Computer Randomly Freezing

[Hey2]

I am somewhat competant with normal basic hardware/software problems, but I can't figure what is wrong with my desktop. I will be in windows (Windows ME), and it will just freeze with no error message, and I have to completely reset my computer. I don't think this is a software problem. I've played around with my startup files and started in safe mode (it freezes there also). It doesn't consistently happen with any specific software either, or at any specific time. I can have my computer on for 15min or 1 hour and it can just freeze on me. I have a Athelon Thunderbird Slot 850MHZ. I am thinking that I might have to replace the motherboard/cpu, but I want to consult with you guys first. Could it be the video card? Or is it probably the MB/CPU?


Thanks for your help!!!

 

[dexmanone]

Have you checked the PSU or for heat probs?

 

[Hey2]

I checked the temperature and it is at 120F. How do I check the PSU?

 

[Hey2]

I checked the temperature and it is at 120F. How do I check the PSU?

 

[MikeFeury]

Hey Hey,

Sounds like hardware.

Have you had this problem since you got the PC new?
Or did previous owner have same prob?

If not, did you make any hardware change shortly before this started happening? Or big software change?

2 suggestions:
1. Check every cable. Unplug it at both ends, and reconnect.
2. Same with all cards & RAM - remove and reseat.

Very likely it's a connection problem somewhere.

 

[daveshel]

If it happens in safe mode, it isn't the operating system. If it is cooling related, you should see a fairly regular interval between boot and lockup, depending on ambient temperature and how long it was off. So you might have RAM, cache memory, or a motherboard chip that is flaking out intermittantly. RAM is easy to test if you have more than one stick, cache can be disabled in the BIOS for troubleshooting. Board problems are harder to diagnose, especially when intermittant.