Freezing problem

[Fall Out Boy]

In the last few weeks my PC has been freezing far too regularly.

It only freezes when i leave it for more than 10 minutes.

When i come back, the top cm of the screen is covered with green vertical lines.

Very frustrating, thought it may have been a problem with a screensaver, but i've taken that off and the problem still occurs.

Any help?

 

[jim boy]

Unfortunately, it could be virtually anything from some corrupt system file to a poorly written driver or third party software to an actual physical malfunction (eg dodgy memory).

The things to ask are, did this start occurring suddenly and if so were any changes made to the system? Is this triggered reliably and consistently, eg, it always does this after 10 minutes with no user input?

From what you have written, my best guess is that it is the video driver. Either try updating it, or run the PC in VGA mode and try and tigger the problem.

And buying a mac won't help.

 

[Fall Out Boy]

Originally posted by Jim Boy

The things to ask are, did this start occurring suddenly and if so were any changes made to the system? Is this triggered reliably and consistently, eg, it always does this after 10 minutes with no user input?

Yeah, it did start suddenly. The only change to the system was my removal of a virus.

It always happens and always after about 10 minutes.

Sometimes when this happens, the CPU actually makes some real clunky noises.

It appears to me like it might be a monitor problem, because i think the problem coincides with the monitor goes into power save mode (although the problem still occurs when i turn the monitor off).

Anyway, thanks for the help, shall keep trying things.

 

[Zeke]

Green vertical lines?

I think you're experiencing a glitch in the Matrix.

 

[error404]

Do you have a screen saver? they can cause havoc

 

[Fall Out Boy]

Originally posted by error404
Do you have a screen saver? they can cause havoc

I did have one, but it's been gone for a good week or two.

 

[error404]

wot system are you running XP.... 98? and how old is your puter?

 

[Zeke]

Originally posted by error404
wot system are you running XP.... 98? and how old is your puter?

Windoze for sure.

 

[thewhippersnapper]

Originally posted by Zeke
Windoze for sure.

It probably has nothing to do with what System he has.

 

[Zeke]

Originally posted by BomberAUS
It probably has nothing to do with what System he has.

LOL. Yeah good one. His operating system is crashing, not because it is unstable, but for some other unknown mysterious reason. Maybe it is the position of Venus' moons...

 

[error404]

If your running a Zeke you will need professional help.
I was just trying to get an idea how old the puter is.

 

[jim boy]

Originally posted by phatandphreaky
Yeah, it did start suddenly. The only change to the system was my removal of a virus.

It always happens and always after about 10 minutes.

Sometimes when this happens, the CPU actually makes some real clunky noises.

It appears to me like it might be a monitor problem, because i think the problem coincides with the monitor goes into power save mode (although the problem still occurs when i turn the monitor off).

Anyway, thanks for the help, shall keep trying things.

CPU's don't go clunk, hard drives do though, especially just before and when they pack it in, speaking from painful experience here.

What was the virus you had and did you install a patch as well as removing the virus?

Also have you turned off the power save modes within the power options in control panel? It may also be prudent to turn off any BIOS power settings as well.

 

[Fall Out Boy]

Originally posted by Jim Boy

Also have you turned off the power save modes within the power options in control panel? It may also be prudent to turn off any BIOS power settings as well.

No, i hadn't, but just did then.

Changed the system standby, monitor standby and hard disk standby to never.

That the right thing to do?

 

[jim boy]

Originally posted by phatandphreaky
No, i hadn't, but just did then.

Changed the system standby, monitor standby and hard disk standby to never.

That the right thing to do?

yes

 

[Fall Out Boy]

Cheers.

Will turn her on tomorrow and leave it for an hour or so and see what happens.

Thanks matey.

 

[Mr Eagle]

Originally posted by Zeke
LOL. Yeah good one. His operating system is crashing, not because it is unstable, but for some other unknown mysterious reason. Maybe it is the position of Venus' moons...

Or maybe it's due to faulty hardware.

 

[Zeke]

Originally posted by Mr Eagle
Or maybe it's due to faulty hardware.

My money is on Windows every time. Odds are too good to ignore.

What you say is correct, however - there are that many half-bit, home made, dodgy PC's around.

 

[nonchalance]

Backup all your data, format your hard drive, reinstall Windows.

Seriously, the chances of the HD dying soon are reasonably high, but even if it doesn't, a format will probably fix the problem.

 

[Jabber]

Originally posted by Zeke
.....there are that many half-bit, home made, dodgy PC's around.

....and half-bit dodgy experts to go with them

 

[Fall Out Boy]

Originally posted by nonchalance
Backup all your data, format your hard drive, reinstall Windows.

Seriously, the chances of the HD dying soon are reasonably high, but even if it doesn't, a format will probably fix the problem.

Was formatted mere months ago.

 

[Fall Out Boy]

Just left the PC for 30 minutes to test the new power save settings.

Came back and it was fine.

Hopefully it remains this way.