Is it a hardware issue?

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Hi,

Some of you may remember i looked at a XP machine for someone that was randomly locking up. It was normally when the machine was idle and could be on the screen saver (although the flag would still be flying around) or doing something. You had to re-start the machine as there was no other way.

I did the following:

defrag
ran sfc/scannow
no spyware/virus'
all the latest drivers and all digitally approved
not much hardware but all on the HCL list
tried removing usb stuff one by one but couldn't see that anything was causing it
When the pc restarted it didn't cause a "send error to MS" and normally no errors reported in event viewer either.

Just got a call to say it did it again this morning!

 

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How much RAM does this machine have?

Just wondering if it is running out of memory?

Also, what are the power settings set to?

 

You could spend ages troubleshooting this.
Best thing to do is a full format/reinstall.
If that fails then blame hardware. If you have spare parts then replace them one by one untill things start to become stable.
Start by ruling out any heat issues, dust, CPU etc.
Then replace one componant at a time, cpu, RAM and finally the motherboard.

There really isnt any quick or easy methods to fix these things.

Neall

 

Hi Si,

 

Do what Neill says then (If you can).

 

Neall,

Thanks for the advice matey.
I had a feeling it might be hardware related as i showed the owner the Live ubuntu CD. When it went into the wonderful screensaver it "locked up". I then thought it must be either the BIOS, motherboard or memory.

 

Agreed about h/w here. How is the 1Gb RAM physically configured - by which I mean 1. 2 or 3 sticks ? If more than one, remove them all, then boot with each installed only, in turn - if you hit stability then there's your answer.

 

Hmm... sounds like it could be overheating. Check theres not a ton of dust in there. Then check the CPU. Remove, clean, and reapply a pad to the heatsink or just stick some thermal paste on for the mo. Whatever you have handy

You might be able to check the temp of the cpu in the bios or just open the case up and put your hand on the heatsink, if you get burnt then its overheating

If that dont work, then i'd replace the sticks of RAM next.

Let me know how you get on.

Neall

 

Gav,

2 x 512 Sticks.

Good idea to run with just one stick and then the other. Are the software memory testers not all that cop then?
I suppose as the memory is OK most of the time, means they pass!

 

Hmm... sounds like it could be overheating. Check theres not a ton of dust in there. Then check the CPU. Remove, clean, and reapply either a pad to the heatsink or just stick some thermal paste on for the mo. Whatever you have handy

You might be able to check the temp of the cpu in the bios or just open the case up and put your hand on the heatsink, if you get burnt then its overheating

If that dont work, then i'd replace the sticks of RAM next.

Let me know how you get on.

Neall

Oops - Sorry for the repost, not quite sure what happened tbh

 

Neall,

Thanks for the advice matey. The Pc in question has a display of CPU and case temp in the front- The user says neither has gone over 39-40. Having said that it has locked up on a cold boot first thing in the morning where it is "stone cold".
I think i might remove a stick of RAM and see what happens. When i used Belark to see what was what on there before i noticed slots 2 and 4 where empty. I might use slots 1 and 2 in case of a bad slot.

 

Sounds like a plan m8

Keep us posted.

Neall