Personal Technology Information

Troubleshooting Computer Freeze (Lockup) Problems


How familiar does the following sound? Your computer was working fine, but then suddenly started locking up (aka hanging or freezing), rebooting itself (crashing) or shutting down spontaneously? If you know only too well what I am talking about, then read on! Performing the simple steps below can fix the majority of lockup cases.

1. Check for recently installed software or hardware.
If the lockups started to happen after you installed a new peace of hardware, new software program, or new drivers, uninstall it and see if the problem goes away.

2. Run your antivirus program.
One of the first things to do in the case of sudden lockups is to run your antivirus program. Check your antivirus manufacturer's website for updates and latest virus definition files. (This is absolutely necessary, outdated antivirus is not going to be of any use!) If you don't have antivirus software installed - or if updates are unavailable - run one of the web-based antivirus scans that some major antivirus vendors like Trend Micro are offering for free. You can find a comprehensive list of available web-based scans and free antivirus programs on http://www.free-antivirus.info.

3. Run some good spyware removal tool.
If your machine is not infected with any viruses, it is still possible that it has some harmful adware or spyware is present. Download and run some good spyware removal tool such as AdAware or Microsoft AntiSpyware. Check http://www.free-antivirus.info for a list of free spyware removal applications.

4. Check for free hard drive space.
When no viruses are found, check out free hard drive space on drive C:. Make sure there is more than 20% of free space available; low disk space can lead to random lockups.

5. Check for overheating.
Overheating is another known cause of lockups. It can be caused by problems with fans inside the case, dust buildup, or other cooling problems. Make sure the power supply fan and CPU fan are running and free of dust buildup. You can check the temperatures inside the case by running Motherboard monitorhttp://mbm.livewiredev.com- make sure the temperatures are within the preset limits. Be very careful while cleaning inside the computer case (use plastic vacuum crevice tool) and NEVER OPEN THE POWER SUPPLY CASE as it contains high voltage.

6. Check the hard disk.
Check the hard disk - it is possible that its logical structure is corrupted. To check the disk for errors, right-click on the disk C: icon in "My Computer", select the "Tools" tab, check all check boxes in the "Check disk options" field, and press the "Check now" button. It should ask whether you want to schedule the check next time you restart your computer - answer "Yes" and restart your PC. The check will be performed automatically after startup; it can take a while, so be patient. The program will attempt to fix some problems automatically - however, if the hard disk is failing physically, it will need to be replaced. It is also a good idea to run Disk Defragmenter (located in Start Menu > Programs > Accessories > System Tools) to optimize data placement on the hard disk for increased performance and reliability.

7. Check the memory.
Sometimes random lockups can be attributed to the computer memory (RAM) starting to fail. You can test the memory by running Windows Memory Diagnostic that can be downloaded from http://oca.microsoft.com/en/windiag.asp. If memory problems are found, try re-seating the RAM (pull it out and plug it back in). If it doesn't work, replace the defective RAM.

8. Check for other hardware problems (advanced users).
More hardware-related problems can be diagnosed by running hardware tests from the Ultimate Boot CD that can be downloaded from http://www.ultimatebootcd.com. However, you should only use it if you know what are you doing - some programs on that CD can be dangerous when used inappropriately (for example, some of them can wipe the contents of your hard disk).

9. Update Windows and drivers.
Some lockups can be caused by outdated software components - update your windows and drives by running a windows update: http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com (it's good idea to run it regularly).

The above steps will help diagnose and eliminate the most common causes of lockups. Hundreds more of other possible scenarios need to be dealt with on a case-by-case basis, as it all goes down to your particular computer configuration. Asking on PCtroubleshooting forums/newsgroups should help you figure out solutions to not-so-obvious lockup cases.

Michael Woodford is a computer expert from a team that runs HowToFixcomputers.com and CertFAQ.com.


MORE RESOURCES:

Solutions: Sending email without getting hung up by spelling suggestions
Tampabay.com
If it still stalls, go to Programs, Administrative Tools, Event Viewer and check the System log for any other clues, particularly any disc integrity messages. Send questions to personaltech@tampabay.com or Personal Tech, PO Box 1121, St. Petersburg, ...



ZDNet (blog)

Personal tech obsession: The quest for the next big… whatever
ZDNet (blog)
The exact use varies from one person to another, which is what makes personal tech so obsessive for many. Having experienced how profoundly the technology affects us is fuel for the burning desire to know what may be coming down the pike that may be ...

and more »


Solutions: You may be able to retrieve 'lost' data
Tampabay.com
Read the README.txt file at that site and follow the instructions for installation (moving RealThumb.DLL to the WINDOWS/SYSTEM32 folder). Send questions to personaltech@tampabay.com or Personal Tech, PO Box 1121, St. Petersburg, FL 33731.



Personal tech at work
Financial Express
: When Karan, a fresh graduate from an engineering college joined his new job, the first question he asked the IT manager was: “Can I retain my smartphone and sync it up with my office network?”. A blunt 'no' from the manager wasn't taken favourably by ...



Corrections: February 4
New York Times
An article on the Personal Tech pages on Jan. 19 about some lesser-known features of Twitter included outdated information for the way in which the site handles the link to a picture from another site. The photograph is displayed beneath a user's post ...



Houston Chronicle (blog)

Heres your open-comment thread, and the 10th anniversary Geek Gathering
Houston Chronicle (blog)
For you n00bs, it works like this: Leave a comment about something related to personal tech, and I'll approve it. Other folks will read what you said, and they'll respond. Come back later, see what they had to say, then say some more.

and more »


Baseline

Businesses Learn to Love Consumer IT
Baseline
By Dennis McCafferty on 2012-01-27 88% of executives say their employees freely use their own personal tech devices for business purposes. 60% of organizations are adapting their IT infrastructure to suit workers' personal devices.



Hindu Business Line

'Bring your own device' conceptgaining ground with corporates
Hindu Business Line
... Executive Council, Infosys, posted a blog entry titled 'The Two State World View and BYOC' on his blog 6ampacific.com in which he pointed out that he would end up missing his personal tech freedom because he was returning to Infosys.

and more »


CES: a hundred devices to rule them all
PC Advisor
Far from consolidating, personal tech grows ever more diverse. And that's a good thing. Beside reacquainting myself with proper tea and chips, writing this piece is the first thing I've attempted since stepping off the plane from Las Vegas, ...



Express from The Washington Post

Love Actualized
Express from The Washington Post
NW; 202-842-3055) bring a craftier, critter-strewn cool to all of your personal tech. To Bee or Not to Bee?: Do inanimate objects have existential crises? Does the Fuuvi Bee ($70, Audiocubes.com) wonder, “Should I exist? Does the world need a digital ...


Google News

home | site map
© 2006