Computer freeze!!

I need help in sorting this out. My computer totally freezes at times. Everything grinds to a total halt, mouse stops moving, music stops playing etc so it is a total system freeze as opposed to the mouse stopping working. My desktop or whatever programme I'm running remains on the screen but noyhing works. (CTRL/ALT/DELETE doesn't work, I've tried!) The only option I have is to hit the reset button and the system starts up again with no errors reported.

I run Windows XP. 1.2 gig processor with 80 gig of hard drive in two drives. 256 m ram so the computer is performing admirably.

Also it doesn't just happen when a particular programme runs, it can be while any programme is running.

Anyone any ideas or has anyone had this happening to them?

Also, is there a programme in XP which can look for problems after I restart.

Cheers.

First, check to see if any spyware programs are running behind the scenes. Download and install BOTH Ad-Aware and Spy Bot and run a full system scan with both programs. Remove any detected entries and restart your computer. If the problem persists, let me know.

You can get Ad-Aware etc. from download dot com if you don't know where to get it from mate.

Dave

Forget download.com. Go to http://www.lavasoft.de/ for Ad-Aware, and http://security.kolla.de/ for Spy Bot.

I threw the head up and yet another re-install of XP Pro. Yes it's a pirate copy but is going like a dream. Been on for 24 hours and no freeze, happy days and touch wood!!

I know there's a lot of XP activation codes and programmes out there but does anyone actually have anything that works?

get the latest Graphic driver updates ...
My XP froze because of the Garphic drivers then once i got the better ones , it stopped freezing

I replaced my graphics card and that has done the trick.
Thanks!!

dump more ram, 256 is the min for xp

I was actually running 320 and despite changing my graphics card my pc started to freeze again. I took out each ram in turn and tried them in vbarious combinations and have come to the conclusion that it was my 2 128's which were causing a conflict 'cos I ain't had a problem in 24 hours continuous internet connection. One of the 128's is pci133 and he other pci100 and although they work ok they're conflicting so one had to go.

Only trouble is I'm now only at 192 mb ram which, as you say, is not enough! I've decided to stuff it all and get a new mother board and ram and start again!!

Computers, you never stop do ya?

that's the reason why your system froze. whenever you mix ram of different specs, you will have this problem. not all the time or regularly, it'll just do it whenever it wants to. at least you got the problem fixed. just for extra measure, i'd go to msconfig from the command prompt just to see what's loading up when the system comes online. you'd be amazed of the crap that loads without your knowledge. especially when running peer to peer programs like kazaa, etc.

Have you considered whether your chip is overheating? many problem can arise from your system getting too hot. Check in your BIOS that your chip is running roughly between 40 and 50 degrees if its in the 60's then its defo overheating and you may need to replace your CPU fan and consider extra cooling.

Could also be worth checking your PSU is lagging this also causes your system to freeze if there isnt enough power getting to the right places.

But by looking at your posts it sounds as if its the RAM issue as mentioned before you should have at least 256mb in your machine for XP to run efficiently any less and it uses your hard drive for memory. Best course of action get 512 of ddr in!

Sorry last post on this but also try running a program called MemTest this tests your RAM in your machine and will report and errors if you have bad chips on your RAM its quick and easy and stops alot of agony when trying to diagnose a problem.

Cant remember the site link but search via Google and you will find it.