New PC I built is Locking up on me...

[snapware]

What generally causes a computer to freeze?

In the middle of use, machine locks up, and can't move mouse or do anything. What causes this? Will post more details tomorrow, but very tired now, any advice please can help, thanks

[parallax1]

Drivers.

[ROF]

A locking up computer can be reduced to 3 different categories:

Drivers and other software conflicts.
Dying Hardware.
Overheated Component(s).

Tomorrow or whenever you get chance post your complete system specs including all hardware make and models. Include what operating system and service pack you are running. Include any software packages you have installed and make sure to explain in more detail locking up. When it happens. Anything you can do to make it lock. etc.

[redwudz]

Or it could be something running that's overloading the CPU. Check the Device Manager and check CPU and memory usage. Also processes and programs.

Other that that, more info would be needed.

[snapware]

OK Thanks.

Specs:
Intel Pentium D 930 3.0 Ghz
NVIDIA GeForce 7600
Gigabyte i-DNA series Motherboard
1 Gig of DDR2 Ram

Now, tell me if this makes a difference or not... My original Abit motherboard stopped working on me, so I swapped motherboards with the new Gigabyte one. I figured it was the same chipset so i did not reload my harddrive. Will that affect it?

[MOVIEGEEK]

What OS?
It's best to do a clean install but sometimes it's ok just to load the drivers that came with the new motherboard.
I would remove all PCI cards and peripherals(eg printer,scanner,etc) and plug them in one at a time to see if they are the problem.
Try Crap Cleaner(fix issues) or Norton Utilities to see if it's a registry problem.

[snapware]

OS = Windows XP SP2

[budz]

I'd suggest you do a clean install of xp. I did the same thing with one of my computers and I had problems with programs not running correctly. After doing a clean install of xp with the new motherboard I had no problems.

[snapware]

Wow.

My PC just turned off and refused to go back on. I was in the middle of playing Madden 07 on it, and it just went black and couldn't turn back on when i push the power button. I went out, a couple hour laters and now it's on again. I don't trust it, something must be wrong.

Thoughts?

[kush]

Perhaps your memory is shot? Just because it's new doesn't mean you didn't get a bum set - try Memtest+ http://www.memtest.org/ . There's also a Windows based tester available thru M$, but I don't know how good it is.

Also, you didn't post the complete specs as requested..Eg: brand/model of your PSU? Don't expect some $20 "best buy" or something that is included with a case to be any good (generally not with a few exceptions, eg Antec).

[edit] The comment on full install of XP could be right on as well..Need more info on both your current board, and what model/chipset of your old Abit...THere's a chance of getting an easy swap board to board if you go from say an Abit NF4 based board to the GB NF4 based..But NF4 -> NF5 (or in your case perhaps Intel) is asking for trouble. Even same chipset swap, I'd just format and reinstall if I were you to be safe, assuming there's nothing important on the system - otherwise backup the stuff first...

Also, as stated before by someone, take down your system to bare minimum parts..Board, gfx, cpu, memory, 1xHD (assuming you have multiple), and go from there seeing which parts are at fault.

[ybeard]

Well, if you changed motherboards, then don't assume that the chipsets are the same. Load the drivers for the motherboard that you have. They likely came on a CD with your board.

Memory can also cause your problem, as could a power supply that is being maxxed out. Are you overclocking? Heat? Lots of possibilities exist before one even considers.... Windows.

[free is better]

i agree with the suggestion that the hard drive may be causing problems. Motherboard set-up and os installation involves specific drivers. As a rule of thumb it is good to take advantage of the motherboard replacement as an excellent time to do spring cleaning and give the main drive a good wipe and start fresh. Maintaining the 3 computers in my house calls for numerous overhauls bringing to mind a situation not unlike yours. Pressed for time i did a motherboard change and used the same hard drive. It worked but would crash from time to time and one particular program did not work right. it wasn't until i performed my usual routine of wiping the drive and reloading my apps that the computer performed correctly.

[Spaceentity]

I'd check you power supply also, hopefully it's >350 watts and from a good manufacturer.

[snapware]

It was a 500 Watt power supply, but my computer was acting funky. Locking up on me twice and then rebooted in the middle of nowhere. I think it may be a power supply problem. Switching it now.

[Faustus]

If you were playing a game it and it shut down and wouldn't come back on I'd suggest looking in two main areas.

Problematic PSU or Heat issues.

[BetaMaster]

My @#%^ technician sold me an upgrade where the CPU was overclocked and I had very similar problems. It would run fine for about 1 hour a day, then it kept crashing. The next day, it was fine for another hour. I suggest the CPU might be overheating.

[snapware]

Do you think it's possible the ram might be bad or defective?

[SingSing]

Do you think it's possible the ram might be bad or defective?

That is the first place, most people will looked, especially, if you have more than one stick of memory.Have only the clean install of XP with one HD, and no add-on cards, and WITH ONE STICK of memory AT A TIME. Run your software, and find out how stable is your PC.

[ROF]

Do you think it's possible the ram might be bad or defective?

That is the first place, most people will looked, especially, if you have more than one stick of memory.Have only the clean install of XP with one HD, and no add-on cards, and WITH ONE STICK of memory AT A TIME. Run your software, and find out how stable is your PC.

After doing this and whether you have bad RAM or not you will almost immediately see how your overall system performance is effected and what a great investment more RAM really was. That is if the RAM is not bad RAM.

[RLT69]

It was a 500 Watt power supply, but my computer was acting funky. Locking up on me twice and then rebooted in the middle of nowhere. I think it may be a power supply problem. Switching it now.

Power supply. Friend of mine had a similar problem - spontaneous reboot - replaced a few components, then figured out it was the power supply.

Also, you never swap out motherboards and don't reinstall OS and Chipset drivers. Unless it's the same board, you will have problems. If you want a stable system, don't take short cuts

[ROF]

Also, you never swap out motherboards and don't reinstall OS and Chipset drivers. Unless it's the same board, you will have problems. If you want a stable system, don't take short cuts

Some people claim that within the same brand name they can always use the same. I have found this to be untrue. I always reinstall the OS and chipset drivers. I agree that it should be logical when using the same board but for me I prefer to start fresh anyways. With the proliferation of broadband it makes no sense to say a complete reinstall and updating takes too long.

[RLT69]

Some people claim that within the same brand name they can always use the same. I have found this to be untrue.

Good point.

I was thinking along the lines of replaced the MB with the exact same model and the exact same revision number.

[bevills1]

Even with exact same MB there can be different bios versions, and drivers that come with any MB should be installed. Also bios updates can often resolve some problems.

[snapware]

I am going to do a clean install of windows tonight. That is the only thing I didn't do when i switched Motherboards (Abit to Gigabyte). I also swapped the power supply which seems to have helped my system.