Help! My New Computer Keeps Freezing!

**cheesepuff** · #1 15th Apr 2009, 19:41

When i try to use programs like 3Dmark06 or certain games like Crysis my computer freezes! my specs are as shown in my signature. why does this happen?

**4D(Fordy(Ford) Ollie** · #2 16th Apr 2009, 08:38

First guess would be that it doesn't like the OC, try putting it back to stock and see what happens.

**cheesepuff** · #3 16th Apr 2009, 17:40

tried that. nothing changes. this is not hardware problem. did hard core diagnostics on it. i think is a driver issue or something. i cant even start the game up. it just freezes when i try. everything is on stock settings. I get BSOD's some times, or the screen just turns pink and i cant do anything. I just installed an XP OEM from 3 years ago and its not updated all the way. well, its not even to the point where its Microsoft update rather than Windows update. could this be a problem? my internt gets cut off quite a bit...

**katana** · #4 17th Apr 2009, 04:28

i had a similar problem, except replace freezing with crashing randomly during programs. and i couldnt access the internet, or even ping the network.

this happened in 3DMark, photoshop and Left 4 Dead

i tried updating all drivers, i hadnt overclocked at all and there were no hardware conflicts.

so what i did was reload windows, after the reload, everything works perfectly.

the only difference between the new install and the old one is i didnt install norton antivirus!!

i have XP Pro SP2,

i would suggest backing up the hdd, downloading as many updates as possible for windows, uninstall norton antivirus (if you have it :P)

and if all else fails, reload, back up data and programs that dont freeze

**philthomas** · #5 17th Apr 2009, 06:29

Have you checked your Ram voltage is set correctlt in bios ..... if set to Auto try setting manually and see if this helps (2.0-2.1V)

mypctechs · #6 25th Apr 2009, 19:04

90% of the time, the issue you're describing is caused by the graphics card.

It could be a power issue (the system doesn' t have enough power to juice the card. You can test this by buying a more powerful power supply).

It could be a driver issue (you can test this by buying a different brand of video card, if Nvidia go ATi or vice Versa. Remove the old card and replace with the new using all new drivers).

I would try both of these steps first before wiping out the system and starting with a fresh OS. If you do a fresh OS install, the first thing you should do is install the video card drivers and the game/app that was causing the problem before and NOTHING ELSE. Then run it. If it doesn't lock up, you know a particular piece of software is to blame. Re-install applications slowly, one at a time, until you find the one causing the problem.

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**philthomas** · #7 26th Apr 2009, 03:32

It's always possible to get an "iffy" PSU, but I dont think he will do better than the CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX (750 WATT) he already has .... these are excellent PSUs.

**4D(Fordy(Ford) Ollie** · #8 26th Apr 2009, 03:37

Also buying a new PSU isn't testing.. it's solving..

As Phil says when his PSU's already fine, forking out another hundred odd quid isn't "testing" it's attempting a solution.. that's not a solution.

**cheesepuff** · #9 26th Apr 2009, 19:03

its weird. over time is stopped doing it as much, and then stopped messing up all together...i didn't even do anything. weird. its like a wound, it slowly fixed itself over time.

**4D(Fordy(Ford) Ollie** · #10 27th Apr 2009, 08:56

!!

Well afterall, mice are living things too.

We must respect animal rights.