Keyboard and Mouse Freeze

mdavison69 · 07-06-2006, 04:21 PM

Hello all,

i am trying to diagnose a machine that we use as a graphics generator in a studio. the keyboard and mouse will randomly freeze up. we dont know if the computer is still running and its just the keyboard and mouse or if the whole machine is freezing up. (we are still investigating) the problem is occuring more often than it used to. it has windows 98 and 256MB ram. i dont know what proccessor or speed it is, and the machine is not hooked to the internet, so its not a virus or anything like that. (i hope)

any ideas or suggestions? Does anybody think its hardware or software related?

coVert · 07-06-2006, 04:46 PM

Have you tried different keyboard and mouse? Also does this happen when you are running a certain program or is it completely random?

Geekgirl · 07-07-2006, 08:17 AM

Does it freeze in Safe Mode?

mdavison69 · 07-07-2006, 08:36 AM

We have tried a diffrent keyboard and mouse. Since we use it as a graphics generator it almost always has the same program running - but other than that the problem appears almost completley randomly. - although it is happening more and more. the computer has been running problem free for almost 4 years now. I did put it into safe mode, but soon discovered that i coulnt run the software needed on it, so i couldnt leave it in safe mode because it needed to be used. so i dont know for sure if it will "freeze" in safe mode or not - i will try to get some time to let it run a while in safe mode.

Anybody got any ideas?

Thanks.

Zazula · 07-07-2006, 09:42 AM

The five first things I'd check out would be:
a. Temperatures inside the machine.
b. The health of the RAM chips with this.
c. The health of the power supply.
d. The integrity of the hdd (should be an oldie with the 98...)
e. Another vga card.

Post back if you need further clarifications on any of the above.

kpmwrestler · 07-07-2006, 09:53 AM

Try a usb mouse and/or keyboard. My xp machine froze up with a regular keyboard, but usb was fine. Try also a repair install. of the os.

mdavison69 · 07-07-2006, 01:29 PM

We have a diffrent vga card in the machine now. I ran the memory test and everything passed - even with the Extened Tests. and the temperatures shouldnt matter with this machine - when the problem first appeared it was sitting in a heavily air conditioned area, and all the fans appear to be running. Also on occasion it will freeze almost immediatley(when windows starts up - and other times its been on and in use for several hours) I will possibley try to swap out the power supply and see if the problem persists. And unfortunatly i dont have a usb keyboard or mouse availible to me - otherwise i would like to try it. Is there a way to test the hard disk, other than scan disk - and not have to pay for the software?

Thanks Again.

Geekgirl · 07-07-2006, 01:36 PM

There sure is ,find the manufacturer of your hard drive and run their Hard Drive Diagnostics Utility.

kpmwrestler · 07-07-2006, 04:40 PM

Check this link out. It looks like exactly what you need. http://www.download.com/Computer-Sol...ml?tag=lst-0-4

mdavison69 · 08-01-2006, 12:22 PM

Well I tried tested the hard drive on it, and it came back just fine, same with the ram chips... I was able to find some time to leave it in safe mode for a while - and it did not freeze up. I have been able to check some temperatures with a program called speedfan i got from download.com. all of the temperatures seem to be ok - even just before it freezes. but i noticed (in my speedfan program) that the vcore voltage varies about a 1/10 of a volt all the time. all of the other "voltages" seem ok. - maybe this has something to do with it? - by the way, there is a diffrent powersupply in it right now and it seems to be causing more problems now than there was before. - we also have another motherboard that could be swaped if anybody thinks that will help.

Any Thoughts? Possible 2 faulty power supplies?

kpmwrestler · 08-01-2006, 04:17 PM

You could temporarily use the onscreen keyboard in start/programs/accessories/accessability

mdavison69 · 08-02-2006, 12:30 PM

We decided it is the entire machine freezing up, not just the keyboard and mouse as it appeared.

kpmwrestler · 08-02-2006, 01:10 PM

Could be a ram problem then.

mdavison69 · 08-03-2006, 08:56 AM

I tested the Ram, it all came back fine.

mdavison69 · 08-07-2006, 04:59 PM

I replaced the motherboard with a similar model and it appears to have solved the problem.

Geekgirl · 08-07-2006, 06:12 PM

So the mobo was at fault, sometimes those issues are tough to resolve. Glad you got it working.

