Computer just freezes up for no reason ???

[steff]

well basically when i boot the computer for the first time after about 5 minutes it slowly crashes. mouse goes then keyboard then sound, internet, then just freezes. so then i have to hold the boot up button in until it turns off then turn power off at back until the bios lights on the motherboard go out then restart and its ok for the rest of the day. its a new computer running xp pro
any ideas??

thanks in advance

[polarstar]

is it a self build pc if not check graphics card and ram are seated properly in their slots,
also have you loaded any new software on the pc before it started freezing.

[PhilEnfield]

Also ... what are your system specs/OS and age of system

Do you know what PSU you have ?

[steff]

got the system from here
http://www.cyberpowersystem.co.uk/system/uk_ultra770.asp?v=d
upgraded some parts
power supply nzxt pf-500 watt
about 6 months old so still in warranty but would rather not be without computer for any length of time. also refused there os as i have my own xp pro + all updates (and wanted to save money for a better system

loaded all the usual software that ran ok on my old system

[PhilEnfield]

Your description of the system slowly dying seems a bit unusual and doesn't highlight anything in particular, but the system behaving ok, following a power down, leads me to think maybe the PSU is 'iffy'.
Have you another PSU you could try ?

[steff]

no m8 just the 1.cant see its the power as its fine after reboot

what i do now is get up turn the computer on.make a cup of tea read the newspaper.then turn computer off by holding the start up button in for a few seconds,then turn power supply off for about a minute then power up and its fine then untill the computer is turned off by windows shutdown at the end off the day

[PhilEnfield]

Well you could say the same with the RAM, MOBO, CPU,GFX CArd etc. all working fine after a reboot, but clearly something is causing the problem.

The PSU is under most strain, when it powers up from cold.
Out of interest, when you power down after the first freeze and all is working ok, have you tried restarting/rebooting, to see if it boots ok, from warm ?

[steff]

Well you could say the same with the RAM, MOBO, CPU,GFX CArd etc. all working fine after a reboot, but clearly something is causing the problem.

The PSU is under most strain, when it powers up from cold.
Out of interest, when you power down after the first freeze and all is working ok, have you tried restarting/rebooting, to see if it boots ok, from warm ?

on a normal reboot windows just hangs. and once when i did a reboot when it was hanging the computer locked up and
wouldn't restart at all so i had to reinstall windows and still had the same problems

[PhilEnfield]

It certainly sounds hardware related, but the only way you are going to find out is by a process of elimination.

The repair shop always has the advantage here, because they can try out new RAM, new PSU etc. etc., but you haven't got that luxury.

I guess you either have to call in the warranty and accept losing the box for a while, or you open it up and try some things yourself.
The only order that makes sense to the home user, is the cheapest first and the easist first, in the hope that you track the problem quickly and without wasting too much cash ;)

[steff]

ok cheers guys will poke about on my next day off to see if theres any thing loose.if not its cold turkey for a week or so

[thedvdmonster]

do u hear any clicking sounds before it goes to pot or on start up?
personally i'd change the psu first as thats the cheapest in my experience the first cure for most freezing problems.

[steff]

do u hear any clicking sounds before it goes to pot or on start up?
personally i'd change the psu first as thats the cheapest in my experience the first cure for most freezing problems.
no m8 no sounds just freezes.will send it back and if i get a reason why i will post here again