Thread: computer freezing

  1. #1
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    computer freezing

    My computer keeps freezing and I can't figure why.

    It usaully happens when I am running dev-c++ 4.9.9.1 (the newest one).

    We got a...

    AMD athlon 2.08Ghz
    512 ddr ram
    64mb intergraded graphics card
    no sound card
    windows xp home

    and it is a HP Compaq Presario

    but it was referbished.


    It worked fine untill abotu 3 days ago when I got dev-c++ 4.9.9.1

    Any ideas at least?

  2. #2
    5|-|1+|-|34|) ober's Avatar
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    Does it return control after a short period or do you have to reboot? How many processes are running at the time it freezes? Have you installed anything new recently? Have you checked for spyware, virii, etc?

  3. #3
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    ok...

    no spy/ad ware and no viruses. I have ben checking alot now.

    It could be as many as 5 programs running to 1 program running.

    I have to reboot because EVERYTHING freezes. This includes the "hard drive light", it freezes the light on. I hold the power button to turn off and turn back on.


    Oh and one more question....

    When you turn the computer off with the power button, does it wreck the computer in any way?

  4. #4
    erstwhile
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    Quote Originally Posted by Prune Hunter
    It worked fine untill abotu 3 days ago when I got dev-c++ 4.9.9.1
    Then uninstall that version and reinstall a previous version that does work.
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  5. #5
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    yah but now it has ben freezing wile I was workign in gamemaker, and other things.

    I don't think it is dev-cpp any more.

  6. #6
    yes, I'm registered!!! algi's Avatar
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    just retrace your steps. Uninstall stuff, that led to your computer Freezing.

  7. #7
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    yah I got the old version of dev-cpp again. The new one didn't even work, so I fixed 1 problem.

    And maybe the freezing was do to over heating?

  8. #8
    I am he who is the man! Stan100's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Rune Hunter
    ...

    And maybe the freezing was do to over heating?
    Ah the irony. Seriously, who's idea was it to call it "freezing"?

    BTW, compaqs are SUPER crazy when it comes to parts and changing them. A refurbished compaq probably doesn't have all the original parts, and sometimes compaqs mess up due to that. Trust me, I had one for a while
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  9. #9
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    Well, we just installed our video card, so I am hoping that will help.

    And we are wondering if we put a fan that blow air out of the computer would help. I ask that because the bios says our computer is about 140 degrees farenhight.

    Thank you

  10. #10
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    When you turn the computer off with the power button, does it wreck the computer in any way?
    Potentially, yes. When you shut down manually the computer does a lot of cleanup tasks, and waits for processes to finish so you don't have data only half-finished when you start up. Unfortunately, when the OS doesn't work, it's a risk you have to take.

  11. #11
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    ok well now our disk drives are not working!

    We got a dvd and a ragular cd rom drive. Both are not working, opening, or registering to the computer!

  12. #12
    Arggggh DeepFyre's Avatar
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    try picking up a new one and see if it works, if it doesnt then you know that there is probably a single problem causing all of the others, and not just your hardware breaking apart
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  13. #13
    verbose cat
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    Is there a pattern to the freezing? Can you reliably cause it to freeze? If you can, then post what you do to make it freeze. If it is a random thing then it could be a hardware failure.

    I am not familiar with Compaq or refurbished versions thereof, but one piece of hardware that could easily make the computer lock up randomly like this is the power supply.

    If you go into BIOS and it has a hardware monitor, take a look at the voltages. You don't really have to understand everything there, but for the 12v listing, it should be within a few % of 12.0 volts, 5v and 3.3v should also be within a few % of those figures. If they are low, your power supply isn't putting out enough power and it's causing the computer to lock up when the power load becomes too great for it. If those numbers look fine, it could still be the power supply, but I don't think it as likely then.

  14. #14
    and the hat of int overfl Salem's Avatar
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    It sounds like whoever refurbished the machine either
    - didn't fit the CPU fan properly
    - didn't put any heatsink compound between the processor and the heatsink
    - is massively overclocking something (processor, RAM)
    - didn't fit a board properly (is loose or mis-aligned)

    Do you have one of the variable speed / temperature sensing fans? Is it set up correctly (BIOS?), is the sensor in a good place and is the sensor working?

    Are there any tools here (or other places http://www.google.com/search?q=cpu+temperature+monitor )
    http://www.passmark.com/products/temperature.htm
    which can help you track temperature related problems.

    > It worked fine untill abotu 3 days ago when I got dev-c++ 4.9.9.1
    > yah but now it has ben freezing wile I was workign in gamemaker, and other things.
    > I don't think it is dev-cpp any more.
    So basically, it's only when you start actively doing stuff, which puts a load on the processor to cause it to do more work (and thus generate more heat).

    Code:
    int main ( ) {
        while( 1 );  /* try and fry that CPU! */
        return 0;
    }
    If it is a work (heat) related problem, then this little program should show it up pretty quickly.

  15. #15
    It's full of stars adrianxw's Avatar
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    One of my machines was doing that, the Northbridge chip was overheating. Try adjusting your clock speed down, if it runs okay slowly, then it probably means something is getting too hot. Hard freezes are not usually caused by software, rather the software is creating a higher then usual load on an iffy component.
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