Computer locks up randomly.

[JoPh]

Im running XP, amd 1.3 512 sdram and geforce 2 ultra.

my computer just likes to freeze up randomly. i dont have to be doiing anything. can happen 2 days or 2 weeks. i was just browseing the web and boom. or just playing winamp and boom.

i just formated my computer to see if that would fix it and it still does it.

any ideas?

 

[CTho9305]

http://www.memtest86.com - burn the ISO image to CD (ask if you don't know how to properly burn an ISO). If you pass this, do some prime95 torture testing. If you pass that, maybe somebody else can help 😉.

 

[JustMike]

My initial guess would be the power supply. I used to get random lockups on my T-Bird 1.2 until I got a decent power supply.

 

[JoPh]

i ran the memtest. it was going for like 5 hours and it passed 6 things. then i cancled it. how long is it suppose to take?

 

[JoPh]

it doesnt seem that my computer is overheating at all. everything sounds and seems to be working fine. i dunno. its really annoying. this just started happening in the past 2 months or so

 

[SpeedFreak03]

I would say its your HSF. I had the same problem with my 1.3 AMD, and it turned out that it was the fan dying. I bought a cheapo CompUSA HSF rated for AthlonXP 2100, and I havent had a problem. Also could be PSU though.

 

[CTho9305]

Originally posted by: JoPh
i ran the memtest. it was going for like 5 hours and it passed 6 things. then i cancled it. how long is it suppose to take?

You just have to do 1 complete pass (there are ~11 tests per pass). My machine takes ~20 minutes. After 5 hours, I'd be satisfied that my ram wasn't the problem 😉.

 

[AnonymouseUser]

I suggest running 10 or more tests (just leave it up overnight or all day). I ran MemTest on one comp for about 7 or 8 passes before I had a *few* errors. The RAM was the culprit (Crucial, no less). Replaced RAM and all is well.

In another comp the mobo was the culprit. Replaced mobo and all is well.

 

[JoPh]

Originally posted by: SpeedFreak03
I would say its your HSF. I had the same problem with my 1.3 AMD, and it turned out that it was the fan dying. I bought a cheapo CompUSA HSF rated for AthlonXP 2100, and I havent had a problem. Also could be PSU though.

how do u know if a PSU is shot?

HSF is a heat sink fan right? ill have to look into that. maybe ill go buy a new one. wouldnt hurt to replace it.

 

[SpeedFreak03]

having a bad PSU can cause instability problems. The only way to tell is to buy another PSU and see if it fixes the problem. HSF does stand for heat sink fan.