unexplained freezing!!

[Guest Simon Scheck]

I know there is a very broad spectrum of problems that could be causing this,

but any suggestions would be welcomed.

 

I'm using XP Pro, and seemingly at random intervals the machine just

freezes. Sometimes after being on for 2 minutes, sometimes after hours. The

computer stays on (HDD lights not flashing or anything), the screen is

completely stuck, and the mouse doesn't move. CTRL ALT DEL doesn't work, and

there's nothing I can do short of turning the PC off at the box. I'm usually

not doing anything particularly strenuous on the machine, happened twice this

morning when I was just surfing, no other programs running (except background

stuff).

 

I've searched the event viewer in all categories, there's no warnings or

errors. I've installed all windows updates, and have Symantec Anti Virus

fully updated.

 

I've tried changing the graphics card driver, thinking that might be the

problem but unfortunately that didn't fix it.

 

And I also run Linux (Ubunut) on the same machine, and never have this

problem no matter how long I leave it logged on, so I guess that rules out

CPU or hardware issues.

 

Any suggestions for patches or tweaks or anything would be greatly

appreciated!! If you need any more information from me let me know!

 

Thanks!

 

Simon.

[Guest PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Re: unexplained freezing!!

 

Unexplained computer behavior may be caused by deceptive software

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/827315

 

Run a /thorough/ check for hijackware, including posting your hijackthis log

to an appropriate forum.

 

Checking for/Help with Hijackware

http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm

http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm

http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?t=5878

http://wiki.castlecops.com/Malware_Removal_and_Prevention:_Introduction

http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm

http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/data/prevention.htm

http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/tshoot.html

http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Malware_Defence.htm

http://defendingyourmachine2.blogspot.com/

http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

 

When all else fails, HijackThis v2.0.2

(http://aumha.org/downloads/hijackthis.zip) is the preferred tool to use.

It will help you to both identify and remove any hijackware/spyware with

assistance from an expert. **Post your log to

http://forums.spybot.info/forumdisplay.php?f=22,

http://castlecops.com/forum67.html,

http://forums.subratam.org/index.php?showforum=7,

http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=30, or other appropriate forums for review

by an expert in such matters, not here.**

 

If the procedures look too complex - and there is no shame in admitting this

isn't your cup of tea - take the machine to a local, reputable and

independent (i.e., not BigBoxStoreUSA) computer repair shop.

--

~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)

MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002

AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net

DTS-L http://dts-l.net/

 

Simon Scheck wrote:

> I know there is a very broad spectrum of problems that could be causing

> this, but any suggestions would be welcomed.

>

> I'm using XP Pro, and seemingly at random intervals the machine just

> freezes. Sometimes after being on for 2 minutes, sometimes after hours.

> The

> computer stays on (HDD lights not flashing or anything), the screen is

> completely stuck, and the mouse doesn't move. CTRL ALT DEL doesn't work,

> and

> there's nothing I can do short of turning the PC off at the box. I'm

> usually

> not doing anything particularly strenuous on the machine, happened twice

> this morning when I was just surfing, no other programs running (except

> background stuff).

>

> I've searched the event viewer in all categories, there's no warnings or

> errors. I've installed all windows updates, and have Symantec Anti Virus

> fully updated.

>

> I've tried changing the graphics card driver, thinking that might be the

> problem but unfortunately that didn't fix it.

>

> And I also run Linux (Ubunut) on the same machine, and never have this

> problem no matter how long I leave it logged on, so I guess that rules out

> CPU or hardware issues.

>

> Any suggestions for patches or tweaks or anything would be greatly

> appreciated!! If you need any more information from me let me know!

>

> Thanks!

>

> Simon.

[Guest Bob I]

Re: unexplained freezing!!

 

Is the mouse and keyboard USB attached? If so, open Device manager, and

in the Universal Serial Bus Controller section, go through all the

items, and on the Power Management tabs, UNcheck "Allow computer to turn

off this device to save power".

 

Simon Scheck wrote:

> I know there is a very broad spectrum of problems that could be causing this,

> but any suggestions would be welcomed.

>

> I'm using XP Pro, and seemingly at random intervals the machine just

> freezes. Sometimes after being on for 2 minutes, sometimes after hours. The

> computer stays on (HDD lights not flashing or anything), the screen is

> completely stuck, and the mouse doesn't move. CTRL ALT DEL doesn't work, and

> there's nothing I can do short of turning the PC off at the box. I'm usually

> not doing anything particularly strenuous on the machine, happened twice this

> morning when I was just surfing, no other programs running (except background

> stuff).

>

> I've searched the event viewer in all categories, there's no warnings or

> errors. I've installed all windows updates, and have Symantec Anti Virus

> fully updated.

>

> I've tried changing the graphics card driver, thinking that might be the

> problem but unfortunately that didn't fix it.

>

> And I also run Linux (Ubunut) on the same machine, and never have this

> problem no matter how long I leave it logged on, so I guess that rules out

> CPU or hardware issues.

>

> Any suggestions for patches or tweaks or anything would be greatly

> appreciated!! If you need any more information from me let me know!

>

> Thanks!

>

> Simon.

[Guest Charlie]

Re: unexplained freezing!!

 

Just for grins, kill Symantec and see what happens.

"Simon Scheck" <SimonScheck@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:068C2F15-F649-4CDA-944E-2005D9D9E9E4@microsoft.com...

>I know there is a very broad spectrum of problems that could be causing

>this,

> but any suggestions would be welcomed.

>

> I'm using XP Pro, and seemingly at random intervals the machine just

> freezes. Sometimes after being on for 2 minutes, sometimes after hours.

> The

> computer stays on (HDD lights not flashing or anything), the screen is

> completely stuck, and the mouse doesn't move. CTRL ALT DEL doesn't work,

> and

> there's nothing I can do short of turning the PC off at the box. I'm

> usually

> not doing anything particularly strenuous on the machine, happened twice

> this

> morning when I was just surfing, no other programs running (except

> background

> stuff).

>

> I've searched the event viewer in all categories, there's no warnings or

> errors. I've installed all windows updates, and have Symantec Anti Virus

> fully updated.

>

> I've tried changing the graphics card driver, thinking that might be the

> problem but unfortunately that didn't fix it.

>

> And I also run Linux (Ubunut) on the same machine, and never have this

> problem no matter how long I leave it logged on, so I guess that rules out

> CPU or hardware issues.

>

> Any suggestions for patches or tweaks or anything would be greatly

> appreciated!! If you need any more information from me let me know!

>

> Thanks!

>

> Simon.