Computer frequently freezes

[Doc Spock]

This happens about 5 or 6 times per day necessitating a re-boot.

If I constantly play music stored in PC from CD's it seems fine.

Any ideas before I chuck it through window.

[ACtheTROLL]

just throw it ....
at least you'll feel better :-)

the question is just a little too general
What else are you doing/what have you just done when pc freezes?

do you get error message/bsod
have you tried ctrl+alt+delete
(if it works ... what is the processor load)
is is 5-6 times throughout the day
at the same times (ish)
or 5-6 times ... on the trot

[Doc Spock]

Hi AC thanks for reply.

It just happens at any time. Cursor freezes, everything. Nothing appears. Just Dead.

Screensaver if active is frozen.

If Pc is working, ie playing music, it seems ok.

It is like the PC doesnot not like being idle.

[ACtheTROLL]

more Qs

does the machine actually freeze mid task ...
or does it refuse to (re)start after being idle for more than 30 mins or so?

XP or Vista....
do you have powersave set to standby go into standby?
or even worse hibernate?
is your bios set to advanced power saving?
does it happen if you disable screensaver and powersaving options

[Doc Spock]

Hi.

Freezes mid task, as in typing on here.

XP.

Not sure what powersave means.
It is as if the curser does not like being still.

[Doc Spock]

Also what is BIOS ?

[deggers316]

do a complete reinstall it will cure it takes time but comp will be like new,that's if nothing blown inside but worth a go before slinging it.also have you run a virus check and adaware check
i installed bbc player and accepted the peer to peer conditions it lays dfown and when i did not give comodo permission to let the bbc player have access it froze my comp and a restart was the only cure ,got rid of the bbc player after i got what i wanted to see off it

[ACtheTROLL]

powersaving is when your PC goes to sleep
Its configured by default ... and can result in what you're describing if this is the problem (no guarantee!) a re-install won't make any difference

http://saveenergy.about.com/od/savingenergyatt heoffice/ss/XPPowerSave.htm

[deggers316]

atroll
the install will correct and altered defaults which power saving isnt' one
ive installed dozens of xps' and reinstall mine once a year, this power saving incident that doc spock mentions fhas never arisen on my comp

[deggers316]

doc spock
go into display, go to screensaver, go to power options at the bottom apply "never" to these 3
turn monitor off
turn hard disks off
system stand by
click apply
see if thats does it

[ACtheTROLL]

deg
Strikes me it's just a bit of a shotgun to kill a fly solution.

My thought is that it's something to do with standby ... which your last suggestion covers - and I fully expect this will solve the problem - far easier to try this option first

I'm betting that this is actually due to a rogue windows update which will clear up in a couple of months (but that's not a solution)

I also re-install once a year ... it's good practice ... unless you aren't computer literate ... and then it generally means hours of frustration ... lost data ... and a bill from the local "expert".

However ... this is my job - I work in a large company ... data and desktop - as a result I've installed thousands of copies of XP (you started this;-) 2000, 98 95 3.11 and dos all the way back to 3.2 (still in the dozens with Vista)

One thing I know for certain is how uncertain the game is .... punters have an incredible talent for discovering new combinations which lead to disaster - coupled with MSs unerring talent for chaos - I have a job for life

depends on the bios options that are set (they always overide an XP install - which IS set for standby unless you override with hardware settings - except some laptops which don't have direct bios access)

[deggers316]

well said troll
point taken

[Doc Spock]

Thank you all.