Computer problem, looking for ideas

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

08/01/2006 05:41:20 PM · #1

Okay, my photo machine is freezing up. It is only about 4 months old and an emachine altered. I'm freezing up randomly even with nothing open. This puppy will freeze up on the windows log in screen. Before I do a restore, could it maybe be hardware ie the drive? I'm grasping here as I have run out of ideas.

TIA
christine

Edit to add... I had this drive out last night testing in another machine and it didn't freeze up. Thats actually why im grasping.

Message edited by author 2006-08-01 17:42:35.

Bobster

Canon EOS-20D

08/01/2006 05:50:23 PM · #2

do you know what temps your machine is running at?

when you say you've tested the drive in another machine, do you mean you've used it to boot another machine, or you've added it as a 2nd drive to a working machine?

i'm taking that you have this machine connected to the internet.. do you have any anti spy-ware application installed? if not //www.download.com/3001-8022_4-10319876.html download and install, update and run

do you have antivirus installed?

can you give the spec of the PC?

08/01/2006 05:51:16 PM · #3

It could be hardware, you might make sure everything is fully connected (RAM, drives, sound/video cards if they arent build in). It could also easily be software if you don't have antivirus/antispyware. Do you have programs installed and updated that check for those?

Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 IF EX DG HSM for Canon

08/01/2006 05:53:22 PM · #4

Originally posted by Bobster:

I'd add this to Bobsters suggestion. Adaware and spybot run in conjunction work VERY well at getting everything off. Also be sure to use the 'immunize' feature in spybot to keep the stuff away.

//www.download.com/Spybot-Search-Destroy/3000-8022_4-10401314.html?tag=lst-0-1

And the link for adaware: //www.download.com/Ad-Aware-SE-Personal-Edition/3000-8022_4-10399602.html?tag=lst-0-1

Message edited by author 2006-08-01 17:55:31.

coronamv

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

08/01/2006 05:56:07 PM · #5

If you hit the num Lock key does it go on and off? or stay frozen? Is it locking up at a certain point timeframe or after you do certain things?

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

08/01/2006 05:58:33 PM · #6

machine
amd 64 3000+ processor
512 ram
total of 420 gig, among 3 drive, 80 gig is main drive and the one I installed in the second machine, both as a boot, then a 2nd drive.
addition to that there is a 300 gig, brand new and a 60 gig in it.
all drives installed are ide, not sata.
cd-rw/dvd dl rw
ati radon 200 express
connected via wireless to net

running norton internet security suite includes spyware, scan is clean.
also double checked with hijackthis
all is running quiet, no clicking or loud drives
RAM chips have been switched out and checked so its not the ram

Machine is windows xp home edition

edit to add, running within acceptable limits on temp
and it freezes up when it feels like it, within minutes of boot, to days, depends on ???? does it when any varity of programs run, or no programs at all

Message edited by author 2006-08-01 17:59:59.

violinist123

Canon EOS-6D

08/01/2006 05:59:23 PM · #7

I agree with the below post - sounds like overheating. Random lockups for no apparent reason. If you can figure out how, set your processor to a lower clock speed and see if it doesn't help (or just take the thing back).

08/01/2006 06:00:50 PM · #8

ohhhhhhhhhhhh, perhaps to many drives installed, and 1 case fan, could be over heating the drives?

or I just added a new kvm swich so I could use 1 monitor, could that cause this?

Message edited by author 2006-08-01 18:02:04.

08/01/2006 06:08:20 PM · #9

To be honest, I'd get rid of the Norton Internet Security. It can cause all sorts of unforseen and seemingly unrelated problems. I work at a helpdeak and I've seen all kinds of stuff clear up after it was gone including a friend of mine who had a brand new Dell and couldn't 4 or 5 programs to work. Uninstalled NIS and everything worked perfectly. I can't say it'd fix your freezing problem but there are some more computer friendly anti-virus programs out there that might save you headache in the long run.

Also I'd still install the Adaware and Spybot since they can pick up things that NIS won't.

08/01/2006 06:11:28 PM · #10

bf any suggestions for a good securtiy/virus program?

Azrifel

Fujifilm X100VI

08/01/2006 06:17:11 PM · #11

When you run stuff like norton and windows XP and you want to work on photos you really want at least 1 gig of RAM.
Extra cooling also really wouldn't hurt in this setup.

2nd the comment about Norton, the program acted as a virus itself on one of the machines I am responsible for. An older computer also suddenly got rid of all the problems (slow, CD-R drive not recognized anymore, lock-ups when deleting stuff) when I got rid of Norton.

08/01/2006 06:17:41 PM · #12

Just general Norton Antivirus is better that Internet Security but I think my favorite consumer brand was McAfee.

Currently I use Symantec Corporate Edition 10 becasue the University of Denver provides it free to all students. I know you can buy it but I'm not sure if its any cheaper/more expensive than other brands. I use it in conjunction with Adaware and Spybot and I've never had any spyware or virus problems.

08/01/2006 06:19:40 PM · #13

You know another thought down the over-heating line of thinking would be checking to make sure the fan is connected properly. On my laptop there are two fans and they used to be out of wack. They would rattle around and 'moo' (thats what it sounded like, I had a cow for a computer) and then the computer would unexpectedly freeze and shutdown. It wasn't any hotter than it was before, but I think the computer had some idea that the fans weren't working properly. Just another thing to check.

