Problems with OS freezing

Rhadge

Junior Member
Jul 27, 2008
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I have built a new computer, that's about two weeks old.
Maybe I didn't notice it before, but at least now I have the problem of the computer freezing up sometimes.

Sometimes when I do stuff, like unraring a file and then opening notepad, the HDD starts to really work. You can hear it very loudly, a typical "writing"-sound, but very intensive as if the HDD has it's hands full with a very intensive task. And the system freezes and notepad doesn't open until the unraring is done. Then everything works as normal.

After repeating the same thing, the problem doesn't happen again. But sooner or later it strikes at some other time.
It's also happened when I've, for example, downloaded something through torrent at a high speed and then opened up the web browser. Some lock-ups have been permanent also, forcing me to restart the computer.

But I'm having trouble determining if the problem is related to doing multiple things simultaneously or not. I have a memory of some lock-up that happened even when I didn't do anything actively.

I have tested the HDD with Seatools about 4 hours ago, and there was no error at all.
Neither from Scandisk.


I am thinking: software conflict, faulty IDE-cable (it's quite bent and twisted), device conflict, bad motherboard, bad RAM or bad installation media (I installed XP from a burnt cd that's not in mint condition).
What's your opinion?
 

KGB

Diamond Member
May 11, 2000
3,042
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Rhadge,

Welcome to the Forums! :beer:

Please post back with your system configuration.
Are you getting anything logged into Event Viewer?
Have you tested your RAM?
 

Rhadge

Junior Member
Jul 27, 2008
5
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Thanks for the welcome.

System configuration:
Motherboard - MSI P43 NEO-F P43 (775 socket)
CPU - Intel Pentium® Dual-Core E2200 2.2GHz,
Memory - Corsair TWIN2X 6400 DDR2, 2048MB CL5
PSU - Corsair HX Powersupply
HDD - Seagate Barracuda 500 GB

Actually, I don't know what Event Viewer is.
I have tested my RAM for about 4 hours, not an extensive test yet.
 

Rhadge

Junior Member
Jul 27, 2008
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Sorry about Event Viewer, of course I know what it is. :p

I noticed one process "Scanning Process", and there were two instances of it.
Could have been related to ZoneAlarm maybe, but the problem came once even when I had ZoneAlarm shut down.
 

Rhadge

Junior Member
Jul 27, 2008
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Guys, I noticed something in Event Viewer now when the computer started acting with the usual problem.
I have several instances of some applications.

5 svchost.exe, 2 scanningprocess.exe, 3 msiexec.exe for example. Couldn't find any more duplicates though.
Is it supposed to be like that?
 

jordanpr

Member
Jun 8, 2006
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I've had an svchost.exe virus before, where a very smiliar thing happened with my computer. There were many duplicates of it running, and taking up a large percentage of processing power.

I needed to reformat to get rid of it. Since you've gotten recently I'd probably recommend that, and if that doesn't fix the problem, ask someone smarter than I! :D
 

Rhadge

Junior Member
Jul 27, 2008
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I checked the net, and multiple svchost.exe, msiexec.exe or scanningprocess.exe are perfectly normal apparently. So it's not that at least.

ANY IDEAS? I have also tested my ram more in-depth, no problems there.