Computer Keeps crashing Need help finding out why

[alanwest09872]

I have been trying to find a log to find out why the computer keeps crashing. And I have yet to find a reason why.

I have run spyware and antivirus software and havent found anything bad.

So what is my next step.

It typically crashes when my daughter is playing a game. But it has crashed during internet surfing.

My temps sit between 45-50 for cps and 55 for gpu idol
(right now they are between 38 and 44)

So what is my next step what do I do next.

 

[Ketchup]

Knowing what hardware you have may help.
How old is the computer?
Did it run fine for a while, or has it always been crashing?
What kinds of devices are attached to the computer (USB, etc)?
If it just started one day, did any hardware or software change occur around that time?

 

[fjmeat]

does it flash a blue screen before crashing? does it just freeze to the point where you have to manually hold down the power button to turn it off?

 

[alanwest09872]

Im sorry it just freezes.

This one has

gtx470 evga
q6600
4gb ram
asus pro turbo motherboard 600watt powersupply corsair

It just started freezing one day. no bsod

 

[alanwest09872]

Its run fine for a long ass time

It has windows 7 64bit installed.

 

[Jaydip]

So it is running fine now?

 

[Steltek]

Its run fine for a long ass time

It has windows 7 64bit installed.

First, how long has it been since you opened the case up and blew out all the dust?

Even when run in what seems to be the cleanest environment, the fans and heatsinks in computers tend to collect dust like crazy over time. And, dust + fans/heatsinks in computers = heat issues which usually leads to (among other things) freezes.

If your video card has a plastic shroud over the fans, make sure to check that closely as well as they tend to get stopped up with dust.

Finally, don't forget to blow out the power supply.

 

[alanwest09872]

I already dusted it out 2-3 weeks ago. and the problem started this week.

I even reapplied thermal pase to the gtx 470 do to high temps

 

[alanwest09872]

Sorry ment to say before It ran fine for a long ass time. It no longer is running well.

 

[KeithP]

Create a Linux Live CD, boot and run from that long enough to determine the hardware is running okay. If you do indeed have no issues under Linux, then at least you know it is a software problem.

-KeithP

 

[Steltek]

Create a Linux Live CD, boot and run from that long enough to determine the hardware is running okay. If you do indeed have no issues under Linux, then at least you know it is a software problem.

-KeithP

This is a good suggestion, as it would allow you to eliminate Windows as the source of the problem.

Then, if it kept crashing, I'd swap out the video card and power supply in that order due to the fact that you previously had high temps on the GPU. If you haven't already done so, another thing you can do is run a session of MEMTEST86+ to check for a bad memory module.

 

[frozentundra123456]

This is a good suggestion, as it would allow you to eliminate Windows as the source of the problem.

Then, if it kept crashing, I'd swap out the video card and power supply in that order due to the fact that you previously had high temps on the GPU. If you haven't already done so, another thing you can do is run a session of MEMTEST86+ to check for a bad memory module.

If it runs fine with Linux, could that not also mean the hard drive is failing and windows is corrupted by bad sectors? If it freezes, does it reboot normally? In my experience, a failing hard drive usually shows problems when booting because windows can't find all the files correctly. You could run HDD health or a utility from your hard drive maker to check it. I agree with steltek too however, it could be any of the things he said.

 

[denis280]

Create a Linux Live CD, boot and run from that long enough to determine the hardware is running okay. If you do indeed have no issues under Linux, then at least you know it is a software problem.

-KeithP

+1 on this.and if that don't work i would start checking the hdd for errors.

 

[alanwest09872]

Ok I can create a linux live cd that should be easy enough. How do I tell after I installed linux that something is wrong with windows. Is it I just run it for a bit and see if it crashes?

I can also run the HDD health

 

[AnonymouseUser]

Ok I can create a linux live cd that should be easy enough. How do I tell after I installed linux that something is wrong with windows. Is it I just run it for a bit and see if it crashes?

You just do what you were doing in Windows to see if it crashes. Surf the net, watch some videos, listen to some music, and/or play some 3D game/s (eg, Tux Racer, Warsow)that is included or easily installed.

 

[alanwest09872]

well the computer usually crashes during sims 3 and zoo tycoon 2 (my daughters games)

 

[denis280]

well the computer usually crashes during sims 3 and zoo tycoon 2 (my daughters games)

in that case.i would suspect the gpu.

 

[alanwest09872]

I have gone through so many gpus
3 gtx 280
1 gtx 470
1 8800
in the last4-5 years. With different motherboards

 

[Virgorising]

Despite cavalier people who diss capriciously without knowing the reality:thumbsdown:, one of the INFINITE REASONS I love my workhorse, beautifully engineered, big Optiplexes: you can run in depth diagnostics from the bios. And, I mean, for EVERYTHING. Short one, long one......it rocks.:biggrin:

Jus sayin. And I agree, would yield good info if you ran as many diagnostics as possible on the system in question.
________________________________________________
Edit: I like to do the simplest things first. In the event you suspect the drive is going, I would first get SpeedFan (free): http://www.filehippo.com/download_speedfan/

Get it, run it and choose SMART tab and then online diagnostics of the drive in question. It gives immediate, precious info!!!

 

[QuietDad]

You can got to Start\Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Administrative Tools\Event Viewer and check the windows logs to see if anything is complaining.

 

[softwarehennie]

try updating the gpu drivers, use avast antivirus it has great tools to make your pc faster and back up your files and reinstall windows