Tech: Computer Crashes Every 10 Minutes

17 May 09 - 06:47 PM (#2634217)
Subject: Tech: Computer Crashes Every 10 Minutes
From: Rabbi-Sol

A week ago I started having the problem where my computer crashes (freezes up every 10 minutes) and I have to keep restarting it.

The repairman picked it up Friday and returned it today saying all was fixed. However, all is not fixed and the problem has returned.

Any ideas?

SOL

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17 May 09 - 06:49 PM (#2634219)
Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Crashes Every 10 Minutes
From: Dave the Gnome

I have just loaded and ran System Mechanic on mine - 3 day evaluation. Seems good up to now.

DeG

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17 May 09 - 06:53 PM (#2634221)
Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Crashes Every 10 Minutes
From: Rabbi-Sol

Is that a free program that can be downloaded from the net in 10 minutes or less?

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17 May 09 - 07:38 PM (#2634248)
Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Crashes Every 10 Minutes
From: GUEST,.gargoyle

Standard Questions Rab:

What Platform? PC/MAC - Intel/AMD - Memory - Motherboard

What Operating System? Vista - XP - OS10

What program are you using when it crashes? ie FireFox crashes on PhotoBucket website -

What have you recently upgraded on the machine? ie installed new Flash Player

Do NOT download anything new to your machine - until you get it stable.

Sincerely,
Gargoyle

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17 May 09 - 07:44 PM (#2634252)
Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Crashes Every 10 Minutes
From: robomatic

More Standard Questions:


Does it give you any error messages when it boots up

When it crashes does it:

Does it freeze
Does it give you the BSOD (Blue Screen Of Death) <= if it's a PC?
Does it give an error message

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17 May 09 - 08:00 PM (#2634263)
Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Crashes Every 10 Minutes
From: Maryrrf

I hate to say this, but something similar happened to me and it culminated in a hard drive crash. Try to save whatever you can - documents and such because you may find that's where your computer is headed.

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17 May 09 - 08:05 PM (#2634267)
Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Crashes Every 10 Minutes
From: Rabbi-Sol

It is a PC running Windows XP home. 1 gig of ram 260 GB hard drive.

Intel Pentium 3

It crashes whether I use IE or Mozilla.

No blue screen of death. Just paralyzes whatever happens to be on the screen at the time.

It does not give any error message.

My cyber condom is Trend Micro and is suplemented by Ad-A Ware (Lavasoft) and Spy-bot Search & Destroy.

Computer is not overheating. Fan works normally.

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17 May 09 - 08:06 PM (#2634268)
Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Crashes Every 10 Minutes
From: olddude

Rabbi
full virus scan first thing, we can go from there, don't do a quick scan do a full scan

Dan

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17 May 09 - 08:08 PM (#2634272)
Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Crashes Every 10 Minutes
From: GUEST

More Standard Questions

When is the last time you scanned disk and defraged -

What is your cache capascity -

How much HD space is in use -

DO YOU HAVE Automatic Updates - and for what

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17 May 09 - 08:10 PM (#2634273)
Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Crashes Every 10 Minutes
From: Rabbi-Sol

A full scan takes from 45 minuted to an hour. The computer freezes up after 10 to i5 minutes so a full scan can not be done. My repairman was able to do a full scan in "safe mode" and no virus or malware was detected. I also dumped all temporary internet files and cookies.

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17 May 09 - 08:10 PM (#2634275)
Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Crashes Every 10 Minutes
From: GUEST,.gargoyle

Skip the ABOVE for now -

What are you doing when it crashes? Is it just ideling for 10 minutes - or is it performing a process or acces a website?

Sincerely,
Gargoyle

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17 May 09 - 08:12 PM (#2634277)
Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Crashes Every 10 Minutes
From: GUEST,.gargoyle

Also - I would recommend a full scan and defrag IN SAFE MODE - TWICE with a full shut down and reboot between scans.

