Can anyone recommend a PC repair guy in Kent?

Goose · 19 Dec 2012 at 20:47

I started a thread here about my computer developing a serious fault and the cliff notes are that after about 40 minutes or so my PC locks up (although the cursor can still be moved) regardless of what was being done. Even if the computer was idle it will still eventually lock up and temps are good so its not a case of overheating.

I dont have any backup RAM or PSU or anything like that so i cant simply swap stuff out to test.

This is my only computer so im kinda freaking out a bit.

Thanks

Addicted · 19 Dec 2012 at 20:53

It's not after an hour is it? Have you updated the firmware on your Crucial M4?

There's a well known issue for the PC to lock up after an hour (or just before), when using an old firmware and having used the driver over a certain amount of time!

Ginger-Menace · 19 Dec 2012 at 20:54

DOES THE COMPUTER SHOW A BLUE SCREEN AT ALL? HAVE YOU CHANGED ANYTHING IN THE BIOS? IS IT OVERCLOCKED AT ALL? HAVE YOU MADE SURE ALL CONNECTORS ARE PLUGGED IN CORRECTLY? sorry for caps!

honosuseri · 19 Dec 2012 at 20:54

I'm in kent but I can't tout for work on here lol

Try downloading ultimate bootdisk, burn it to DVD and boot from that. Do a test on your RAM. Have you OC'd the CPU? Maybe it's unstable if you have, try reseting to stock and see if that helps. Updating the SSDs firmware was also a good suggestion

bru · 19 Dec 2012 at 21:02

Where abouts in Kent are you, I'm in sittingbourne, if your close I may be able to help out.

I would run a memory checker, and if you have a spare HDD do a fresh install to completely discount any software errors causing the crashes.

bru · 19 Dec 2012 at 21:04

damm beaten too it, I'm sitting here looking at my copy of the ultimate boot disc and i was thinking exactly the same thing.

honosuseri · 19 Dec 2012 at 21:12

bru said:
damm beaten too it, I'm sitting here looking at my copy of the ultimate boot disc and i was thinking exactly the same thing.

Very handy to have as it's packed with useful diagnostic tools and software. Hiren is another popular bootdisk (LINK)

Goose · 19 Dec 2012 at 21:18

Ginger-Menace said:
DOES THE COMPUTER SHOW A BLUE SCREEN AT ALL? HAVE YOU CHANGED ANYTHING IN THE BIOS? IS IT OVERCLOCKED AT ALL? HAVE YOU MADE SURE ALL CONNECTORS ARE PLUGGED IN CORRECTLY? sorry for caps!

Nope, no blue screens, no bios changes, computer never moves so connections shouldn't be the problem but i'll check them anyway.

honosuseri said:
I'm in kent but I can't tout for work on here lol

Try downloading ultimate bootdisk, burn it to DVD and boot from that. Do a test on your RAM. Have you OC'd the CPU? Maybe it's unstable if you have, try reseting to stock and see if that helps. Updating the SSDs firmware was also a good suggestion

Thanks, i'll have a look at the bootdisk. The CPU was OC'd using motherboard presets and the first thing i did was remove the OC but it did not help.

Addicted said:
It's not after an hour is it? Have you updated the firmware on your Crucial M4?

There's a well known issue for the PC to lock up after an hour (or just before), when using an old firmware and having used the driver over a certain amount of time!

I updated the firmware not longer after getting the disk (over a year ago) and think the firmware im on is like 0009 or something? I'm definitely not on the latest firmware so i'll try flashing it and hope for the best.

Whats the best way to flash new SSD firmware? It was so long ago i cant remember how i did it last time.

Thanks everyone.