My computer freezes sometimes. Please Help

[Goopster]

I have Dell dimension 4550 with XP professional. Sometimes while i am working on it just freezes and control+alt+delete does not work either. I end up unplugging it and plugging it back on. Is it safe to do this. Why does it freeze, how can i fix it.

 

[SpeedFreak03]

It's probably overheating. One of your fans might be dying. Its a desktop PC right (not a laptop)? About unplugging it, can you hold the power button for 4 seconds? That should shut it off also. If it's still under warrenty (I *think* you get 3 years), I would give dell a call.

 

[crisp82]

Powering down this way can kill the hard drive and any chance at a repair if it is a Dell. As advised above, hold down the power button to turn the pc off. Also, what are you doing when it freezes, how long do you wait before rebooting and when did it start happening?

 

[Goopster]

When it freezes i am unplugging it after a 2-3 minutes. It started happening about 2 weeks ago and it has happened about twice or thrice may be. I plug it right back in.

Originally posted by: crisp82
Powering down this way can kill the hard drive and any chance at a repair if it is a Dell. As advised above, hold down the power button to turn the pc off. Also, what are you doing when it freezes, how long do you wait before rebooting and when did it start happening?

 

[shimsham]

pop the side of the case off, and see if it still does it. if not, probably a heat issue. is it very warm in the room its located? i had an emachines that would freeze up like that in a HOT room, and when i took the side off, it would stop.

 

[Goopster]

Two weeks ago i put it in a computer cart which has just enough room for the cpu. Heat might be the reason i will try to put it in open. It did not freeze before that. Since i had this unit in open. One day i was burning a DVD and drive kept on moving and won't stop so i had to unplug it, may be it was overheated.

Originally posted by: shimsham
pop the side of the case off, and see if it still does it. if not, probably a heat issue. is it very warm in the room its located? i had an emachines that would freeze up like that in a HOT room, and when i took the side off, it would stop.

 

[crisp82]

sounds like you've nailed the problem. Leave the pc out in the open and perform whatever it was that was making it reboot before (burning a DVD etc) and see if it still does it. If not, thats your culprit