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

08/01/2006 06:23:15 PM · #14

Ok, heres the plan, going to best buy to get ram, and antivirus. Start with those, (maybe a few more case fans too) and will report back if things are better. Thanks all.

chris

owen

Canon EOS-40D

08/01/2006 06:59:03 PM · #15

It sounds more like hardware than software to me
Try isolating different bits of hardware and see how it goes (disconnecting the other drives and the kvm switch etc.)
More ram wouldn't hurt so if you are buying more you could try that on its own for a while
If it freezes due to heat it will normally freeze again much quicker after subsequent reboots
I have a computer shop and we get best results with Norton AV, Adaware and Spybot
Good Luck

Alain

Nikon D7100

Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM

08/01/2006 07:07:10 PM · #16

Originally posted by liltritter:

bf any suggestions for a good securtiy/virus program?

I use Avast on all 4 computers that we have at home and never had a virus problems (it did find some once in a while, but removes them all the time). It,s a free anti-virus for home use.

This with adaware and you should be safe.

jah_luv

Canon PowerShot S50

08/01/2006 07:09:30 PM · #17

Can you boot into safe mode?

awpollard

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

08/01/2006 07:17:57 PM · #18

Originally posted by liltritter:

This don't look bad...RAM (amount is fine) but could go physically bad.

I will tell you that eMachines are notorious for packing too much stuff in a small area. Everyone that I have worked on had heat issues.

If you have added drives to the box make sure all those Ribbon cables are not impeding the flow of air. Air comes in through the fan in the front passes through the case many times over the CPU and out the exhaust fan middle back. If there is no middle back (chassis) fan than the manufacturer is expecting to powersupply to handle that work load.

Again from experience eMachines are famous for under cooling there Processors and Cases.

I would start by making sure all vents are clean, a clogged intake will cause a pewter to overheat. Make sure air can move freely through the case. I have almost always had to add an 80mm Fan (exhaust) to the eMachines that I have worked on.

Make sure your Video Drivers are Up-to-Date...another cause for lockups...

If that don't do it then we have to look at another area said company scimped on... they are notorious for is under powering the entire rig. Power supplies are barely adequet to power the devices that ships with the units. More devices the hotter the power supply runs because of the load... another cause for lockup.

cutlassdude70

Canon EOS-6D

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM II

08/01/2006 07:18:16 PM · #19

This definitely sounds like more of a hardware issue to me than software, but it definitely doesn't hurt to be prepared. I second the suggestions to install and run Spybot Search & Destroy and Ad-aware to remove any adware or spyware. And I DEFINITELY recommend removing any Norton products that are installed. In my opinion, they are all bloated and lacking in efficiency. I was previously running Symantec (the makers of Norton) Antivirus Corporate Edition on all machines at work and had new updates pushed down to all workstations every day. Despite having the latest updates, we had more than one virus slip past Symantec.

As far as antivirus goes, there is one true leader - NOD32. You can purchase and download it online at //www.eset.com/ It is BY FAR the best antivirus product I have ever used. They are the ONLY antivirus product that hasn't missed a single virus detection in the past 7 years. It catches everything quickly and efficiently, and takes up almost no resources on the system. If you are in a hurry to replace Norton (which I would be) and aren't quite ready to purchase another antivirus product, I recommend AVG Free Antivirus ( //www.download.com/AVG-Anti-Virus-Free-Edition/3000-2239_4-10543927.html?tag=lst-0-1 ).

You might also want to make sure that you have all Windows updates installed (including optional ones). Many times, you can go to the Windows Update site ( //windowsupdate.microsoft.com ) in Internet Explorer (or IE tab if you're using Firefox ;) ) and it will have hardware updates available. If you get things sorted out in terms of software and still have the random reboot problem, I would say it's time to have the machine checked out at the place where you purchased it. Hope that helps...

th3ph17

Canon EOS-20D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

08/01/2006 07:29:04 PM · #20

had a computer back in 1997 that would freeze for no reason...the cursor wouldn't even move. Tried everything i could think of, then hooked it up to a battery back-up pack and it stopped freezing. A surge protector hadn't worked. The electrician found a loose breaker.

something to think about...especially if it freezes up around the same time your air conditioning turns on.

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

08/01/2006 10:58:47 PM · #21

Okay, an update. The machine now has 1 gig of ram, no norton running the antivirus cutlassdude suggested. Zone alarm for a firewall and a new spyware program. Also added some case fans and removed one drive. You would not believe how much faster this machine is. I haven't froze up as of yet lets hope it stays this way. Anyone know how to get rid of that annoying windows bubble on the bottom right telling me my drive is near full(its my restore partition) I dont need it. Gotta love xp :) Thanks everyone for your help.

crayon

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

08/01/2006 11:04:13 PM · #22

Originally posted by liltritter:

it's the RAM :)

violinist123

Canon EOS-6D

08/01/2006 11:05:31 PM · #23

Yeah, RAM is the cheapest performance upgrade you can throw at a PC. Hopefully those fans keep you up and running now. Grats!

awpollard

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

08/01/2006 11:08:41 PM · #24

Grab TweakUI from Microsoft Window XP Powertoys you can do all kinds of fun things with the way Winders XP looks with this utility.

Run TweakUI, find 'Taskbar and Start menu' in the pane on the left and
click it.

uncheck 'Enable balloon tips.' in the right pane.

Message edited by author 2006-08-01 23:09:19.