SIncerely,
Gargoyle

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17 May 09 - 08:19 PM (#2634284)
Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Crashes Every 10 Minutes
From: GUEST,.gargoyle

The problem - occuring after 15 minutes - tends to indicate a possible heat problem...take a room fan and allow it to push additonal air through the backside (or front) - (there are also - cooling "zap" compressed cans - but not for you) It could be the CPU - or the motherboard - or a chip

IF IT IS HEAT - It can be perhaps resolved with a second fan inside the case - (it fixed my similar problem six years ago for about 15 bucks.)

The heat problem could be as simple as the "grease" on the chip's mount.

Sincerely,
Gargoyle

Are you comfortable taking the cover off your case?

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17 May 09 - 08:20 PM (#2634286)
Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Crashes Every 10 Minutes
From: Rabbi-Sol

I am actively working when it crashes, usually on the internet.

My cache capacity is 25% of my hard drive. I do not know how to determine exactly how much hard drive is in use during my normal use.

My repairman did a full scan disc and defrag over the weekend when he took the computer to his office.

It just crashed before I sent this message and I had to reboot.

SOL

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17 May 09 - 08:22 PM (#2634288)
Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Crashes Every 10 Minutes
From: GUEST,.gargoyle

I am 99.98 percent sure it is NOT your software...or HD.

It is a simple matter of isolating the malfunctioning component - try the fan first - then the zap can...

Sincerely,
Gargoyle

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17 May 09 - 08:27 PM (#2634293)
Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Crashes Every 10 Minutes
From: Rabbi-Sol

I assume by the Zap can you mean the air can that gets rid of the dust.

It was used extensively on Friday. The fan is running normally and the unit is cool.

It takes me time to respond because I keep crashing between message posts.

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17 May 09 - 08:37 PM (#2634299)
Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Crashes Every 10 Minutes
From: GUEST,.gargoyle

Put - the Room Fan at the backside.

The internal fan may be working - but just not suffiecently.

The zap-can - is not about removing dust - it is a way to cool a component that might be overheating to determine the culprit. People also used various refrigerated items to trouble shoot.

Sincerely,
Gargoyle

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17 May 09 - 08:39 PM (#2634300)
Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Crashes Every 10 Minutes
From: Mallee

If it is software a restore point should fix it. if its hard drive it would be totally stuffed to crash so many times. open case first check memory sims run with one and swap around. lift out cpu check alignment heatsink and fan. Also swap your keyboard and mouse around see if you can borrow another to try. I think your problem is something basic my money is on dodgy memory or peripherals. (check cards etc)

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17 May 09 - 08:51 PM (#2634308)
Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Crashes Every 10 Minutes
From: Dave the Gnome

System Mechanic has a free trial that you can download in < 10 mins. I agree you could have a hardware problem though. One thing not mentioned that I have come across a good few times - Faulty memory. You can test your memory and your cpu temp with some utilities that can be downloaded but I am not completely up to date so I will not recommend any in particular. If you have more than one stick of memory in place you can isolate a duff one by taking them all out but one. That is if your OS will cope with reduced memory!

I would still try System Mechanic but if you have a HW problem your system may not stay up long enough to run a detailed test:-(

Good luck whatever you try.

DeG

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17 May 09 - 09:37 PM (#2634342)
Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Crashes Every 10 Minutes
From: Gurney

I had the computer freeze in the terminal stages of my recent problem. Rebooting fixed it earlier, but it got worse and worse, and finally I could only reboot with the switch.

My IT man diagnosed a trojan after I gave up, and formatted my HDs, and now everything is formatted, 3HDs and two thumb drives, and everything looks fine, -as it bloody well should!

I suspect that I got the trojan from a music-software freeware download.

Hope you haven't got that problem, Sol. I reinfected myself twice, trying to save things, and finally lost everything after fighting it for four weeks.

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17 May 09 - 10:59 PM (#2634391)
Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Crashes Every 10 Minutes
From: Rabbi-Sol

I am now on my wife's computer. Mine has now shut down for good. I received a message on a blue screen stating that windows has shut down automatically to prevent further damage to my hardware. It also said do not restart until all components have been checked by qualified service personnel. The repair man will pick it up tomorrow morning. I will keep everyone here apprised of any further developments with regard to this problem.

