[Solved] Windows XP continually freezes

[Nasher]

Hi all, my first post so I hope someone can help me otherwise my old PC goes out of the window.

My Windows XP Home edition SP3 PC freezes often at the scroll bar stage of boot up. Other times it will boot and I can use the PC for anywhere between 30s and 10 minutes before it freezes. I then do a reset or sometimes have to do a complete restart and the cycle begins again. If I boot up in safe mode it still freezes.

I have tried Reg Mechanic to clean the registry, but that made no difference. I've removed lots of redundant programs. I've run DiskCheckup but that found no faults with the hard drives. I've run Memtest but the memory is OK. I've updated almost all of my drivers and I still have the same problem.

The PC has a MSI PM8M-V motherboard with a 2.8 intel 4 hyper threading CPU and 2Gb PC3200 DDR ram with a nvidia Geforce 7600GT graphics card running 2 monitors, with 250 and 80 Gb hard drives and a 550W PSU.

 

At one point I did get a microsoft errot report stating that the "crash" was caused by outdated video drivers but I've updated to the June 2011 issue of nvidias drivers and it still freezes.

 

The freezing fault started about 6 weeks after I had changed to 30 meg Virginmedia Broadband from my old 1.5meg BT broadband but I can't think that changing broadband supplier would give a problem.

 

Over to you all, please.

Cheers,

Nasher.

Edited June 27, 2011 by Nasher

[Starbuck]

Hi Nasher

 

I have tried Reg Mechanic to clean the registry,

1st rule.... NEVER use a registry cleaner.

They cause more problems than they cure.

I doubt you will find one member of staff here that would recommend one.

 

The PC has a MSI PM8M-V motherboard with a 2.8 intel 4 hyper threading CPU and 2Gb PC3200 DDR ram with a nvidia Geforce 7600GT graphics card running 2 monitors, with 250 and 80 Gb hard drives and a 550W PSU.

Thought you were talking about my system then http://fc06.deviantart.net/fs4/i/2004/250/7/1/ROFL_by_b4sti.gif

 

The freezing fault started about 6 weeks after I had changed to 30 meg Virginmedia Broadband from my old 1.5meg BT broadband but I can't think that changing broadband supplier would give a problem.

You'd be surprised.

Not all systems can handle these new internet speeds.

They really are designed for newer Operating systems.

 

Let's try something basic and take it from there.

 

Download TFC by OldTimer to your desktop

• Please double-click TFC.exe to run it. (Note: If you are running on Vista, right-click on the file and choose Run As Administrator).
  
• It will close all programs when run, so make sure you have saved all your work before you begin.
  
• Click the Start button to begin the process. Depending on how often you clean temp files, execution time should be anywhere from a few seconds to a minute or two. Let it run uninterrupted to completion.
  
• Once it's finished it should reboot your machine. If it does not, please manually reboot the machine yourself to ensure a complete clean.

 

Let me know how much in Mb TFC removed.

[Nasher]

TFC.exe

 

Hi Starbuck

 

 

Hi Nasher

 

 

 

 

Download TFC by OldTimer to your desktop

• Please double-click TFC.exe to run it. (Note: If you are running on Vista, right-click on the file and choose Run As Administrator).
  
• It will close all programs when run, so make sure you have saved all your work before you begin.
  
• Click the Start button to begin the process. Depending on how often you clean temp files, execution time should be anywhere from a few seconds to a minute or two. Let it run uninterrupted to completion.
  
• Once it's finished it should reboot your machine. If it does not, please manually reboot the machine yourself to ensure a complete clean.
  

Let me know how much in Mb TFC removed.

 

For our first step to a rejuvinated PC I've managed to run TFC.exe and it removed 312Mb of files and the PC froze during the reboot. Restarted again and computer ran for 15s and then froze again.

 

What is my second step.

I'm in all tonight and on Rest Day tomorrow so I'm ready to try anything that will help.

 

There is one thing I've noticed although I'm not sure if it is of any help and is probably indicative of a freeze.

While the PC is working if I put my fingers on the side of the hard drives I can feel the vibration of them working but as soon as the PC freezes the hard drives don't vibrate anymore. Is that just the result of a freeze or a cause of the freeze.

