Need you guys Professional advice!!!

[stockjock]

On sunday I left my computer on when I had to go out for about 7 hours, when I returned the screen was locked up. I couldn't even "ctrl alt del" out of it, so I hit the old reset switch and the computer came back up after scandisk did its thing...BTW I have left the computer on before for more than 7 hours without any problems like this...Ever since the lockup last Sunday the computer locks after a very short period of use...I even loaded up a new OS on a brand new HD and it still locks after a short time period...I'm using a 300w PS..do you think its going bad..I have a ton of stuff connected to it...3 hds, 2 cds, 2 case fans, 1 slot fan, 1 HD cooling fan, an Alpha P7125 with 2 sunon fans.
I'm thinking power supply..but can you think of anything else..
Appreciate any help..

 

[okydoky]

Try clocking down the processor. And the question I ask everybody, do you have appropriate surge suppression and a battery backup? The things are most of the time a definate necessity when leaving a machine running. Good luck...

 

[stockjock]

I forgot to tell everyone..I am clocked back down...for some reason WinME won't allow me to overclock...I think I have good surge protection although I don't have an APC

 

[Cnuke]

To me as well, it seems like a processor issue. Do you happen to have an extra to put in for a couple of days to see?

 

[stockjock]

no..do you have an extra I can borrow...LOL!!

 

[okydoky]

My UPS has saved my butt several times. But I think the first thing I would start off with is the processor. A local shop should be happy to test it for you...

 

[FordLorider]

Maybe your heatsink was thrown out of place. It could have moved or something.

 

[stockjock]

not a chance..have you ever seen an Alpha attached to a classic athlon...its bolted to the damn thing....LOL

 

[LordSandMan]

I think I would start with software first, before I go replacing hardware. Have you run Scandisk and system file checker? To run system file checker go to command prompt and type
sfc /scannow

Also try scanning for virii.

I also assume you have all of the windows updates installed.

just a thought. It's easier than ripping into hardware right away.

 

[stockjock]

update...last nite I did some reconfiguring in the computer...first I pulled some unneeded items out..like a zip drive..got a burner who needs a zip drive...unplugged on of the HDs, the little one that has only 3 files on it...reseated the CPU and vid card...
I thought I'd play a game to see if would lock...30 seconds into the game..LOCKUP...So I decided what the heck..lets try and clock it back up to 850..and waaaa laaaa...it hasn't crashed since I overclocked back up...go figure because I can't...

 

[Zach]

Usually reseating stuff does help for reandom crap... if you have SCSI switching ID's and connections can help too, I was remonded of that yesterday...