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18 May 09 - 01:39 AM (#2634442)
Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Crashes Every 10 Minutes
From: Gurney

Gargoyle, no, I just use the thing. Most of what you said there I barely understood, although I once had a program which would inform me what was running. I was removing programs, suspecting one was infected. I even did XP back to the original CD.
I think the original infection was in the thumbdrive that I use for downloads.
The most irritating loss was the LPs that I had digitised. Have to start again, now.
The IT man, as well as I could understand his (Ch)English, said I had the trojan .Exe ...AND that my graphics card was overheating, which might explain why my power-unit fan was operating more than usual.
I knew the card was playing up, and had been for a long time, showing the hatching around the click area, although still working. It's gone now, and the extra fan hardly ever runs.
So, maybe your suspicion about heat in Sol's computer is right on the money, my mouse pointer used to only move diagonally, and then freeze completely. Sometimes I could fix it by changing mouses, mini-din to USB and vice versa.
Bloody software! Hardware, now, no trouble, I'll change or upgrade anything.

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18 May 09 - 04:53 AM (#2634514)
Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Crashes Every 10 Minutes
From: JohnInKansas

The most dangerous thing that could be happening probably is a power supply that's going over the hill. A failing supply can wander to high or low voltages, and if it goes too far either way it could zap a motherboard. (This is rare, but it happened to us about three weeks ago, and Lin has a new computer as a result. She's also learning to HATE Vista Home Basic, since that's all we could get CHEAP! and in a hurry.)

Most reasonably modern computers sense processor temperature primarily. The "ambient" air inside the computer has to get really out of bounds to cause a shutdown, and it often doesn't get hot enough to be notable even if the processor is working really hard. But the normal response to an overheat is a shut down, not just a "freeze" like you've described.

My cache capacity is 25% of my hard drive. ?? - is a little questionable, since my recollection is that the maximum limit you can change for the main Temp space is more like 25% percent of the expected free space on the drive in WinXP. I'm not sure my memory is all that good at the moment, but if the drive is low on free space you may not have as much working room as you think. A right-click on the drive in Windows Explorer, and select "Properties" will give you an immediate indication of the critical number - how much free space is on the drive.

You can also click "Disk Cleanup" there to get rid of any excess temp files that may be cluttering up the space, but you've indicated that's been done recently.

In any case of "mysterious happenings" it's probably a good idea to click the "Check Disk for Errors" but you'll usually have to reboot and let it do the check before anything starts using the disk - and sometimes you may have to reboot twice before the check runs. Click the "Automatically fix errors" box if you decide to try to run it. (But your techie also probably did this as well.)

It should also be noted that there are several separate "temp spaces" reserved in WinXP. The Temporary Internet Folder is the main one that causes problems, but one of the smaller ones could be cramped as well. "System Information" may give you some idea of whether one of the little ones is cramped for space, but it usually takes additional investigation to see whether what it tells you actually means anything.

In WinXP, Start|Programs|Accessories|System Tools|System Information may tell you something helpful.

If you click the "+" at "Software Environment," down at the bottom of the section there should be a "Windows Error Reporting" log that should at least tell you when you're getting the problem. "Hanging application" is fairly common, and it usually can tell you what program is responsible. If it's your browser it doesn't help a lot since you already know it bogs down; but if it's some other program (that might be running while you browse) it might let you know where else to apply the first efforts. It's fairly common to have a lot more "errors" in the report than most people would expect; but not all of them should be too significant. (Windows makes lots of errors, but it has built-in "corrective actions" for most of them too.)

