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Linux_User
I haven't seen my friends in so long
Joined: Tue May 05, 2009 3:29 pm Posts: 7173
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OK, so today the PC has started locking up for no apparent reason (worked fine up 'til now).
I've checked temps, which are all fine. I'm currently testing the memory (memtest86+) two sticks at a time, and then will test it all together.
If that all turns up fine, what else should I be looking at? I'm looking at blaming the OS, but I'd rather not install the sodding thing again.
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Mon Sep 28, 2009 2:18 pm |
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Linux_User
I haven't seen my friends in so long
Joined: Tue May 05, 2009 3:29 pm Posts: 7173
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OK, the memory passes memtest86+. I'm about to try re-seating the graphics card, after that I'm stumped (other than ditching windows and retreating into Linux). Any ideas? 
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Mon Sep 28, 2009 2:53 pm |
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gavomatic57
Doesn't have much of a life
Joined: Thu Apr 23, 2009 8:30 pm Posts: 1757 Location: Cardiff, Wales
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Umm...the obvious ones...ATI's drivers...chipset drivers, malware? How's your hard drive's health? If you can get the SMART status that may point to something. Not using AVG are you?
_________________ G.
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Mon Sep 28, 2009 3:12 pm |
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Linux_User
I haven't seen my friends in so long
Joined: Tue May 05, 2009 3:29 pm Posts: 7173
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Got the latest ATI drivers. Good point about the chipset drivers, will check Device Manager. Malware is a no-go, but virus scan can be done. And no, I use Kaspersky (though the latest release is awful IMO).
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Mon Sep 28, 2009 3:16 pm |
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gavomatic57
Doesn't have much of a life
Joined: Thu Apr 23, 2009 8:30 pm Posts: 1757 Location: Cardiff, Wales
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I actually think your hard drive is the most likely cause, especially if it has started all of a sudden.
_________________ G.
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Mon Sep 28, 2009 3:19 pm |
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Linux_User
I haven't seen my friends in so long
Joined: Tue May 05, 2009 3:29 pm Posts: 7173
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SMART reports it's OK, though TBH that's never been much good to me in the past.
I've chucked the important stuff on my spare drive just in case, but I think it's OK. It seems to have settled down now (not sure what's done it, be it driver updates or re-seating the memory), any further problems and I'll report back.
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Mon Sep 28, 2009 3:34 pm |
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big_D
What's a life?
Joined: Thu Apr 23, 2009 8:25 pm Posts: 10691 Location: Bramsche
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memtest86 won't pick up most memory problems...  I've had 4 computers now that crashed randomly and memtest86 said they were all fine, but replacing the memory cleared up the problems... I'd take out the memory DIMMs and replace them one at a time (i.e. dimm 1 on its own, dimm 2 on its own etc. then finally put them all back in)...
_________________ "Do you know what this is? Hmm? No, I can see you do not. You have that vacant look in your eyes, which says hold my head to your ear, you will hear the sea!" - Londo Molari
Executive Producer No Agenda Show 246
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Mon Sep 28, 2009 4:22 pm |
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Linux_User
I haven't seen my friends in so long
Joined: Tue May 05, 2009 3:29 pm Posts: 7173
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Well they're all back in now, seems OK. Perhaps it just needed re-seating/a clean.
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Mon Sep 28, 2009 4:35 pm |
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Linux_User
I haven't seen my friends in so long
Joined: Tue May 05, 2009 3:29 pm Posts: 7173
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Mon Sep 28, 2009 7:17 pm |
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bally199
Doesn't have much of a life
Joined: Thu Apr 23, 2009 6:52 pm Posts: 1036 Location: Barnsley, South Yorkshire
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I have a PCI Geforce 128 laid about somewhere. 
_________________ Kimmotalk is where all the cool people hang.
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Mon Sep 28, 2009 8:07 pm |
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Linux_User
I haven't seen my friends in so long
Joined: Tue May 05, 2009 3:29 pm Posts: 7173
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Rolled back to the 9.8 drivers, here's hoping.
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Mon Sep 28, 2009 8:10 pm |
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Linux_User
I haven't seen my friends in so long
Joined: Tue May 05, 2009 3:29 pm Posts: 7173
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Come back ATi, all is forgiven. It turns out that the problem still exists, futher digging now points the finger at Kaspersky Internet Security. Going to try Avira and see if it makes a difference. I've ruled out hardware because the system runs fine in Safe Mode.
I swear my next desktop PC is going to be a Mac. End of.
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Mon Sep 28, 2009 8:40 pm |
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Linux_User
I haven't seen my friends in so long
Joined: Tue May 05, 2009 3:29 pm Posts: 7173
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Turns out it's not Kaspersky either. I'm officially at a loss, any ideas?
No new hardware, no new software. I only re-installed Windows yesterday, all drivers installed etc. Never had a problem with Vista 64 before.
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Mon Sep 28, 2009 9:07 pm |
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Linux_User
I haven't seen my friends in so long
Joined: Tue May 05, 2009 3:29 pm Posts: 7173
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The machine is still running fine in Safe Mode, which leads me away from hardware and towards software. I'm thinking either driver issue or fuxxored Vista installation. Anyone care to guess which? And which drivers I should be taking stabs at (I'm looking at display driver?)
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Mon Sep 28, 2009 9:24 pm |
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pcernie
Legend
Joined: Sun Apr 26, 2009 12:30 pm Posts: 45931 Location: Belfast
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I saw a PC freeze up once cos of a malfunctioning trailing socket - something to do with the socket's, er, metal resistance bit 
_________________Plain English advice on everything money, purchase and service related:
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/
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Mon Sep 28, 2009 9:49 pm |
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