[RobT]

Forgive me for asking a newbie question with (probably) insufficent information and (possibly) for posting in the wring forum. Lately my computer seems to inexplicably freeze for no good reason, and I'm beginning to think it may be a video card or video driver problem. Here's what I've noticed:
- The problem doesn't seem to occur when I'm in safe mode
- It seems to happen most often when I'm actively online (i.e. - downloading or on the net)
- Even when it is working, I get the "Windows Explorer closed unexpectedly" message on a regular basis
- The computer is totally unresponsive (including Ctl+Alt+Del), but the mouse still moves around, the animation on the mouse is active, and the NUM LOCK key on the keyboard works.

I have reinstalled XP a couple of times, but the problem persists. I have an ATI Saphire (RADEON) X300SE video card and an AMD Athlon 64 bit 3000+ (1.8 GH) CPU.

Thanks in advance for the help!! It's gotten to the point where the only way I can operate my computer with any degree of confidence is in safe mode!

[Hybr!d]

1st.

Check all your fans are present and correct, make sure the CPU and if your graphics card has a fan are not hotter than they should be.

2nd.

If you have two sticks of RAM remove on and if the problem still persists swap and run the other. This will rule out the RAM.

2rd.

Borrow a graphics card if your sure its that, even buy a cheap £15 one off dabs or eBuyer and test it.

If all that fails you may have cooked you CPU at some point of which now it falls over when it gets warm.

Dave.

[Garigoun]

Hi I'm a newbie just joined today. I have the same prob. pc freezes, sometimes every few minutes, sometimes it goes 1/2 hour or so. Pointer not responsive, Ctrl-Alt-Del no good, power switch no good. Only way to get out is to press reset button or turn off at wall socket. Driving me bonkers. CPU temp 39/40deg. System temp ditto. fan runnin, good ventilation space. It freezes whether i'm using it or not. Visited shop where it was made up, advised complete restore. Did that - Lost everything had to pay someone to set it up again and still it freezes. Running windows xp home. Networked wirelessly with a laptop which has no problems.
Anybody any ideas please??
G.

[Hybr!d]

Go onto your bios and turn the CPU clock down so the PC runs slower and cooler, even tho' you bios says the fan speed is OK this does not mean your CPU is not cooked.

I say this as if you have done a complete restore than its got to be ram or CPU.

If it runs fine when turned down your CPU or fan is at fault.

Also if you have 2 sticks of ram try running with just one, if there is no change try running with the other. Its unlikely both are faulty so that would rule them out or not.

Dave.

[Hybr!d]

Also, in future please start your own topic.

Thanks.