If you choose to keep trying to run it before turning things over to your techie, and if you haven't tried it, at the next freeze try Ctl-Alt-Delete, which should open "Task Manager" or give you a menu where you can choose to open it. If the processor has shut down, it may not open (which is a clue?) but if it comes open, the "Applications" tab may show you one or more programs that are "(not responding)," which might also give you some clues to work with. Sometimes you can click on an application and then click "End Program" to shut down just the browser - or another program that might be "hung" - without the necessity of a reboot. Note though that you can get a "not responding" indication there if the program is just waiting for a web site to finish a download. With browsers this can happen if an "ad server" off the server that's giving you the page hangs up or doesn't respond, so be suspicious with sites that have a lot of adds - especially the ones that flash and jiggle and make lots of noise or other annoying stuff.

John

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18 May 09 - 06:17 PM (#2635208)
Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Crashes Every 10 Minutes
From: Scanner

This is Rabbi Sol on my wife's computer.

The repairman picked up my computer early this morning and took it to his shop. Hopefully I will hear from him by tomorrow as to what the problem is. I will post again when I hear from him.

SOL

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19 May 09 - 03:44 PM (#2635967)
Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Crashes Every 10 Minutes
From: GUEST,Shimrod

I experienced a weird problem with my desktop yesterday. I have a new computer with 4Gb of Ram, 500 Gb hard disk, Windows Vista etc.

Whenever I logged on to the Internet the damn thing would freeze after about 30 seconds. I plugged the modem into my laptop (which is also newish) and it worked fine. I then assumed that I had a virus or something on the desktop so I ran a scan - nothing except a tracking cookie.

I thought that my Internet software (AOL) might be corrupted - so I uninstalled it and reloaded it. The problem persisted so I gave up and went to bed.

I logged on this morning and everything worked fine. I had a suspicion that it might have something to do with an animated advert on the AOL home page yesterday. I dicussed it with a friend (who is a bit more computer savvy than me) and he thought that I was right and that the problem was due to not having Adobe Flashplayer on the desktop (which, as a result, couldn't cope with the animated advert)!

Now I think on it, I am regularly nagged about not having Flashplayer installed. This situation is f***ing ridiculous - for a variety of reasons!!

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19 May 09 - 03:50 PM (#2635977)
Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Crashes Every 10 Minutes
From: Joe Offer

Shimrod, the newer browsers are set to be very sensitive to anything on a Website that might cause a problem. You have to tweak them to get them to work on some Websites, and some Websites probably won't work at all because they have something obnoxious on them. I've noticed problems with both AOL and Comcast home pages, because both of them are far too cluttered with garbage. I haven't noticed any problems with the MSN, Yahoo, and iGoogle "Web Portal" home pages. If you have to use Comcast or AOL, you may want to add them to your "favorites," but not set them as the home page that opens when you open the browser.

Say, why not make Mudcat your home page?
[grin]

Another hint: resist the temptation to add toolbars to your browser. I don't mind the Google and Yahoo Web Portal, but the Google and Yahoo toolbars seem to have limited value and yet they add to the drain on your computer resources. If you don't use them constantly, don't allow them to take up space and resources on your browser. If you really have to have a toolbar, choose only one. One of my favorite nuns couldn't understand why her computer wasn't working - turns out she had six toolbars on her browser. I uninstalled the toolbars, and she felt like she had a new computer (and the usable part of her monitor screen was much larger, too).

I've noticed a lot of people have trouble with the AOL brower. I'd recommend that you use Firefox or (Microsoft's) Windows Internet Explorer. I've fixed a number of computers by simply uninstalling AOL software. If you're using an AOL dialup connection, you have to use AOL software. Otherwise, you don't. You can even access AOL e-mail on the Web without AOL software.

-Joe-

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20 May 09 - 02:45 AM (#2636301)
Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Crashes Every 10 Minutes
From: Gurney

AAAAH.   My mouses have stopped working! I tempted fate by saying everything worked, so it stopped! Windoze strikes back, or someone who doesn't like them!

