System locking up

Flatech · 01-15-2008, 09:28 PM

Just a quick question... I believe a system I'm working on is having a hardware issue related to over heating. The system is 5 to 6 years old and had Winxp home ed. sp2. user was installng simple kid games on it but everytime they went to try and play one the system would lock up as it loaded. I decided to reimage the system... but that is when I found that when you try to load anything back onto the drive it locks up. It only get as far as the beginning stage of installation. I have tryed even loading Win98se same issue. Also I have tryed different drives and memory still same issue. I believe the CPU is probally either getting hot or another component is and the system locks up then. Please if you have any other suggestions I would love to hear them. Thank you!

**OldGrayGary** · 01-15-2008, 11:58 PM

Hi Flatech

Some things to try ---
1) Enter Bios Setup & see it there are temp readings available in a "PC Health" menu (the wording can vary a lot: might say "Hardware Monitor"...). While in Bios Setup, you might as well make sure that the Bios Settings for the PC are correct (cpu and memory timings, power levels, etc.). If the date/time settings have reverted backwards several years - a new CMOS battery is likely needed (they only cost about $1.50). If you do change the battery -- you'll want to go through all the Bios Settings once again & get the values setup correctly.
2) Following anti-static precautions first (power off & unplugged), try opening the case. Then try running the system with the case open -- check for any fans that have failed, or are running inconsistently.
3) If the PC can stay on without locking up or overheating while in Bios Setup with the case open ... next try running some diagnostics.
Test the memory --- http://www.memtest.org
Test the hard drive --- http://www.tacktech.com/display.cfm?ttid=287
Do this just to make sure that whatever drives & memory you want to use while troubleshooting are themselves trouble-free.
4) If the system can't finish a normal run of diagnostics without locking up (but doesn't seem to be overheating) --- substitute a different power supply (of course, make sure it's compatible first ... some older OEMs [notably some older Dells] have power supplies with proprietary wiring.
5) If the system can run memory diagnostics without any problems, but fails when the hard drive is accessed - try a different IDE cable - and perhaps a different IDE controller.

Let us know if none of this helps - there are other things to try as well.
Best of luck,
. . . Gary

... and -- Welcome to the Tech Support Forums.

01-15-2008, 09:28 PM	#1 (permalink)
Flatech Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1 OS: win98se	System locking up Just a quick question... I believe a system I'm working on is having a hardware issue related to over heating. The system is 5 to 6 years old and had Winxp home ed. sp2. user was installng simple kid games on it but everytime they went to try and play one the system would lock up as it loaded. I decided to reimage the system... but that is when I found that when you try to load anything back onto the drive it locks up. It only get as far as the beginning stage of installation. I have tryed even loading Win98se same issue. Also I have tryed different drives and memory still same issue. I believe the CPU is probally either getting hot or another component is and the system locks up then. Please if you have any other suggestions I would love to hear them. Thank you!

01-15-2008, 11:58 PM	#2 (permalink)
OldGrayGary Mentor, Microsoft Support Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Woodland Hills, CA Posts: 2,240 OS: Windows 98se/2000/XP/Vista	Re: System locking up Hi Flatech Some things to try --- 1) Enter Bios Setup & see it there are temp readings available in a "PC Health" menu (the wording can vary a lot: might say "Hardware Monitor"...). While in Bios Setup, you might as well make sure that the Bios Settings for the PC are correct (cpu and memory timings, power levels, etc.). If the date/time settings have reverted backwards several years - a new CMOS battery is likely needed (they only cost about $1.50). If you do change the battery -- you'll want to go through all the Bios Settings once again & get the values setup correctly. 2) Following anti-static precautions first (power off & unplugged), try opening the case. Then try running the system with the case open -- check for any fans that have failed, or are running inconsistently. 3) If the PC can stay on without locking up or overheating while in Bios Setup with the case open ... next try running some diagnostics. Test the memory --- http://www.memtest.org Test the hard drive --- http://www.tacktech.com/display.cfm?ttid=287 Do this just to make sure that whatever drives & memory you want to use while troubleshooting are themselves trouble-free. 4) If the system can't finish a normal run of diagnostics without locking up (but doesn't seem to be overheating) --- substitute a different power supply (of course, make sure it's compatible first ... some older OEMs [notably some older Dells] have power supplies with proprietary wiring. 5) If the system can run memory diagnostics without any problems, but fails when the hard drive is accessed - try a different IDE cable - and perhaps a different IDE controller. Let us know if none of this helps - there are other things to try as well. Best of luck, . . . Gary ... and -- Welcome to the Tech Support Forums. __________________ Last edited by OldGrayGary; 01-16-2008 at 12:00 AM.