Random PC freeze

[apple tango]

Hello,

Over the last few days or so my PC has been randomly freezing. It does it regardless of what i'm doing. When it happens, its a total freeze. I can't move the mouse, use the keyboard, or ctrl alt delete. The only solution is to hit the restart button.

I have updated my GPU drivers (also use Driver Sweeper to remove unused files), mobo chipset drivers, and the on board sound drivers.

I have done spyware/virus checks.

I have two sticks of RAM, so i have tried using one at a time and swapping them around but it didn't solve the problem.

I have checked the temperatures of the CPU, GPU and hard drives. They all run at 24C to 30C with the GPU around 45C to 50C, so nothing seems to be overheating.

I have also reset the BIOS settings to default.

The computer is quite a new build. Maybe one month old or so.

Specs:

XP SP3
Q6600 at 2.4ghz (stock)
Corsair 2GB DDR2 6400
9800 GTX
600W StealthXStream PSU
Asus P5Q mobo

Can anyone think of anything else i can try? I could format the hard drive but i am worried the system will freeze during the installation of Windows. Plus, i can't be bothered doing a format

[shadowpr]

Try to run diagnostics on the hard drive and the ram. You can get hd diagnostics from the manufacturer and the ram diagnostics from www.memtest.org

Or both from the ultimate boot cd.

Also, have you tried in safe mode? Does the problem still happen?

[apple tango]

Originally Posted by shadowpr Try to run diagnostics on the hard drive and the ram. You can get hd diagnostics from the manufacturer and the ram diagnostics from www.memtest.org Or both from the ultimate boot cd. Also, have you tried in safe mode? Does the problem still happen?

Thanks, I'll try running the tests on the RAM and HD. I'm not too sure what you mean by the ultimate boot cd, but i'll google it

I haven't tried doing stuff in safe mode to see if the freeze happens, but i'll also give that a go.

I'm currently typing this reply on a fresh installation of XP on a different HD than i was using when i made this thread, so i will see if i have the same problem.

[shadowpr]

http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/

[not important]

Originally Posted by apple tango I'm currently typing this reply on a fresh installation of XP on a different HD than i was using when i made this thread, so i will see if i have the same problem.

Sounds like you found the problem.

[doubledragon5]

I also wounder about the psu, never heard of it before...

[chuck4456]

Did you set your memory modules per spec on the hologram sticker?

[doubledragon5]

Originally Posted by chuck4456 Did you set your memory modules per spec on the hologram sticker?

When you install ram, the mb automatically sets the timings for you.

[apple tango]

Originally Posted by not important Sounds like you found the problem.

Not necessarily.

I could use the original HD for hours and hours with no freeze, but then two could happen within the space of 10 minutes.

I have only been using this different HD with a fresh installation of XP for 2 hours in total, so time will tell.

[apple tango]

Originally Posted by doubledragon5 I also wounder about the psu, never heard of it before...

I'm quite confident the psu is fine. It's brand new, powerful enough, good quality, and i made sure i didn't buy a cheap no brand one.

[glc]

That PSU is a OCZ - high quality. OCZ owns PC Power & Cooling.

[apple tango]

Originally Posted by glc That PSU is a OCZ - high quality. OCZ owns PC Power & Cooling.

Thought so, thanks. PSU shouldn't be causing my problem then.

I have done both a HD test and a RAM test, using memtest86 and an Ultimate Boot CD. Both tests were passed with no problems.

[doubledragon5]

Originally Posted by glc That PSU is a OCZ - high quality. OCZ owns PC Power & Cooling.

Thanks glc learn something new everyday

[shadowpr]

Have you had anymore problems since you used a fresh install?

[apple tango]

Originally Posted by shadowpr Have you had anymore problems since you used a fresh install?

No, none so far, so maybe a simple thing as installing XP again has sorted it out.

Thanks for your help though.

[apple tango]

Well, i spoke too soon.

I am still having the random freeze, even after a fresh installation of XP on two different hard drives.

So, i know my RAM is fine, hard drives are fine, and the PSU is fine. I guess the finger now points to the gfx card or mobo.

Does anyone know any software of testing the stability of gfx cards?