So far, this Ubuntu harddrive seems unaffected, (as I've mentioned before, I swap power-plugs so that only one HD works at a time) and the carcase is sitting there with the covers off. Nothing seems to be even warm, the chip fan is the only thing operating, the graphics card is removed. Both mouses work on Ubuntu.
I suppose my best bet is to continue on Linux to see if this is a coincidental hardware fault, but it feels like an XP/Virus problem.

Now I'll HAVE to work out how to set up Evolution Mail. It keeps asking me thngs I don't understand. Maybe I should download Opera and set up it's mail program. The web is no problem, the setup in the broadband modem.

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20 May 09 - 03:18 AM (#2636315)
Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Crashes Every 10 Minutes
From: pavane

Back to Rabbi-Sol's problem

If the repair man was able to do a full scan in SAFE mode, does this not point to a software problem rather than hardware? Otherwise it would freeze in Safe mode as well?

I have an OLD machine (still on WIN95) which freezes in a similar way, but ONLY when running Windows, and usually only when working in WORD or Excel. It will run quite happily in MSDOS without freezing, so again, it seems to be some sort of software problem. Tried reinstalling Windows, no change.

(In case you ask, I still need the machine to run some 'obsolete' software for which I no longer have the install or setup code.)

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20 May 09 - 04:17 AM (#2636354)
Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Crashes Every 10 Minutes
From: GUEST,Shimrod

Thanks, Joe - that's very helpful.

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21 May 09 - 02:45 AM (#2637255)
Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Crashes Every 10 Minutes
From: GUEST,Gurney, booted from CD

OK, my mouse problem is similar, not the same, but cursor freezing or mad swings and random selections on both HDs, both distros, AND when booted from the Ubuntu CD.
The computer is OK when it is cold, but after about 20mins I'm expecting trouble, BUT it isn't consistent! Sometimes it will go for hours without trouble. Nothing inside is more than warm to the touch.

Current thinking is hardware, probably motherboard, but I'm open to suggestions. Keeping in mind that when I'm using one HD, the other is unpowered, and a different distro anyway.

A: I need a new computer.
B; I'm being personally attacked by the Borg!

I'll put this up before the mouse goes wrong. Again. And again.
Hope Sol hurries back on.

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21 May 09 - 04:54 PM (#2637933)
Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Crashes Every 10 Minutes
From: GUEST,Rabbi Sol

Still on my wife's computer (when she is not busy on it).

The repairman is still diagnosing the problem.

Hopefully I will get it back tonight or tomorrow.

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21 May 09 - 09:11 PM (#2638116)
Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Crashes Every 10 Minutes
From: GUEST,Rabbi Sol ( on my wife's computer)

The repairman called me tonight. He said that it is either the motherboard or the processor. He is 99% sure that it is the motherboard which is a $200 item to replace.

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22 May 09 - 05:31 AM (#2638342)
Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Crashes Every 10 Minutes
From: GUEST,Jon

It is a PC running Windows XP home. 1 gig of ram 260 GB hard drive. Intel Pentium 3

It's not worth spending money on. I don't know what you can get in the US (but you tend to be cheaper than here in the UK, sometime £1=$1) but have a look round, maybe get some advice here. Any entry level box will be far more than you have now.

At UK prices, I could buy a barebones system, put hard drive and dvd in for under £200.

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22 May 09 - 05:39 AM (#2638344)
Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Crashes Every 10 Minutes
From: GUEST,Jon

(brand new drives that is)

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22 May 09 - 09:13 AM (#2638449)
Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Crashes Every 10 Minutes
From: JohnInKansas

Minimums for a useful desktop in the US are in the $400 - $500 range. There are a few "bare bones" systems available from local builders in most areas that might get down to near $300, but they're mostly just the bones. If there's a possibility you may (willingly or otherwise) want/need to run Vista before the new machine dies, 2GB RAM should be considered the minimum acceptable. Almost all new machines here, including even the minimalist ones, are coming out of the box with 250GB hard drives, but you should check to make sure. Nearly everything now will have SAT drives rather than the EIDE used in older machines, but adding an extra drive usually isn't much of a problem with either if you match what you have.

