Computer Locking up

Arcanine

There is no "-tina"
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    Since you people are smart I'll ask you this question.
    This desktop keeps locking up. It's happened before, but not 10+ times a day. It's not a virus because I ran a virus scan and it came up clean. My dad thinks it's the fan not cooling the system enough (due to not being cleaned), I guess that could be it but over heating after 20-30 mins doesn't sound likely to me. I thought it could be the HD being full but I just checked it and it has 47 gig free. So I'm clueless and confused.

    So any of you computer whizzes out there know what could be causing this?
     
    The absolutely best thing I can suggest...

    Send it back and get it replaced.. :<

    Or you could just try checking inside the tower and see if everything's in working order..

    Anything more technical..I won't be able to help you with.. :<
     
    If it was a new computer then sure I'd do that. But it's over 3 years old (I want a new desktop, maybe if it keeps acting up my dad will get fed up and buy a new one XD), and we got 23 Gigabits of stuff on here.
    The stupid thing has just lately been acting up. So I don't know what it could be.
     
    Its possible some of the parts are obsolete...and the files can always be transferred bewteen computers or just...saved somewhere else...like on an FTP server..nyeh.

    I haven't dealt with an outdated computer in ages( a year or two actually)..
     
    Heh, if it was Windows ME I'd say it's normal... well, ever checked for spyware? Are you sure your virus scanner detects spyware? (It happens, I guess) Because if not, check out Windows Defender Beta if ya don't have it.
     
    Hm...it could be because of the temp.
    You should download a program that reads the temperature of your Mainboard, HDDs and processor to see if everything's alright.
    Speedfan for example.
    It also shows you the speed of your computer fans, so you could adjust it if needed.

    It can also read the S.M.A.R.T. status of your HDDs, which could also show the problem.
    Maybe your HDD is just "tired".

    Well, that's what came to my mind for now. XD
     
    wakachamo: If it is Spyware/Adware then I know what it is (it's that stupid weather bug thing my dad has). But that's been there for ages and looks like if it would have locked the computer up then it would have done it long ago.

    Scizz: I still think it's a computer software thing. But I can't rule out the dust build up over the fan (I have never seen so much dust in a 3.5 inch space in my life).

    Well I cleaned the fan, so we'll see if it was just a fan prob (some ways I hope it is, in others I hope it isn't. I still want a new desktop XD).
    In any case, thanks guys.
     
    Check the task manager, if any process is being a leech to the RAM end it and find out what program it is. If your computer is older it might need a RAM upgrade, newer programs like to take up space and even 512 mb is too little. It might also be because of a recent windows update. I find windows update can be more of a burden sometimes.
     
    Also use the Device Manager (in Control Panel > System > Hardware) to check for hardware conflicts.

    It could very well be an overheating problem~ mine does that too.
     
    You should first check to see if one of the programs isn't biting down on your CPU Usage or eating up a chunk of memory by using ALT + CTRL + DEL; that is, if you're able to reach that. Terminate the processes which appear to have an abnormally high CPU usage/mem usage when this starts to occur.

    Use HJT to see if any questionable start-up programs that might be causing this. Of course, always backup before doing anything with HJT. :)
     
    HJT is Hijack This!, by the way, for those wondering. ;)
     
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