07-06-2006, 04:21 PM	#1 (permalink)
mdavison69 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Northfield, MN Posts: 115 OS: XP, Linux	Keyboard and Mouse Freeze Hello all, i am trying to diagnose a machine that we use as a graphics generator in a studio. the keyboard and mouse will randomly freeze up. we dont know if the computer is still running and its just the keyboard and mouse or if the whole machine is freezing up. (we are still investigating) the problem is occuring more often than it used to. it has windows 98 and 256MB ram. i dont know what proccessor or speed it is, and the machine is not hooked to the internet, so its not a virus or anything like that. (i hope) any ideas or suggestions? Does anybody think its hardware or software related? __________________ Mike.D

07-07-2006, 08:17 AM	#3 (permalink)
Geekgirl Assistant Manager, Microsoft Support Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Six-burgh, Pennsylvania Posts: 14,186 OS: XP Home SP3/XP Pro SP3/Vista Ultimate SP2/Windows 7 Professional	Does it freeze in Safe Mode? __________________ Compare NOD32 to your current antivirus and anti-spyware solution, HERE How to back up and restore the registry in Windows XP and Windows Vista Or Windows 7 How to back up and restore the registry in Windows 98/ ME / NT 4.0 / 2000 I DO NOT ACCEPT EMAILS AND WILL NOT REPLY TO THEM !!!!! TSF DOES NOT SUPPORT ASSISTANCE THROUGH EMAIL OR PRIVATE MESSAGES, PLEASE KEEP ALL QUESTIONS IN THE OPEN FORUM *The Pittsburgh Steelers - 6 X Superbowl Champions !!!!!!!* *The Pittsburgh Penguins - 2009 Stanley Cup Champions !!!!!!!*

07-07-2006, 08:36 AM	#4 (permalink)
mdavison69 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Northfield, MN Posts: 115 OS: XP, Linux	We have tried a diffrent keyboard and mouse. Since we use it as a graphics generator it almost always has the same program running - but other than that the problem appears almost completley randomly. - although it is happening more and more. the computer has been running problem free for almost 4 years now. I did put it into safe mode, but soon discovered that i coulnt run the software needed on it, so i couldnt leave it in safe mode because it needed to be used. so i dont know for sure if it will "freeze" in safe mode or not - i will try to get some time to let it run a while in safe mode. Anybody got any ideas? Thanks. __________________ Mike.D

07-07-2006, 09:42 AM	#5 (permalink)
Zazula Manager Emeritus, I'm blond, James Blond Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Athens, Greece Posts: 7,667 OS: Win XP Pro SP2	The five first things I'd check out would be: a. Temperatures inside the machine. b. The health of the RAM chips with this. c. The health of the power supply. d. The integrity of the hdd (should be an oldie with the 98...) e. Another vga card. Post back if you need further clarifications on any of the above. __________________ "Time is the wisest because it discovers everything" Thales of Miletus (ca.624BC-ca.546BC) "Everything flows, nothing stands still." Heraclitus of Ephesus (ca.535BC-475BC) "One thing I know, that I know nothing" Socrates of Athens (ca.470BC–399BC)

07-07-2006, 01:29 PM	#7 (permalink)
mdavison69 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Northfield, MN Posts: 115 OS: XP, Linux	We have a diffrent vga card in the machine now. I ran the memory test and everything passed - even with the Extened Tests. and the temperatures shouldnt matter with this machine - when the problem first appeared it was sitting in a heavily air conditioned area, and all the fans appear to be running. Also on occasion it will freeze almost immediatley(when windows starts up - and other times its been on and in use for several hours) I will possibley try to swap out the power supply and see if the problem persists. And unfortunatly i dont have a usb keyboard or mouse availible to me - otherwise i would like to try it. Is there a way to test the hard disk, other than scan disk - and not have to pay for the software? Thanks Again. __________________ Mike.D

07-06-2006, 04:46 PM	#2 (permalink)
coVert Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: KY Posts: 29 OS: XP	Have you tried different keyboard and mouse? Also does this happen when you are running a certain program or is it completely random?

07-07-2006, 09:53 AM	#6 (permalink)
kpmwrestler Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 186 OS: win98/winxp, MS-DOS/win31/NT	Try a usb mouse and/or keyboard. My xp machine froze up with a regular keyboard, but usb was fine. Try also a repair install. of the os.

