Computer keeps locking up

[zanos]

My computer locks up every single day after a few hours and I get messages like I'm out of system resources which is not even the case. Anyone have a similiar experience and know a fix other than reinstalling windows xp again? Btw this is a fresh install on a brand new hard drive with barely anything in it.

[LSchafroth]

Take everything out of it but the video card and let it sit and see if it continues. Add one component at a time.

Wouldn't hurt to turn down any agressive timings in the BIOS.

What motherboard? What chipset? What video card? What brand of RAM?

LS

[SaSi]

I had a similar problem a few months ago with Win2K and traced it down to be a problem of the nVidia video driver. To find it, I re-installed the OS and worked my way through installing one driver at a time and taking ghost images after every step. (cruel but it paid off).

I realized that the nvidia driver I had downloaded (the latest a the time) didn't have a Windows compatibility testing so reverted back to the most recent version that had it.

The offending nvidia driver was the "forceware" type. Went back to the conventional driver and since than I'm happy (using a GEForce4 MX440)

[handyguy]

Be easier if we knew what kind of computer it is.

[gitreel]

I have that problem with my main computer. The one that I do all my video work on. I traced it to the update rollup that came out earlier this year. Unfortunately I had restore turned off, so I had to hose the stsyem and start over. So far it has taken three days, and I still do not have all my programs reinstalled.

[redwudz]

I would start by opening the Task Manager and check applications, processes and performance. Also the most obvious would be your CPU overheating. You have a new hard drive; is the whole system new? Has it always done this or is it recent such as a software, driver install or just a hardware change?

[zanos]

no it's never done this before but then again I did install a newer version of XP pro than the one i had before and I'm booting up from an sata hd rather than ide. I didn't rule out a hardware problem but it seemed unlikely. Although the computer locks up by itself it doesn't restart unless I start clicking away or closing applications. If it was overheating I have to assume the computer would just restart, turn itself off or burn out overnight when I'm not monitoring it.

Btw my computer details is listed in the 'computer details' tab. Just scroll your mouse over it and you'll see mine as well yours and anyone elses'

[gitreel]

It could be a windows update

[redwudz]

You might post your exact error messages. Or do a search for them in the MS database. It doesn't sound like overheating, more like the OS isn't releasing resources, resulting in lockup. So far, sounds like more of an OS problem. Gitreel is correct in that it may be a windows update problem. I would still get Task Manager running and monitor what is happening in the system as the day goes on. You can also disable programs running by using 'end process' in Task Manager to see if you can find the problem process.

[offline]

booting up from an sata hd rather than ide

hmm...

See if the following helps.

Start > Run > type "shutdown -a" (without the quotes) > Enter

[zanos]

ok I'll try that but can you tell me what's that supposed to do? Btw thanks to everyone for all the suggestions. I did take note of the error (1450) when it popped up again. Apparently the fix for this is to download the windows 2000/NT service pack because this problem seems to be related to those operatings systems. Go figure I'm using XP pro. Somehow I don't think that will work on my computer. Plus I did download and attempt to install it before it crashed on the first click. I hate my life.