PS. I don't normally use my PC with my fingers on the sides of the hard drives. I noticed this when I took the side panel off to check that all connections were secure.

 

Cheers, I await your reply,

Nasher.

[Plastic Nev]

Hi Nasher, this sounds a bit like the drive is sticking, hence the freeze. See if Starbuck has anything further though before we start looking at the hard drive fully.

Nev.

[Starbuck]

Hi Nev,

 

I just had TFC run to make sure the issue wasn't with the build up of temp files.

I agree about the hard drive possibly sticking, so i'll leave that to you experts.

[Nasher]

Hi Nev,

If it is the hard drive sticking is there anything I can do or does that mean a new hard drive.

At the moment I'm having difficulty getting the PC to run more than a minute or two before it freezes.

Cheers,

Nasher.

[KenB]

Hi,

I know you have recently started a new thread but it is best if all relevant details are kept together.

 

I would be inclined to take the hard drive out of the system and connect it to another machine.

From there you can run a chkdsk ( checkdisk ) on it and one or two other tests.

The manufacturer should have diagnostic software you can download.

 

You need a hard drive to usb adapter.

 

I am a bit confused when you say this:

 

I've run DiskCheckup but that found no faults with the hard drives.

I've run Memtest but the memory is OK.

You say that ...

I can use the PC for anywhere between 30s and 10 minutes before it freezes.

How did you run the checks as they need considerably longer than 10 mins - especially Memtest.

 

Is the HDD in question IDE?

 

Let me know if you wish to take this further.

Edited July 4, 2011 by KenB

[Nasher]

Hi KenB,

Yes, I need to take it further.

In answer to your questions: yes it is IDE (250Gb, HDT722525DLAT80). I ran Memtest for 45mins when the PC was running a bit better than it is now. I do realise that memtest should be left running for hours but my PC doesn't last that long. It did complete the Diskcheckup right through to completion as that is a relatively quick test. I did have to run it twice - once for each hard drive (slave hard drive is 80 Gb, ST380020A) and it found no problems.

 

I have ordered a USB hard drive caddy so I can run the hard drive via my laptop. I'll let you know when it arrives, most likely next week some time.

 

I can continue using my laptop and netbook but I still like using my desktop PC and keyboard and it seems a shame and more expense to just abandon my old PC and order a new one when in the past it has given such good service and I still like XP.

 

Cheers for now until I get the caddy.

Nasher.

[KenB]

Hi Nasher,

 

Do you have a full XP installation CD or is it recovery disk?

If it is a full version, we can try a Repair Install if necessary ( this way your data should be retained ).

 

=================

 

Does the machine freeze if you run it in Safe Mode?

Constantly tap F8 ( about once per second ) after switching on .

 

Also, from the same list, try "Last Known Good Configuration"

Edited July 7, 2011 by KenB

[Nasher]

Hi KenB,

I only have the recovery disk.

My PC still freezes in Safe Mode and yes I've tried "Last known Good Configuration" and I've tried using Restore Points but the PC still freezes.

I do have all my data files, pictures, documents etc, backed up to Virgin Medias on-line vault or whatever it is called but not the programs so I would have to reinstall all of those if I used the recovery disc, but I was hoping it wouldn't come to that.

If I find my hard drives work OK when I use a caddy via my laptop (when the caddy gets here) then I think my only option would be to use the recovery disc.

I'm not sure if it helps at all but I do have a recovery partition on the slave drive.

 

Cheers,

Nasher.

[KenB]

Hi Nasher,

 

Sorry - I must have missed this last post.

 

If you can download CCleaner from here we can try running that too:

http://www.filehippo.com/download_ccleaner

Click on the green d/l button on the right.

 

Use the defaults and DO NOT use the Registry option.

[Nasher]

Hi KenB,

I haven't tried to download CCleaner yet as I thought I'd let you know how things are going.

Today the Hard Drive Caddy arrived. It is an Allcom caddy. So I removed the 250Gb hard drive from my PC and loaded it into the Caddy and ran it.

And it does run OK and doesn't freeze. You can fel the vibration of the hard drive working all the time.

