W
w_tom
On Dec 25, 11:15 pm, Chuck25 <Chuc...@discussions.microsoft.com>
wrote:
> I got a feeling it is my hardware that's causing the computer freeze. How
> would I troubleshoot my hardware?
What does the system 'event' log report? Any problems recorded
long ago that the system was working around (waiting for you to come
back later, find, and fix)? What does Device Manager report? If
necessary, use Windows Help to find these information sources.
This is an NT based OS. List of suspects that can cause your
shutdown problem are
fewer. Currently everything is in a third category - 'unknown'.
Accomplishment means moving each 'unknown' to a 'definitively
something' category. Below are simple steps to do that.
One subsystem that can make everything else appear defective is the
power supply 'system'. Hardware could have been defective 6 months
ago and still boot a computer. Yes, a defective power 'system' can
still be declared by others as good because the computer booted. That
'system' (power supply is only one component) is still 'unknown'. Two
minutes and a $20 tool can move that 'system' from unknown to
'definitively good' using a procedure in "When your computer dies
without warning....." starting 6 Feb 2007 in the newsgroup
alt.windows-xp at:
http://tinyurl.com/yvf9vh
Don't disconnect anything. Not even one wire or one peripheral.
First get facts - the numbers. In your case and especially important
are numbers from the orange, red, yellow, and purple wires when all
peripherals are accessed simultaneously - multitasking.. Numbers
posted here means replies will be useful - definitive. Answers of 'it
could be this or that ...' don't provide anything useful.
Responsible computer manufacturers provide comprehensive hardware
diagnostics. Is your manufacturer that responsible as to provide
diagnostics on hard drive, on a provided CD, and on their web site?
Execute those comprehensive diagnostics. Otherwise download each
diagnostic from component manufacturers (for each possible hardware
suspect in the next paragraph) or get diagnostics from third parties
(ie Memtst86).
Fortunately, an NT OS limits suspects to video controller, sound
card, CPU, memory, power supply subsystem, and some motherboard
functions. Memtst86 can be downloaded to test memory. But the test
is not sufficient until also executed with computer in a 100+ degree
room or with memory (and related motherboard ICs) heated by a hair
dryer on highest settings. If memory also passes a perfectly normal
high heat test, then something has been accomplished. Memory moved
from 'unknown' to 'definitively good'.
Appreciate how to step through a problem. Accomplishment means
taking each subsystem from 'unknown' to 'definitively something'.
Break the problem down into parts and analyze those parts.
Fix nothing. First search for a suspect. One unknown that can cause
all others to appear defective is the power supply subsystem. That
two minute test using a multimeter must be completed first (and
numbers reported here) before moving on to other possible suspects.
It is possible that your power supply 'system' always had a defect.
Normal is for a system to boot even with a marginal (defective) power
supply. If true, that defect could have been identified long ago
using that two minute procedure.
Report what is discovered here to obtain other useful facts and
helpful tips..
wrote:
> I got a feeling it is my hardware that's causing the computer freeze. How
> would I troubleshoot my hardware?
What does the system 'event' log report? Any problems recorded
long ago that the system was working around (waiting for you to come
back later, find, and fix)? What does Device Manager report? If
necessary, use Windows Help to find these information sources.
This is an NT based OS. List of suspects that can cause your
shutdown problem are
fewer. Currently everything is in a third category - 'unknown'.
Accomplishment means moving each 'unknown' to a 'definitively
something' category. Below are simple steps to do that.
One subsystem that can make everything else appear defective is the
power supply 'system'. Hardware could have been defective 6 months
ago and still boot a computer. Yes, a defective power 'system' can
still be declared by others as good because the computer booted. That
'system' (power supply is only one component) is still 'unknown'. Two
minutes and a $20 tool can move that 'system' from unknown to
'definitively good' using a procedure in "When your computer dies
without warning....." starting 6 Feb 2007 in the newsgroup
alt.windows-xp at:
http://tinyurl.com/yvf9vh
Don't disconnect anything. Not even one wire or one peripheral.
First get facts - the numbers. In your case and especially important
are numbers from the orange, red, yellow, and purple wires when all
peripherals are accessed simultaneously - multitasking.. Numbers
posted here means replies will be useful - definitive. Answers of 'it
could be this or that ...' don't provide anything useful.
Responsible computer manufacturers provide comprehensive hardware
diagnostics. Is your manufacturer that responsible as to provide
diagnostics on hard drive, on a provided CD, and on their web site?
Execute those comprehensive diagnostics. Otherwise download each
diagnostic from component manufacturers (for each possible hardware
suspect in the next paragraph) or get diagnostics from third parties
(ie Memtst86).
Fortunately, an NT OS limits suspects to video controller, sound
card, CPU, memory, power supply subsystem, and some motherboard
functions. Memtst86 can be downloaded to test memory. But the test
is not sufficient until also executed with computer in a 100+ degree
room or with memory (and related motherboard ICs) heated by a hair
dryer on highest settings. If memory also passes a perfectly normal
high heat test, then something has been accomplished. Memory moved
from 'unknown' to 'definitively good'.
Appreciate how to step through a problem. Accomplishment means
taking each subsystem from 'unknown' to 'definitively something'.
Break the problem down into parts and analyze those parts.
Fix nothing. First search for a suspect. One unknown that can cause
all others to appear defective is the power supply subsystem. That
two minute test using a multimeter must be completed first (and
numbers reported here) before moving on to other possible suspects.
It is possible that your power supply 'system' always had a defect.
Normal is for a system to boot even with a marginal (defective) power
supply. If true, that defect could have been identified long ago
using that two minute procedure.
Report what is discovered here to obtain other useful facts and
helpful tips..
