What is causing my computer to freeze up?

Question

If I leave the compuer for a long while it freezes and doesn't respond to any comands. I have to turn it off and back on , some times several times to get it to boot back up . It doesn't matter if I log off or not . Any ideas?

Answer 1

Pull your computer case away from the wall or cubby and give it sufficient airflow around the case. It may be overheating. If there's a whine, one of the fan bearings may be going out and not removing enough heat. You may even need to put an extra fan on the back to pull extra air or add a side mounted fan. If you still have problems, it may be a program using all of your CPU. The best way to check that is to press ctrl+alt+esc and choose processes. doubleclick CPU twice. Normally System Idle Process will be at the top or near top. Any program that runs with a high CPU will more than likely be the culprit especially if the thread priority is changed higher than normal. If any process takes up a lot of CPU right-click on that process and choose priority and choose one less than it currently is and see if that helps.

Answer 2

You have a heat buildup, either a fan is slowing down, hard to tell, unless it squeals!

Check the PSU, the CPU fan, and possibly add a case fan exhausting out the rear upper part of the case.

Add the exhaust fan especially if you have added a second drive of any kind! Fans fail, and need to be cleaned, replaced, about every 14 to 18 months!

Answer 3

It can be anything, but one place to start is your memory sticks.

I'm guessing you can identify memory slots and memory sticks? If so, after taking standard precautions, remove all memory sticks, and place in, the minimum required number to bring the machine up. See if it freezes up. If so, try with different stick.

A LOT of the time, less expensive memory sticks or even expensive (but defective) ones can bring instability like the one you described.

Also, check to make sure all of your fans are moving, and pumping air. Overheating can cause similar symptoms too.

Other than that, it'd be nearly impossible to diagnose without having it on my bench.

Answer 4

I guess you have enabled either Stand By mode or Hibernation Options.

Check the following:
1. Goto Control Panel.
2. Open Power Options.
3. Check Advanced and Hibernate Tabs.
4. If they are enabled, disable them and try.

These two options are good - as they save power. I would advise you to configure them per your requirement.

Answer 5

It could be a number of things like low memory, low hard disk space, malicious software, corrupt data on hard drive, and incompatible software.

Make sure you have enough resources (memory, hard drive space), delete unused programs, get spybot http://www.spybot.com/ and Ad-ware http://www.lavasoft.de/ and run a check on your system. Add ram, do a disk defragment after uninstalling unneeded software.

Answer 6

you should check to see what programs are running at the same time.to do this press and hold down ctrl and alt then press delete,this will show you what programs are running at the same time,then you can close the unnecessary programs from there.
Hope this helps,does for me.
Carolyn

Answer 7

Yeah, it's most likely overheating. Download this (which will also tell you your voltages): http://www.almico.com/sfdownload.php It's either overheating, or your power supply doesn't have enough power. That application will tell you which is causing the problem.

Answer 8

you need more memory
if not a better CPU
if that fails get a screen saver

Answer 9

You have to much information or downloads on it.

Answer 10

there are lotts of reasons y: may not have enough memory, might be viruses....etc.