windows stops responding frequently (hardware or software problem)

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Brad Roy - 16 Dec 2003 16:34 GMT

Over the last month, my computer will frequently just stop responding,
regardless of whether I am using it or not. It will just lock up in
whatever state its currently in. It's locked up in programs, such as excel.
Its locked up with nothing running and only the screensaver is shown. Its
locked up in stand by mode and only a black screen shows. The only way out
of it is to restart the computer each time. This happens several times a
day. I am wondering if this is a software or hardware problem. What can I
do?

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Malke - 16 Dec 2003 16:40 GMT

> Over the last month, my computer will frequently just stop responding,
> regardless of whether I am using it or not. It will just lock up in
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> day. I am wondering if this is a software or hardware problem. What
> can I do?

Generally speaking, random lockups are caused by bad hardware. Here are
generic troubleshooting steps for hardware:

1) Open the computer and run it open, cleaning out all dust bunnies and
observing all fans (overheating will cause system freezing); 2) test
the RAM - I like Memtest86 from www.memtest86.com - let the test run
for an extended (like overnight) period of time - unless errors are
seen immediately; 3) test the hard drive with a diagnostic utility from
the mftr.; 4) test the motherboard. If you can't do this testing
yourself, take the machine to a good local computer repair shop (not a
CompUSA or Best Buy type of store).

Malke

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Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"

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Sjoerd Mulder - 16 Dec 2003 17:05 GMT

> 1) Open the computer and run it open, cleaning out all dust bunnies and
> observing all fans (overheating will cause system freezing);

<snip>

And DO NOT use vacuum cleaner to clean up dust!!!

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Brad Roy - 16 Dec 2003 17:14 GMT

Just Curious, why no vaccuum. I have already cleaned the dust out of the
computer. Still no help.
Thanks

> > 1) Open the computer and run it open, cleaning out all dust bunnies and
> > observing all fans (overheating will cause system freezing);
> <snip>
>
> And DO NOT use vacuum cleaner to clean up dust!!!

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Ken Blake - 16 Dec 2003 22:51 GMT

> Just Curious, why no vaccuum. I have already cleaned the dust out of
> the computer. Still no help.

The static charges on a vacuum cleaner can destroy the
electronics in yourcomputer.

Signature

Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
Please reply to the newsgroup

> <newsgroups@sjoerd_removethis_mulder.electronischepost.nl>

wrote in

> message news:3fdf3b64$0$237$e4fe514c@news.xs4all.nl...
>>
>> > 1) Open the computer and run it open, cleaning out all dust
>> > bunnies and observing all fans (overheating will cause

system

>> > freezing);
>> <snip>
>>
>> And DO NOT use vacuum cleaner to clean up dust!!!

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Rider - 28 May 2008 00:15 GMT

can anyone tell me why i just show Re: in the newsgroup and not the
whole messages?

thanks

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