free)
Input:
Keyboard Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural PS/2 Keyboard
Mouse HID-compliant mouse
Network:
Network Adapter Hamachi Network Interface (5.96.251.16)
Network Adapter VIA Rhine II Fast Ethernet Adapter (192.168.1.3)
Peripherals:
USB1 Controller VIA VT83C572 PCI-USB Controller
USB1 Controller VIA VT83C572 PCI-USB Controller
USB1 Controller VIA VT83C572 PCI-USB Controller
USB2 Controller VIA USB 2.0 Enhanced Host Controller
USB Device USB Human Interface Device
--------[ DMI ]---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[ BIOS ]
BIOS Properties:
Vendor American Megatrends Inc.
Version P1.30
Release Date 07/19/2004
Size 256 KB
Boot Devices Floppy Disk, Hard Disk, CD-ROM, ATAPI ZIP, LS-120
Capabilities Flash BIOS, Shadow BIOS, Selectable Boot, EDD, BBS
Supported Standards DMI, APM, ACPI, ESCD, PnP
Expansion Capabilities ISA, PCI, AGP, USB
[ System ]
System Properties:
Product K7VT4A+
Version 1.0x
Serial Number 00000000
Wake-Up Type Power Switch
[ Motherboard ]
Motherboard Properties:
Product K7VT4A+
Version 1.0x
Serial Number 00000000
[ Chassis ]
Chassis Properties:
Version X.XX
Serial Number 00000000
Asset Tag 00000000
Chassis Type Desktop Case
Security Status None
[ Memory Controller ]
Memory Controller Properties:
Error Detection Method 32-bit ECC
Error Correction Single-bit
Supported Memory Interleave 1-Way
Current Memory Interleave 1-Way
Supported Memory Types Parity, ECC, DIMM, SDRAM
Supported Memory Voltages 3.3V
Maximum Memory Module Size 1024 MB
Memory Slots 2
[ Processors / AMD Athlon(tm) XP 2000+ ]
Processor Properties:
Manufacturer AMD
Version AMD Athlon(tm) XP 2000+
External Clock 133 MHz
Maximum Clock 3000 MHz
Current Clock 1667 MHz
Type Central Processor
Voltage 3.3 V, 2.9 V
Status Enabled
Socket Designation Socket-A
[ Caches / Internal Cache ]
Cache Properties:
Type Internal
Status Enabled
Operational Mode Write-Back
Associativity 4-way Set-Associative
Maximum Size 1024 KB
Installed Size 128 KB
Supported SRAM Type Synchronous
Current SRAM Type Synchronous
Error Correction None
Socket Designation Internal Cache
[ Caches / Internal Cache ]
Cache Properties:
Type Internal
Status Enabled
Operational Mode Write-Back
Associativity 4-way Set-Associative
Maximum Size 1024 KB
Installed Size 256 KB
Supported SRAM Type Synchronous
Current SRAM Type Synchronous
Error Correction Single-bit ECC
Socket Designation Internal Cache
[ Memory Modules / DIMM1 ]
Memory Module Properties:
Socket Designation DIMM1
Type FPM, DIMM
Installed Size 512 MB
Enabled Size 512 MB
[ Memory Modules / DIMM2 ]
Memory Module Properties:
Socket Designation DIMM2
Type FPM, DIMM
Installed Size 512 MB
Enabled Size 512 MB
[ System Slots / PCI1 ]
System Slot Properties:
Slot Designation PCI1
Type PCI
Usage Empty
Data Bus Width 32-bit
Length Long
[ System Slots / PCI2 ]
System Slot Properties:
Slot Designation PCI2
Type PCI
Usage Empty
Data Bus Width 32-bit
Length Long
[ System Slots / PCI3 ]
System Slot Properties:
Slot Designation PCI3
Type PCI
Usage Empty
Data Bus Width 32-bit
Length Long
[ System Slots / PCI4 ]
System Slot Properties:
Slot Designation PCI4
Type PCI
Usage In Use
Data Bus Width 32-bit
Length Long
[ System Slots / PCI5 ]
System Slot Properties:
Slot Designation PCI5
Type PCI
Usage In Use
Data Bus Width 32-bit
Length Long
[ Port Connectors / PS2 Keyboard ]
Port Connector Properties:
Port Type Keyboard Port
Internal Reference Designator PS2 KEYBOARD
Internal Connector Type None
External Reference Designator PS2 Keyboard
External Connector Type PS/2
[ Port Connectors / PS2 Mouse ]
Port Connector Properties:
Port Type Mouse Port
Internal Reference Designator PS2 MOUSE
Internal Connector Type None
External Reference Designator PS2 Mouse
External Connector Type PS/2
[ Port Connectors / COM Port ]
Port Connector Properties:
Port Type Serial Port 16550A Compatible
Internal Reference Designator COM
Internal Connector Type None
External Reference Designator COM Port
External Connector Type DB-9 pin male
[ Port Connectors / LPT Port ]
Port Connector Properties:
Port Type Parallel Port ECP/EPP
Internal Reference Designator LPT
Internal Connector Type None
External Reference Designator LPT Port
External Connector Type DB-25 pin female
[ Port Connectors / Rear USB 0 ]
Port Connector Properties:
Port Type USB
Internal Reference Designator USB
Internal Connector Type None
External Reference Designator Rear USB 0
External Connector Type USB
[ Port Connectors / Rear USB 1 ]
Port Connector Properties:
Port Type USB
Internal Reference Designator USB
Internal Connector Type None
External Reference Designator Rear USB 1
External Connector Type USB
[ Port Connectors / Front USB 2 ]
Port Connector Properties:
Port Type USB
Internal Reference Designator USB
Internal Connector Type None
External Reference Designator Front USB 2
External Connector Type USB
[ Port Connectors / Front USB 3 ]
Port Connector Properties:
Port Type USB
Internal Reference Designator USB
Internal Connector Type None
External Reference Designator Front USB 3
External Connector Type USB
[ Port Connectors / ETHERNET ]
Port Connector Properties:
Port Type Network Port
Internal Reference Designator ETHERNET
Internal Connector Type None
External Reference Designator ETHERNET
External Connector Type RJ-45
[ Port Connectors / LINE-OUT ]
Port Connector Properties:
Port Type Audio Port
Internal Reference Designator LINE-OUT
Internal Connector Type None
External Reference Designator LINE-OUT
External Connector Type Mini-jack (headphones)
[ Port Connectors / LINE-IN ]
Port Connector Properties:
Port Type Audio Port
Internal Reference Designator LINE-IN
Internal Connector Type None
External Reference Designator LINE-IN
External Connector Type Mini-jack (headphones)
[ Port Connectors / MICROPHONE ]
Port Connector Properties:
Port Type Audio Port
Internal Reference Designator MICROPHONE
Internal Connector Type None
External Reference Designator MICROPHONE
External Connector Type Mini-jack (headphones)
[ Port Connectors / Game Port ]
Port Connector Properties:
Port Type MIDI Port
Internal Reference Designator GAME
Internal Connector Type None
External Reference Designator Game Port
External Connector Type DB-15 pin female
--------[ Overclock ]---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPU Properties:
CPU Type AMD Athlon XP 2000+
CPU Alias Palomino
CPU Stepping A5
CPUID CPU Name AMD Athlon(tm) XP 2000+
CPUID Revision 00000662h
CPU Speed:
CPU Clock 1664.73 MHz
CPU Multiplier 12.5x
CPU FSB 133.18 MHz (original: 133 MHz)
Memory Bus 166.47 MHz
CPU Cache:
L1 Code Cache 64 KB
L1 Data Cache 64 KB
L2 Cache 256 KB (On-Die, Full-Speed)
Motherboard Properties:
Motherboard ID 62-P130-001368-00101111-040201-VIA$K7VT6130_K7VT4A+ BIOS P1.30
Motherboard Name ASRock K7VT4A+ (5 PCI, 1 AGP, 2 DDR DIMM, Audio, LAN)
Chipset Properties:
Motherboard Chipset VIA VT8377A Apollo KT400A
Memory Timings 2.5-3-3-7 (CL-RCD-RP-RAS)
Command Rate (CR) 2T
SPD Memory Modules:
DIMM1: PDP Systems PSD5124003 512 MB PC3200 DDR SDRAM (3.0-4-4-8 @ 200 MHz) (2.5-3-3-7 @ 166 MHz)
DIMM2 512 MB PC3200 DDR SDRAM (3.0-4-4-8 @ 200 MHz) (2.5-3-3-7 @ 166 MHz) (2.0-3-3-6 @ 133 MHz)
BIOS Properties:
System BIOS Date 07/19/04
Video BIOS Date 11/19/02
DMI BIOS Version P1.30
Graphics Processor Properties:
Video Adapter nVIDIA GeForce4 MX 440
GPU Code Name NV17 (AGP 4x 10DE / 0171, Rev A3)
GPU Clock 250 MHz
Memory Clock 166 MHz
--------[ Power Management ]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Power Management Properties:
Current Power Source AC Line
Battery Status No Battery
Full Battery Lifetime Unknown
Remaining Battery Lifetime Unknown
--------[ Sensor ]------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sensor Properties:
Sensor Type Winbond W83697HF (ISA 290h)
Motherboard Name ASRock 775V88 / K7S41 / K7S8XE+ / K7Upgrade-600/880 / K7VT4A / K8S8X Series
Temperatures:
Motherboard 35 °C (95 °F)
CPU 54 °C (129 °F)
Seagate ST360015A 36 °C (97 °F)
Cooling Fans:
CPU 2637 RPM
Voltage Values:
CPU Core 1.76 V
+3.3 V 3.12 V
+5 V 4.60 V
+12 V 12.35 V
+5 V Standby 4.70 V
Debug Info F FF 08 FF
Debug Info T 35 54 255
Debug Info V 6E 00 C3 AB C0 D8 E5 (01)
As for the inside, how clean does it have to be? It's seemed allright but I guess a can of compressed air wouldn't hurt ::) First time ever I heard about cleaning the inside of PC
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Thanks wombat
Oh, what a long post. I'll try to go over it and let you know
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How are the devices showing up in Device Manager now ? ?