I've looked at loads of pictures, files and all sorts via the caddy and the only thing that you notice is the noise fires up when you look at various files. I'm not sure if it is a design feature of the caddy but you can constantly hear a buzz through the lap top speakers and then every so often the buzz increases. It is a bit like a radio that isn't tuned in and you've got all that background noise.

Tomorrow I'll try the other drive in the caddy and see what that does.

Cheers,

Nasher

[KenB]

Hi nasher,

 

If you can access the drive without it sticking then it looks as if the drive itself is OK.

 

If the drive is constantly running you could have an application or malware running in the background.

Download MBAM to the other computer and connect your drive in the caddy.

http://www.malwarebytes.org/

Click on "Products" - you want the free version.

 

After installing select "Full Scan"

From here you can select your hard drive letter ( Possibly E:\ )

The scan will take some time to complete.

 

If anything is found post the log here.

[Nasher]

Hi KenB,

I downloaded MBAM and ran a full scan on my 250Gb drive and the scan took 2 hours 13 mins and 28 secs and found no infections at all.

I then scanned my 80 Gb slave drive and it ran for 1 hour 3 mins and 13 secs and found 2 infections.

Both were by Spyware.Online Games one was \system volume information\_restore{4b750379-8adb-4432-b50a-ac8d5f6215a7}\RP1111\A0145797.exe

and the other was \windows\temp\regincd2.exe

I quarantined and deleted both infections.

 

Do you think these could have been my problem or is this just the start of testing theories, and as such do you think I should try putting my drives back in my PC and trying to run the PC again.

 

As my 250Gb drive ran in the caddy for over two hours it looks as though the drive is OK and was not sticking. Along with the new caddy I bought a new 320Gb hard drive to replace the 250Gb one as I though it was faulty, so I have a spare drive now.

 

What do you think I should do next.

Nasher

[KenB]

Hi,

 

Download CCleaner to the second machine and connect the 250GB drive via the caddy.

(See post 11 )

Run CCleaner using the default settings.

(you may need to select the drive - could be E:\ )

DO NOT use the registry option.

 

Put the 250GB drive back in the original machine.

 

Try booting.

 

If you still have the same problem disconnect the DVD CD ROM data cable from the motherboard and disconnect the power to it.

If you have a floppy drive do the same with this.

Do not put the slave drive back in.

Disconnect the printer and any other external devices.

 

Try booting now.

 

If you still have the same problem take the RAM out - clean the contacts with a pencil eraser - and put JUST ONE module back.

 

Try now.

 

If you still get the same problem swap the RAM over and try with the other one.

[Nasher]

Hi KenB,

I downloaded CCleaner but I don't know if I've actually cleaned the G Drive (my caddy) as there doesn't appear to be an option to just clean certain drives.

Under Options/Settings there is an option to select the drive for Wipe Free Space and also under Tools there is a Drive Wiper.

I did tick drive G for the Wipe Free Space and then ran CCleaner and it did erase some files but I'm not sure if they were from drive G or another drive.

 

Also I'm not sure if just putting my 250Gb drive back in will successfully boot up or not as normally my 250Gb is the Master as local C drive but on the 80Gb slave I have a Drive D (Boot); Drive E (Back Up) and Drive F (Recover).

 

Cheers, Nasher

[Plastic Nev]

Hi Nasher, if the Windows operating system is on that 250GB drive, it should work and start up OK.

However when you say there is a Boot partition on the smaller 80GB drive, this I find confusing. Which drive was the original, the 250GB or the 80GB?

 

Nev.

[Nasher]

Hi Plastic Nev,

When I bought the PC which was a Medion PC the original drive was the 80Gb drive.

Since then the PC has had many changes:- New Motherboard, new PSU, new CPU, new Graphics card, extra memory and the second, bigger hard drive.

When I first rebuilt the PC about 2 - 3 years ago the monitors wouldn't fire up and I tried everything but couldn't sort it out and had to call in professional help and the problem turned out to be a simple short on the old modem, which we subsequently removed as it wasn't required. As I had been unlucky on the rebuild with this short and as the PC repairer didn't really do anything he only charged me a modest fee. The PC repairer installed XP from my recovery disc onto the new hard drive.

 

Does this help at all.

Regards Nasher.

[KenB]

Hi nasher,

there doesn't appear to be an option to just clean certain drives.

