What makes a system lock up?

[theplanb]

I know there can be a lot of reasons, and some a combination..
But what is the "common" reason that a PC locks up?
Are cheaper parts cause more system lock ups than expensive parts?
And. how do you define a "stable system"?

 

[Dreadogg]

A stable user !!!

 

[theplanb]

can you be little bit more specific?

 

[Oyeve]

Microsoft makes my PC lock up.

 

[SuperSix]

One major reason is two programs trying to occupy the same memory space/address.

 

[ugh]

IRQ conflicts could be a possible cause.

 

[Nevo]

If you're running Win9x, that's the reason your machine locks up. (Yes, I'm prejudiced!)

If you're running NT/W2K/XP, lockups are generally caused by device drivers or bad hardware. Kernel mode memory leaks can cause the system to become so memory starved that it can no longer operate. Device drivers run in kernel mode and can hang the system.

 

[Gunbuster]

1: Stupid user tricks (do I need a CPU fan?)

2: Running 30 apps at startup that nest in the task bar (see #1)

3: Non spec hardware. (running a athlon with a noname 200w power supply)

4: Bad device drivers

5: Bad hardware

 

[VBboy]

A dead rat cought in the cooling fan

 

[lacunae]

VB: you got a dead rat caught in your cooling fan??? :þ how big a fan are you running? rats are BIG!

anyways, add to the list:
-poorly written software
-excessive temperatures
-bad power (meaning from the wall outlet, tho pad powersupplies are also a cause)

 

[magicslax]

<< A dead rat cought in the cooling fan >>



that must be the hardware equivalent of windows9x (spec. ME: vomit, i hate that crap) caught on the hard drive.