Make sure you re-booted after installing drivers...and yes dust and heat are the enemy of electronics.
Post back with your progress.
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Wombat, thanks again
I have went through the "driver procedure" you suggested. It turns out the drivers for my "Winfast' were missing which is something that allows me to watch TV on my PC. So far so good! :) But there is still one left for which I wasn't able to find drivers on my CDs:
PCI simple communications controller
I'll try downloading;running the MEMTEST now and let you know what kind of results I got. Is there a huge difference which one I use? As I found quite a bunch of different ones. As for the over stuff I think I'll go over it once I have more time and untill then I'll leave this PC turned off
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Patio
I have attached a screenshot of how the device is showing up in the device manager. Yep, restarted. Allright, I am definetaly getting a compressed air can then
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Wombat
I ran a MEMTEST. No errors found
Now I'll try
GPU (Vid Card) - you can download 3DMARK06, which will give you a numerical read out of how your system performs, specifically your GPU and should provide information that MAY offer an indication to any GPU issues. You need to connect to the internet to see the results of your tests. If possible, run a game that allows you to bring up the FPS of that game - if you are getting "good" FPS rates at the time the computer freezes there is a fair chance that it is NOT your GPU.
Allright 3DMARK06 didn't work at all on my system so I had to use 3DMARK03, however only one of the tests worked on that one. Anyway I ran the test but frankly speaking I really didn't know what I was looking for except for another freeze, which didn't happen :) Which is kind of wierd cause my PC crashes on a lot of weaker games like Heroes of might and magic 3 pretty fast . I am downloading 3Dmark2001 now to run more tests.
Ran the 3Dmark2001 tests, all of them. Computer didn't freeze, however I wasn't really sure what I was looking for again :-\
I'll go check if it's still crashing after installing drivers. Yep, Heroes of might and magic 3 lasted like a minute or so :(
The score wasn't great
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bump
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PCI simple communications controller
This should be included in the motherboard chipset drivers...
Bumps are .75 cents.
Please send in .75 cents.
Thank You.
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Uh oh, sorry ::)
But the device manager can't find it. I let him search the CD like 5 times :(
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MBoard driver files are normally self executables...usually you just double clik them to run...
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But so many of them are executables. I could run them all but, wouldn't that hurt the system?
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Hmmmm? What are their filenames? Does the CD Autorun?
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Yes, it does. I have 2CDs
The 1st one:
I have installed everything except the LAN drivers ( because there was a red NO LAN DEVICE DETECTED ) from the autorun screen. All of these from the Mboard CD are executables:
Audio CT5880
realtek
via686
via8233
Chipset 4in1
AGP patch
EnableUSBS3XP
IDE
KM266
kt400
USB2.0
usb patch
Vt8631
Vt8365
Vt8501
vt8601
vt8605
Network Rtl8139
Via8233
other Promise 20265 ata100
ideRAID
20267 RAID
ultra100
20276 ATA133
ideRAID
USB2.0
Winbond Smart_manager
SmartIO
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Run the 4 in 1 package...it will detect your hardware and install what's neccessary.
After that you can run the VIA network one.
Re-boot after each one.
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I ran both and restarted after each one, nothing happened :(
Here are the contents of the 2nd CD:
AMr
Audio A1mu520c1
UDA038_BUILD03
UDA046_BUILD02
VIA
Display KM266
KM400
KM800
K8 PN_1_1_0_14
x_1_0_1_7
Lan 3.5
VIA
SATA 3.00b
USB20 VIA
VIA 4in1446v
4in1449v
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I have solved the missing driver problem! :) I have found the solution google'ing:
"From the device manager, right click on the PCI simple communication controller, choose properties, click on Details tab, highlight “PCI\VEN….”, and copy it by using Ctrl+C keys. Open google.com and paste the copied thing by using Ctrl+V keys. Delete everything from “&SUBSYS” to the last and search. This will give you what model the communication controller is and then you can download the driver."
Worked like a charm
Now only the freezing is left to figure out ???
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armis -
As Patio said, PCI is a MB driver and should be on that install CD. If the Driver wizard didnt find the PCI on your disc then I am lost as to where to go, other than to your MB manufacturer's website and see if you cant find the relevant PCI driver there :(
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armis -
As Patio said, PCI is a MB driver and should be on that install CD. If the Driver wizard didnt find the PCI on your disc then I am lost as to where to go, other than to your MB manufacturer's website and see if you cant find the relevant PCI driver there :(
Read the previous post :P I have found a solution :)
However my computer still freezes. I am trying to look up the temperatures now. Maby there is a relationship
EDIT: I noticed it freezes when Temp2 is at 63 degrees Celsius. What device is that?
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Today I bought a can of compressed air. After I got rid of every dust particle I could find the temperatures do seem better! :) However there still are temperature differences. Any other ideas what else could I try?
I'll go check whether it crashes or not
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