Sorry - it appears that you are correct.

I have just had a quick look and there is no option to select a drive - only folders.

 

Put the drive back and take a look at post #15

[Nasher]

Hi KenB,

I've disconnected the floppy, CD-Rom, DVD ReWriter, I've replaced the memory with brand new memory.

I haven't managed to install CCleaner yet.

Switched the PC on and it froze while the scroll bar was running.

I then disconnected everything from the back - only the printer and a scanner and switched on again. It managed to get as far as the Desk Top view and then the PC froze and it is just sitting there doing nothing again.

Is there anything else we can try or am I going to have to call in a PC repairer or give up altogether and buy a new PC, which I really don't want to do, but I am getting really desparate and fed up with it now.

 

Cheers, Nasher.

[KenB]

OK - Drastic action :)

 

Switch off at the wall.

Disconnect Printer and all other external devices.

Take ALL cards out ( RAM / Sound / Video etc etc )

Disconnect the data and power cables from the Hard Drive and DVD CDROM drives at the m/board end.

 

Leave only the 20(4) way connection attached to the motherboard.

 

Check the case for excess dust.

Blow this away or use a soft brush.

 

Switch on.

 

The machine should POST ( beep ) but should not crash.

Leave it for a while if it appears stable.

 

If it isn't stable you have a PSU or m/board problem.

[Nasher]

Hi KenB,

 

Right, I've disconnected everything external, all the hard drives, DVD Writer, CD-ROM from the motherboard end, I've removed the graphics card, a firewire card, removed the memory. There is nothing left.

Switched on, but I can't hear any beeping and how do I know if the PC has crashed or not as my monitors are disconnected.

If I then put the graphics card and the memory back and switch on the monitor fires up, but the PC freezes after about 10s, so at least that proves it is nothing to do with the OS.

 

Does this tell you anything apart from I've got a knackered PC.

Cheers,Nasher

[RandyL]

Just in case Ken is not around I'm betting he is right but wait for Ken.

 

With nothing connected to the mobo you should have got a post beep.

 

As Ken said a power supply or mobo issue seems the cause.

 

As you do get power to the monitor It's likely the mobo. The power supply could be putting out a small amount but not enough to fire up the computer even though your monitor turns on. But I would have thought if it had that much power you should have got a post beep.

 

Wait for Ken but I'm betting mobo.

[KenB]

Hi,

 

I am away from tomorrow for 4/5 weeks.

 

One more thing to try:

With all cards etc. disconnected - unscrew the m/board and sit it on a newspaper to insulate it from the case.

 

Switch on.

 

If no beeps check that you do have a small speaker connected on the m/board. If it is there you should get POST beeps.

No beeps indicates PSU or m/board.

 

If you DO get POST beeps then you had a short between the m/board and the case.

Make sure that there are no loose screws etc underneath the m/board and that the standoffs ( spacers ) are all present.

 

If you have a volt-meter you can test the PSU.

See here:

http://kenspchelp.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=10

 

The best test is to replace the PSU with a spare if you have one.

It doesn't matter if this is a different wattage - it would still boot up.

[Nasher]

Hi folks,

 

Let me update you as to where I am.

As my system was using a AGP graphics card and IDE hard drives buying a new motherboard that would accept them appears to be a no go, so I bought a second hand MS-7037 motherboard that would accept my graphics card, IDE hard drives, PC 3200 DDR memory.

I've installed the "new" board along with my Intel Pentium 4 2.8 processor and my master and slave hard drives and 2Gb pc3200 memory.

The "new" board came with a graphics card and the seller assured me that everything was working well when removed from his system so, incase my original graphics card had a problem I reinstalled the card that came with the board.

 

I started the system up and went into Set up and went through all the BIOS settings and saved and exited. Both of my hard drives have been recognised.

The PC is no longer freezing but it is now looping.

It goes throught the POST and the XP logo comes up and scrolls for a few seconds but then goes back to the POST and then goes to the "Start windows normally, etc "page and I can't get it to start in safe mode. If I leave it, it times down and restarts and the XP logo comes up and then goes to POST and it will continually loop until I enter set up again.

 

Is there something obvious I've failed to do which I've missed.

 

Over to you all again.

Nasher