Computer Hope

Hardware => Hardware => Topic started by: SuperDave on April 01, 2023, 06:22:23 PM

Title: Computer freezing
Post by: SuperDave on April 01, 2023, 06:22:23 PM
My Windows 8 started freezing since the last few days. I've already checked the hard drive with hard disk sentinel and everything there appears to be okay. Is there anything else I can check such as the RAM? Task Manager shows nothing taking up a lot of usage. Any other ideas?
Title: Re: Computer freezing
Post by: patio on April 01, 2023, 07:24:56 PM
Use MemTest for the RAM...best to test 1 stik at a tine...
Title: Re: Computer freezing
Post by: Allan on April 02, 2023, 04:35:51 AM
Also, does it freeze when you are doing anything in particular or is it at random times? If it happens frequently, after checking the ram boot to safe mode and see if it happens there too.
Title: Re: Computer freezing
Post by: SuperDave on April 02, 2023, 08:30:22 PM
I've checked the hard drive and it's still good. I spent about 4 hrs. checking the RAM and they all tested good. The test also showed the CPU running at 54 deg C. The computer works well and then suddenly everything starts to slow down to a crawl. I start getting "program not responding" but Task manager doesn't show anything out of the ordinary.
Title: Re: Computer freezing
Post by: SuperDave on April 02, 2023, 08:58:46 PM
I have Speedfan running and it shows fan # 2 not running and the temp. is 127 C
Title: Re: Computer freezing
Post by: SuperDave on April 04, 2023, 06:37:42 PM
I installed new thermal paste on the CPU but something is still heating and the computer is still lagging. Can someone please explain the numbers highlighted in the screenshot task mgr?
Title: Re: Computer freezing
Post by: SuperDave on April 05, 2023, 05:35:23 PM
I think I figured out what is causing the freezing. When the disk in Task Manager spikes at 100% then it freezes. I've run sfc and chkdsk but it doesn't make any difference. I've save all my data to DVD's and will try running my back-up.
Title: Re: Computer freezing
Post by: Allan on April 06, 2023, 05:23:46 AM
1) Okay, hope it works for you - but you never answered my questions above.
2) Also, when you say you "ran chkdsk", did you run it with the recovery switch (chkdsk /r)?
Title: Re: Computer freezing
Post by: SuperDave on April 07, 2023, 10:19:42 AM
Sorry Allan. It freezes randomly when the disk spikes at 100%. I ran chkdsk /f /r. Also ran sfc /scannow with no luck I tried stopping certain services to eliminate the spiking. I finally decided that it was the hard drive which was only operating at 56% healthy. I took it to the shop Thursday because I want remove XP (dual boot) keep 8.1 and add W10. I also want to install a SSD and more RAM. They will call me next week. Apparently, this spiking problem is very prevalent with Windows 10 and 11. I also changed the thermal paste on the CPU but it stills heating to 127 C.
Title: Re: Computer freezing
Post by: Allan on April 07, 2023, 12:39:52 PM
No problem my friend. Sorry you had to go 3rd party :(

FYI - moving forward, chksdk /r is all you need - no additional switches required (/r assume /f). And it would have been good to know if the problem recurred in safe mode. Also, in my experience the biggest service culprit is Windows Search, which I always disable (I use search everything which is, IMO, the best  search app available for Windows - and it's free!!!) - https://www.voidtools.com/