[OabAli]

Hi TSF mods and members!
Sorry if this thread is created in the wrong area.

I've recently been suffering an issue with my Windows XP (SP3) PC (specs below): the system completely freezes within a short amount of time (estimating 10 - 15 seconds) after the login screen appears (no BSOD).

Now, I am still able to login, (i.e. type in password, etc.) but the system would still freeze just as my desktop and other startup applications load.
If I don't do anything at the login screen, the system freezes there (within the 10 - 15 sec.) as well.
I also notice whenever the system freezes, my keyboard "Lock" lights suddenly turn off.

This issue started 2 days ago (May 1st 2009), when I noticed it would freeze, but after 20 - 30 seconds. This happend twice, but the third time I successfully started up Windows, and after 4 hours, no freezing issues occured.
The next day, the system froze out of the blue while I was browsing the net, after 6 hours. After that, freezing within 10 - 15 seconds after the Windows login screen occured, which is what I'm suffering now.

I have tried 'Load Fail-Safe Defaults' in the BIOS, and Safe Mode, which I was able to run without freezing issues :chgrin:, where I did a virus scan and System Restore (to checkpoints at 28th April, then at 26th April), with no luck.

I'm not sure if this helps, but I remember recently downloading a whole bunch of Windows Updates (which I have neglected to download over the past few months), and it might have something to do with why my system is freezing.

I was thinking of repairing Windows XP, but I want to enquire before making any radical decisions.

Any suggestions as to how I may solve this issue?
Thanks in advance!

 

[Riskyone101]

Hello and Welcome to TSF,

Your pc is underpowered, (GW 550W PSU)

The psu is the heart of the system, without this component or the right one with enough power the video card, motherboard, and harddrive can get damaged or rendered useless.

For this system you need atleast an 700 to 750 watt psu preferrably Corsair psu.

This is an example of what you will need for the pc:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006

 

[OabAli]

Hello and Welcome to TSF,

Your pc is underpowered, (GW 550W PSU)

The psu is the heart of the system, without this component or the right one with enough power the video card, motherboard, and harddrive can get damaged or rendered useless.

For this system you need atleast an 700 to 750 watt psu preferrably Corsair psu.

This is an example of what you will need for the pc:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006

Really?

I've been using my PC with that PSU for about 5 months now. Is my system freezing because the PSU has "burned out" and can't supply enough power to the components?

I just need to be absolutely sure the PSU is the problem, before I spend that kind of money on it.

I also forgot to mention, weird screeching sounds are heard from my speakers right at the moment when the system freezes, and sometimes continue to occur after the freeze.

Thanks for replying BTW.

 

[OabAli]

Discovered something really peculiar.

I found a toothpick inside my PSU! It was lying under the main circuit board. I managed to remove it with a paper clip and pliers. Despite my efforts, the system still froze within 10 seconds after Windows startup.

My brother admitted to inserting tootpicks in my PC out of spite, but it was about a month ago. Could this be the cause of my system freezing? Any other suggestions?

 

[Nofew]

That could very well be the cause... Perhaps a toothpick got sucked into the fan after a while and some fragments hit parts of the circuit, causing them to get blocked. I suggest putting him in the corner while resottering the connections or purchasing a new PSU (Preferably of greater power, just in case).

A slightly weak power supply (Keyword, Slightly) would be able to power a system for an hour or two before randomly shutting down. If you've never had your PC on for a while over this limit it explains why your PSU worked. It never ran too low on current to have to shut off, but it's just barely underpowered. Of course though, having an entire circuit cut off would cause it to be much weaker, not slightly. I'm not even sure how it's turned on or not smoking, but then again, I'm amazed my laptop still works after having rain pour down on it with the fan openings pointed straight at the downpour too. Computers can be strange..

 

[OabAli]

That could very well be the cause... Perhaps a toothpick got sucked into the fan after a while and some fragments hit parts of the circuit, causing them to get blocked. I suggest putting him in the corner while resottering the connections or purchasing a new PSU (Preferably of greater power, just in case).

A slightly weak power supply (Keyword, Slightly) would be able to power a system for an hour or two before randomly shutting down. If you've never had your PC on for a while over this limit it explains why your PSU worked.

Nah, I had my PC turned on for an average 6+ hours a day before the freezing started, playing performance-hungry games like COD4, GTAIV, and Crysis (demo).

Nevertheless, I might take my PC to the local repair store and see what they have to say. Even if the culprit isn't PSU-related in the end, I will probably get a new one anyways, as it is risky running a PC with a PSU that once had a toothpick (or two maybe) inside it :lol:. I was thinking of getting a 850W one, 'cause I might upgrade my graphics card in the future.

Any other suggestions to solving the issue? Is it really the PSU's fault?

 

[Riskyone101]

It is risky running the pc witrh an underpowered psu!!!!!!!!!!

Please follow my advice here, you need a psu with atleast 700 to 750 watts!

A good quality psu at that also like per say....

Corsair
Hipower
Thermaltake
Antec

Stay away from aprevia or any other low quality psu`s.

Go here and read this also:

http://www.techsupportforum.com/f210/power-supply-information-and-selection-192217.html

Note: I would recommend not running the pc until the psu is replaced, why do you not listen to the great advice and correct advice I am giving you?

 

[OabAli]

OK, OK, OK...

I will purchase a new PSU. I assume this PSU will do fine, as it is one of the recommended ones in that 'Power Supply Information and Selection' thread you directed me to.

I'll keep you posted on when I will actually purchase and install the new PSU (maybe a week or two), if it solves the freezing problem, and I might ask some questions along the way. Keeping my fingers crossed!

Thanks :wave:

 

[Riskyone101]

Your welcome,

That will be fine to use for the pc, congrats thats alot of meney to spend on one
but if thats what you want thats fine and will do a great job for the pc you have there.

It definitely will solve the freezing problem, also the noise coming from through the speakers was feedback from the psu by the way, wow it can even damage the speakers too!, never crossed my mind.

 

[OabAli]

Hey Riskyone101

Yesterday, before I had the chance to purchase the PSU, I solved the freezing issue!

Turns out it was some sort of a software conflict. I'm not sure which software was the cause of it, because I aimlessly deleted a whole bunch of software and a couple of startup processes in safe mode, to get where I am now.

Some software I remember deleting: Gigabyte Energy Saver (mobo utility, most likely the cause IMO), Need for Speed III (old game), FRAPS, Avira AntiVir: Free Edition (getting McAfee soon), Microsoft IntelliType Pro (keyboard driver), nVidia (graphics card) drivers, RealTek (sound card) drivers, others I can't recall

Some startup processes: Steam, FRAPS, iTunesHelper, others

And don't worry, I'll still get a new PSU, but since it isn't so urgent, and I'm busy with some projects, it'll have to wait for another time (a month or two).

Thanks for ur support!

 

[xxiiv]

Wait, I think I'm having the same problems with this guy. you said it was a software conflict? how'd you solve it?