07-07-2006, 01:36 PM	#8 (permalink)
Geekgirl Assistant Manager, Microsoft Support Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Six-burgh, Pennsylvania Posts: 14,186 OS: XP Home SP3/XP Pro SP3/Vista Ultimate SP2/Windows 7 Professional	There sure is ,find the manufacturer of your hard drive and run their Hard Drive Diagnostics Utility. __________________ Compare NOD32 to your current antivirus and anti-spyware solution, HERE How to back up and restore the registry in Windows XP and Windows Vista Or Windows 7 How to back up and restore the registry in Windows 98/ ME / NT 4.0 / 2000 I DO NOT ACCEPT EMAILS AND WILL NOT REPLY TO THEM !!!!! TSF DOES NOT SUPPORT ASSISTANCE THROUGH EMAIL OR PRIVATE MESSAGES, PLEASE KEEP ALL QUESTIONS IN THE OPEN FORUM *The Pittsburgh Steelers - 6 X Superbowl Champions !!!!!!!* *The Pittsburgh Penguins - 2009 Stanley Cup Champions !!!!!!!*

07-07-2006, 04:40 PM	#9 (permalink)
kpmwrestler Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 186 OS: win98/winxp, MS-DOS/win31/NT	Check this link out. It looks like exactly what you need. http://www.download.com/Computer-Sol...ml?tag=lst-0-4

08-01-2006, 12:22 PM	#10 (permalink)
mdavison69 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Northfield, MN Posts: 115 OS: XP, Linux	Well I tried tested the hard drive on it, and it came back just fine, same with the ram chips... I was able to find some time to leave it in safe mode for a while - and it did not freeze up. I have been able to check some temperatures with a program called speedfan i got from download.com. all of the temperatures seem to be ok - even just before it freezes. but i noticed (in my speedfan program) that the vcore voltage varies about a 1/10 of a volt all the time. all of the other "voltages" seem ok. - maybe this has something to do with it? - by the way, there is a diffrent powersupply in it right now and it seems to be causing more problems now than there was before. - we also have another motherboard that could be swaped if anybody thinks that will help. Any Thoughts? Possible 2 faulty power supplies? __________________ Mike.D Last edited by mdavison69; 08-01-2006 at 12:33 PM.

08-01-2006, 04:17 PM	#11 (permalink)
kpmwrestler Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 186 OS: win98/winxp, MS-DOS/win31/NT	You could temporarily use the onscreen keyboard in start/programs/accessories/accessability

08-02-2006, 12:30 PM	#12 (permalink)
mdavison69 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Northfield, MN Posts: 115 OS: XP, Linux	We decided it is the entire machine freezing up, not just the keyboard and mouse as it appeared. __________________ Mike.D

08-02-2006, 01:10 PM	#13 (permalink)
kpmwrestler Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 186 OS: win98/winxp, MS-DOS/win31/NT	Could be a ram problem then.

08-03-2006, 08:56 AM	#14 (permalink)
mdavison69 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Northfield, MN Posts: 115 OS: XP, Linux	I tested the Ram, it all came back fine. __________________ Mike.D

08-07-2006, 04:59 PM	#15 (permalink)
mdavison69 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Northfield, MN Posts: 115 OS: XP, Linux	I replaced the motherboard with a similar model and it appears to have solved the problem. __________________ Mike.D

08-07-2006, 06:12 PM	#16 (permalink)
Geekgirl Assistant Manager, Microsoft Support Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Six-burgh, Pennsylvania Posts: 14,186 OS: XP Home SP3/XP Pro SP3/Vista Ultimate SP2/Windows 7 Professional	So the mobo was at fault, sometimes those issues are tough to resolve. Glad you got it working. __________________ Compare NOD32 to your current antivirus and anti-spyware solution, HERE How to back up and restore the registry in Windows XP and Windows Vista Or Windows 7 How to back up and restore the registry in Windows 98/ ME / NT 4.0 / 2000 I DO NOT ACCEPT EMAILS AND WILL NOT REPLY TO THEM !!!!! TSF DOES NOT SUPPORT ASSISTANCE THROUGH EMAIL OR PRIVATE MESSAGES, PLEASE KEEP ALL QUESTIONS IN THE OPEN FORUM *The Pittsburgh Steelers - 6 X Superbowl Champions !!!!!!!* *The Pittsburgh Penguins - 2009 Stanley Cup Champions !!!!!!!*