I have a computer that is about 7 years old and it was working very well up to about a year ago. Ever since then my computer crashes when I'm doing ordinary stuff. I have a 512mb ram and 20 GB Hardrive, pentium 3 computer. For all the minor things like homework and web-serfing that I do, it was a great computer. Now it just crashes when I'm on the wed, typing, or even when nothing is going on. I'm just reading a book and my computer is sitting there, and it crashes. I have formatted my computer numerous times, I have Norton Antivirus, Webroot Spy-sweeper, Ad-aware, and spyware blaster, so I don't think It's spyware issues. What could be causing my computer to crash?
2007-03-11 09:04:53 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Desktops
The most common reason for this sort of thing is overheating of the CPU. Try using a compressed air can to blow out the interior of your case, and check to see if the CPU and Power Supply fans are operating well. If not, take it to a repair shop for a fix, unless you're capable of doing any repairs yourself. Hope this helps.
2007-03-11 09:10:33 · answer #1 · answered by Jolly 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Dude, I'm running on a computer that's almost a decade old. I've never had it crash on its own. Almost anything will crash if it overheats.
Make sure your computer is free of dust on the inside. Use a can of compressed air. Compressed air won't create static or moisture, which are two things you don't want near your computer
If it doesn't help the problem, check that your hard drives aren't crammed in adjacent drive bays. You want there to be airflow in between everything.
If that doesn't work, you may want to consider adding fans in your case. You can do this a few different ways: you can buy a new case that has more fans and move everything into that case. You could just stick a fan in the grid in the back of the case with screws.
If you still are having problems, double check that your CPU's heatsink hasn't become dislodged. The heatsink is the big metal thing with lots of fins sticking up out of it. The actual CPU is right underneath. You'll know which one the CPU is, as it has the largest heatsink or fan on the motherboard. You'll need to get a tube of heatsink paste and put a very thin film on the CPU die to reattach the heatsink.
I believe you can use your Windows CD to repair your operating system, however I recommend a backup before you try anything major.
If you're still having troubles, I'd recommend that you back up all of your personal data before you reinstall the operating system. It is a major pain in the butt, however you shouldn't have any problems afterwards. You just need to get all of your installation CDs for all of the programs you have installed, as reinstalling the operating system uninstall all of the programs, too.
Also, having four different antiviruses isn't that good of an idea, as none of these are really meant to work with each other. Pick one, maybe two, and keep it (or them) updated.
2007-03-11 10:08:42 · answer #2 · answered by stupidpeopletookallthenames 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I can't say for certain with out examining the computer, but I'd guess your HD is failing. If your HD is 7 years old then it's time to get a new one. They don't last very long.
I'd recomend getting a new and bigger HD (they're cheap), then setting the old one as the master drive and the new one as the slave drive. (get a geek friend to help you out with the instalation and jumper settings) Use a program to clone the HD (do a google search, lots of free ones out their like HDClone) and then reverse the master/slave settings. Then you should be good to go. Don't throw away your old HD. You might want to keep it for back up just in case. Also any data that's ever been stored on your old HD will still be there, even if you have deleted years ago.
2007-03-11 09:51:27 · answer #3 · answered by Amrou 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
properly what happens once you throw a rock at a window? It crashes perfect, comparable ingredient with Microsoft abode windows. Vista had numerous patches attempting to repair it, in case you ignored one in all 2 of the patches it may supply you the subject concerns you're having.
2016-10-01 23:01:52 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi. After 7 years there is a herd of dust bunnies living inside. Just remove the case side and blow the dust out. (Do not vacuum it out as this can cause static. Reverse the hose so it is blowing.) Check the heatsink, fans, and ventilation holes as well. Glad you are keeping a good machine alive!
2007-03-11 09:09:22 · answer #5 · answered by Cirric 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I had a 233mhz machine up until this year and never had a problem with it and I installed xp when it came out But it probably is a overheating issue if not a hardware problem When i Installed xp I put a bigger psu and more fans. bigger fans on the heat sink and it worked perfectly until it got hit by lightning
2007-03-11 09:19:11 · answer #6 · answered by Cman 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its Dying..Dig Hole In Backyard Make Stone,Bury Old . Go to Best Buy Get New....lol
2007-03-11 09:13:43 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Age, Worn-Out Sectors, self-destructive Windows maintenance, take your pick...
2007-03-17 08:57:11 · answer #8 · answered by S2 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
for every thing there is a limit and ur comp is 7 years
maybe you should buy another one
2007-03-11 09:09:53 · answer #9 · answered by kimo g 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