WEIRD freezing problem :(

[peterish]

In the past few days my computer has been freezing up for no reason whatsoever. I could be doing anything or using a wide variety of programs, and the CPU would make a loud click, then freeze completely a few seconds later. When it freezes the "busy" light on the CPU would also remain lit.

After it happens nothing seems to work, and the monitor displays whatever was on the screen at the time. The computer doesn't take input from mouse or keyboard, and so I just manually reboot. It could happen anytime; I've found no correlation between the program I'm using or how long the computer has been on.

I have no idea why this is happening, please help!

[Porthos SG1]

Sounds like a hardware issue. Incompatibility, or perhaps a dying component.

[Ryan V]

I also have that exact same problem on SP1 and SP2. What are your computer specz?

[SiL3NC3]

i had a thing that my comp would restart whenever it wanted as well. however i think my problem was that my multiplyer was to high in the bios and the voltage settings were setup as well.. dunno thats wat a friend told me. :)

[peterish]

i have a compaq presario 6000 desktop

2.4 ghz

512 memory

40 gb hard drive

[ootput]

In the past few days my computer has been freezing up for no reason whatsoever. I could be doing anything or using a wide variety of programs, and the CPU would make a loud click, then freeze completely a few seconds later. When it freezes the "busy" light on the CPU would also remain lit.

After it happens nothing seems to work, and the monitor displays whatever was on the screen at the time. The computer doesn't take input from mouse or keyboard, and so I just manually reboot. It could happen anytime; I've found no correlation between the program I'm using or how long the computer has been on.

I have no idea why this is happening, please help!

What kind of steps have you taken so far?

Might I suggest Memtest, Regseeker etc etc?

Also, have you modified any bios settings recently? Check APIC settings..

[russellc]

i used to have a random freezing problem. so in the past, my form of fixing problems i'm too lazy to fix is by formatting. it worked like a charm

[peterish]

I did not change anything recently. The only thing I can think of is a virus... But im kind of a noob at this.

And whats memtest and regseeker ?

[Dr.Jones]

a "click" and then it freezes, and the light stays lit ?

My guess is you're talking about the "HD-is-busy light", and that might mean your HD is fubar...

[ootput]

Memtest is an intensive Mem tester. I've had it identify soo many problems in the past, I don't know where I'd be without it.

Regseeker searches for Registry errors. Best free product I've found so far (not including firefox + proxomitron.)

[erp]

I have a compaq presario 5300 and it used to do the same thing. I tracked it down to a buggy network card driver losing the DNS, every time it did the desktop would freeze. I remedied it by using national semiconductor drivers for the built in ethernet. the "nat-semi" drivers are kinda generic and are easy to find and download. They work better than the windows driver or the compaq ones.

I hope that helps.

[ElectricDemon]

sounds like either your hard disk is on its way out, or a PSU issue