It is harder now to get WinXP preinstalled, and you may have to pay more. If you're replacing a failed machine, you should be able to transfer the WinXP from the old one to the new one, but you'll have to check it out with Mickey.

Vista Home Basic will be "free" on almost anything you can buy now, and probably is sort of OK for most users, although I'd prefer Home Premium for my friends who ask for my help and Vista Business was better for me (despite a significant added cost and still not the top of the line). Even Microsoft admits that Vista is pretty much a lost cause, and some analysts say Windows 7 will be a big improvement, but it's likely to be some (few) months before you can get an economical machine with Win7, and quite a few more months for useful feedback on how good/bad it really is.

No matter what you do, save the old hard drive like it's made out of platinum and gold wrapped in egg shells until you get everything back in place - whether on a rebuilt machine or a new one.

John

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23 May 09 - 02:00 AM (#2639076)
Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Crashes Every 10 Minutes
From: Gurney

I took my thing down to a pal who interferes with computers, and has a P4 motherboard looking for a new home.
He thought he detected an irregularity in the running of the power supply, so we changed mine for one of his. The computer worked perfectly!!! Eight or nine boots, about 2 hours running, no problem.

Then I took it home. Hahahahaha, and other mad laughter!! The problem is back and it is even worse.

I must live on a Leyline or something.

I bloody hate intermittent problems!

Ah well. The other motherboard needed an updated power supply anyway.

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23 May 09 - 10:57 PM (#2639676)
Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Crashes Every 10 Minutes
From: GUEST,Rabbi Sol (on my wife's computer)

The repaiman says that this problem is beyond his ability to fix. He gave it over to another repairman (with my permission) who is going to start on it tomorrow morning.

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24 May 09 - 12:12 AM (#2639703)
Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Crashes Every 10 Minutes
From: GUEST,.gargoyle

Suggest to the tech - Ice Cubes

Sincerely
Gargoyle

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25 May 09 - 09:41 PM (#2640904)
Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Crashes Every 10 Minutes
From: Rabbi-Sol

Back again on my own computer, finally. Spent all day with the tech. Itwas a very dangerous Trojan Horse virus that Trend Micro failed to detect and stop that was turning off all the registries and shutting down the computer. To make matters worse it had also spread to my wife's computer via the network cable. The repairman installed AVG which finally deyected the virus. He then cleaned everything out of both computers as well as my wallet to the tune of $375.   Ouch! That really hurt.

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26 May 09 - 05:48 AM (#2641047)
Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Crashes Every 10 Minutes
From: GUEST,Jon

I wrote one as a joke in our house, Gargoyle. It was a seasonal one. Say 50 key strokes would trigger the playing of "We Wish You A Merry Christmas".

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26 May 09 - 11:19 PM (#2641615)
Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Crashes Every 10 Minutes
From: Rabbi-Sol

I paid the guy by check. He is very well respected in our community and he knows what he is doing. He stands behind his work and will return gratis if the problem re-appears to fix it.

He also told me that if my mother board ever goes I will have to get a new computer because they no longer make one like it anymore. If I did have to get an new computer he would clone my hard drive for me so that I do not lose any of my current programs or stored data.

SOL

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27 May 09 - 04:38 AM (#2641695)
Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Crashes Every 10 Minutes
From: GUEST,Jon

Well you probably could fit new motherboard with new processor and memory (which incidentally some places over here can supply built as a unit, eg. this) into the old case, and probably with that one, a new power supply would be needed too. I think a time comes when you might as well have new everything though.

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27 May 09 - 02:33 PM (#2642066)
Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Crashes Every 10 Minutes
From: Rabbi-Sol

We will cross that bridge when we come to it. Hopefully by then the economy will improve and I will be able to afford it.

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28 May 09 - 07:56 AM (#2642637)
Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Crashes Every 10 Minutes
From: robomatic

I caught a nasty virus at WORK once that our IT department could not remove (without wiping the C Drive) It was actually a malware called VUNDO. It let me operate but severely slowed me down if I ventured on the internet.

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