Computer Keeps Locking up.

DrK · 19-08-2005, 17:26

Hey Hey my first post in this section. be sure glad of any ideas to fix my problem.

Ive got one of them crazy mini nuclear power station p4 prescotts.

its worked fine for nearly a year, got temps down to 21C~~50C max down to good airflow.

suddenly for no reason i can firgue out, its started locking up/freezing/hanging.

it will do it at anytime.. from 5mins after a reboot to 12hours later.

from what ive learnt so far, it will do it, with just windows running right up to 20+apps running at the same time.
Ive uninstalled everythink i have installed since it started, run regi cleaners, anti virus scans,spyware, defragged and defragged.

checked harddrives

im at a complete loss.

any help would be brilliant.

pent4 2.8E prescott
Dual Patriot DDR400
Radeon VGA
2xmaxtor HD

19-08-2005, 17:33

Have you run memtest and prime95?

http://www.memtest86.com/ either download cd iso or floppy iso boot from it

http://www.mersenne.org/freesoft.htm select just stress testing this will test cpu

Paul K · 19-08-2005, 17:33

Have you checked your hardware? Memory, power supply etc?

DrK · 19-08-2005, 17:44

thanks for quick replies.

no i havent tried the memory test. i did do a cpu burn in.. few days ago. everything was ok.

power supply its still spinning. 500watt job i think.

i will run the mem tests and get back you .

thanks again.

nffc · 19-08-2005, 18:23

What temp is it now?

Try turning it into safe mode, and the BIOS, and seeing if it freezes in either if you leave it idling for, say 45 mins.

DrK · 19-08-2005, 18:35

just running the mem test on it at the moment, no errors so far, as for the temps, yes i keep a eye on them... its the part and parcel of owning a prescott(i had no idea about the heat issues when i bought it)
yes i have been dropping in bios after it locks up and checking the temp highest ive seen is 48C, on my windows based temp sensor its 45Cmax

nffc · 19-08-2005, 18:53

48 is too high for an Intel but well within range for an AMD.

Drop it into the BIOS and leave it as I said. If it locks in there, nailed it's over heating...

DrK · 19-08-2005, 18:53

Mem test was fine. no errors. i assume i did it right, lasted 60mins on the 4th pass?

Its a Prescott bro. ask around and read around anyone whos lucky enough have one idle under 40C is dam lucky.

when i first had it... it was running at 67/8C under load and thats regarded as normal for a Prescott.

But i am leaning towards it being a cpu issue now, i will reseat the cpu tomorrow sometime and get some compressed air inside that case.