Has my computer had it?

Associate
Joined
8 Jul 2006
Posts
1,509
Hiya Everyone

Well, I've got problems with a computer what is used for work, surfing the web, email and so on. Okay, I'm gonna explain my story in steps as It will be much easier to understand.

1. Happily surfing the web, loaded up Condition Zero (Usually have a few rounds) and the computer suddenly went extremely slow, could just about move my mouse but was so slow, I was waiting for about 5 minutes and nothing happened or closed etc. So, I turnt off the computer and waited a few minutes.

2. When re-booting the computer it got stuck on "Memory Testing", even after about 20 minutes it was still stuck.

3. I decided to try different ram techniques. Firstly i took one stick out (Same problem).

4. Tried a different stick and it worked fine but halfway through windows xp loading all applications/software etc it would reboot. It was weird because it was on the desktop, stuff like that usually happens during the main boot.

5. Put old ram in, but changed around and worked fine until a few hours and it started doing the same, so slow couldnt do anything! Managed to get Task Manager open and found that it was constantly at 98-100% CPU Usage.

6. Waited about 1 hour (Was watching TV) and managed to close various stuff and it stopped.

7. Its been happening every so often, usually once a day. Also, it never "Just Happens" it happens when I say open a program, open a window, a game etc. Even if nothing else is running it still happens.

8. Got annoyed when it happened today so turnt PC Off, stuck on memory testing so took ram out, put it back in and was fine!

Any Ideas?

Just too add. When its happening the green lights on my inbuilt multi card reader/USB's flash green after each other constantly until the PC is turnt off or the program what is causing it to do this is closed or turnt off. And, I havent overclocked anything or tried any tests

Note: Please excuse spelling, tired!
 
Last edited:
My first guess would be perhaps power supply dying as it seems to happen when you open programs (ie increase the load & power draw). If you have a spare power supply or can borrow one then try it for a day or two.
It may take some time to narrow down as to which component it is causing the problem.
Of course it could be software not hardware, perhaps your windows install is a bit screwed. Whether to try a fresh install depends on how many hours or days of backing up and re-installing that involves.
Good luck.
 
Sure, I have :
-Pentium D805 @ stock speed
- X1800XT
- DVD writer
- 2 gig ddr2 Ram
- Zip100 drive
- 160GB sata hard drive.
- Wireless card

running on a 400W Akasa Paxpower.

But I don't think that helps you at all. Firstly, the wattage of a PSU is less important than whether it is a good one. Secondly, if your PSU is failing, then it doesn't matter how powerful it is, it's starting to break.
Finally I want to stress this is only my guess. I could well be wrong, do seek other opinions too.
I know it's hard to find bits to borrow but it's the only real way to know what is at fault - and again, it could be a software problem, hard to say.
 
i think he was referring to the OP

I would guess that the PSU is failing so try and replace it for a day with another one if u can
 
^^ I think he was referring to me? lol :rolleyes:

I will try another PSU in the morning, but my spec is

AMD Athlon XP 2600 (2.1ghz)
512MB Ram (2x256mb) PC2700
Nvidia Geforce TI 4200 128mb AGP
Chipset VIA KT400/A, KT600 (Microstar?)
80GB Seagate Hardrive
NEC 4570 Dual Layer
Some old CD/RW

Will post PSU watt in the morning, everyones currently asleep and this case is noisy to open! :p

If that does not fix the problem I will try a fresh install, been meaning to do it for awhile anyway! Just annoys me the way I have to download SP2 what takes ages (Good connection or not)!
 
Last edited:
Sounds more like a memory or board issue to me. Try memtest86+ and see if the memory is ok, getting stuck on memory testing is bad, could also be the DIMM sockets.
 
Justintime said:
Sounds more like a memory or board issue to me. Try memtest86+ and see if the memory is ok, getting stuck on memory testing is bad, could also be the DIMM sockets.

Will do it now
 
Last edited:
Changed PSU, from 250W to 450W, same problems!

Gonna re-install windows next. If that doesnt cut it I think it might be the motherboard, what do you guys think?
 
Back
Top Bottom