freezes after a while!

[lufiron]

Hey guys - I have a dell inspiron 530 desktop, core2 duo, running xp pro. after a while (maybe an hour or two, usually happens when im on firefox/internet, but still trying to figure it out) windows (including all other apps) will freeze up entirely, except that the mouse will still move. then after five minutes, no more mouse movement. I dont think its the memory, i've swapped in different memory modules. i can't quite figure it out. next thing im going to try is to swap out the wireless wifi adapter, issues could be caused by that driver. ideas?

 

[pete1229]

Okay the first thing you have too keep in mind it's a DELL! Therefore, you are destined for a lifetime of headaches for as long as you own it. What you describe may be an overheating problem, try opening the case and removing any dust accumulations on the case fan and in the heat sink. Also consider re-installing XP pro, I know from experience doing that every couple of years always seemed to help and finally seriously consider an upgrade to Windows 7. You probably did not receive a system disk (another problem with off the shelf purchases) so a fresh install of the O/S may be a moot point altogether.

 

[Brainonska511]

Okay the first thing you have too keep in mind it's a DELL! Therefore, you are destined for a lifetime of headaches for as long as you own it.

Give me a break. OEM computers are just fine for the average person, and home-built machines can also develop the same problems.

1) Open the case, use some compressed air to blow dust off of any heatsinks and fans.
2) Check the Windows Event Viewer to make sure it isn't a software/driver problem.

Have you added any hardware or software recently or did this just happen out of the blue?

If neither 1 or 2 is satisfactory in fixing/identifying the problem, come back and we can suggest further diagnostic tools.

 

[pete1229]

"Give me a break. OEM computers are just fine for the average person, and home-built machines can also develop the same problems."

Not really, most people who build their own systems are far more likely to do routine maintenance on them then those who buy oem's with all the warnings about voiding warranties if you open the case etc.. Plus all the bloatware crap crammed onto the hdds slow them down to a crawl over time. Dells suck as do HP's, you know it, I know it and 99% of the members on this forum will agree, you cannot compare a self built rig to a POS from one of those manufacturers.

 

[Brainonska511]

"Give me a break. OEM computers are just fine for the average person, and home-built machines can also develop the same problems."

Not really, most people who build their own systems are far more likely to do routine maintenance on them then those who buy oem's with all the warnings about voiding warranties if you open the case etc.. Plus all the bloatware crap crammed onto the hdds slow them down to a crawl over time. Dells suck as do HP's, you know it, I know it and 99% of the members on this forum will agree, you cannot compare a self built rig to a POS from one of those manufacturers.

That perspective may appear true, but not everyone has the knowledge or the time to build their own machines. As someone else said to me in another thread - to us, it seems really easy, but to someone else, it's really foreign territory to them. From a hardware perspective, Dells/HPs/Acers... are all fine. If you're just complaining about 'bloatware', that's a fairly easy fix: uninstallation of unwanted programs.

 

[denis280]

That perspective may appear true, but not everyone has the knowledge or the time to build their own machines. As someone else said to me in another thread - to us, it seems really easy, but to someone else, it's really foreign territory to them. From a hardware perspective, Dells/HPs/Acers... are all fine. If you're just complaining about 'bloatware', that's a fairly easy fix: uninstallation of unwanted programs.

Maybe the HDD is starting to give warning.

 

[skipsneeky2]

Love how this guy wants help with his rig and no one is over the fact its a dell.

Big deal if its a dell if you know how to take care of your system they aren't bad at all.

Not everyone is blessed with the know how of building.

On the note of the Op i find removing all add in cards is a good start.
If the problem goes away add each one back in and see if it comes back

 

[THRiLL KiLL]

sounds like it may be heat related.

When was the last time you dusted out the inside of your system?


as for the dell debate. In the past ( p3 days) dell / hp / compaqs had a high failure rate, they used bad / under-powered powersupplies.

Things have changed alot, and mostly these days you will replace them before a system dies.