Computer Hell

[Raffles]

Hey People,

My desktop PC is becoming unuseable, it just keeps crashing. All of the programmes I use most of the time are prone to crashing, be it Firefox, MS Office, GAIM, MSN Messenger, Zone-Alarm, Adaware and Spybot, Media Player, etc. It's really getting me down. The PC will also often just switch-off for no apparent reason!

I've recently formatted the disk, and don't know what programmes I have put on could cause any problems. I'm apparently clear of spyware, malware etc.

I've upped the vertual-memory to 1Gb, which I can afford to do. But it hasn't made a difference.

Any ideas? 'Cos I'm all out. I'm willing to try anything...

[jaybkay]

I had a similar problem recently, I'd managed to pull the processor fan wire off the motherboard so the BIOS kept saying the processor was too hot and promptly switch off. It could also show you have a problem with the power supply.

[Raffles]

OK cool. One of my mates had mentioned that the power pack could be the problem. I'll look into it. Cheers.

[Mattyboy101]

Similar things have happened to me with dodgy PSUs

[annodomini2]

Raffles said:

Hey People, My desktop PC is becoming unuseable, it just keeps crashing. All of the programmes I use most of the time are prone to crashing, be it Firefox, MS Office, GAIM, MSN Messenger, Zone-Alarm, Adaware and Spybot, Media Player, etc. It's really getting me down. The PC will also often just switch-off for no apparent reason! I've recently formatted the disk, and don't know what programmes I have put on could cause any problems. I'm apparently clear of spyware, malware etc.

Definitely sounds like a hardware problem.

Raffles said:

I've upped the vertual-memory to 1Gb, which I can afford to do. But it hasn't made a difference.

As you found out it didn't make any difference, this would only help on memory intensive programs such as AutoCAD or Photoshop.

I would agree with above sounds like PSU, although it could be motherboard or RAM, have you upgraded your memory recently, there are reportedly significant problems with compatibility on DDR ram, even from the same manufacturer, same model of RAM, this is why they are now selling matched pairs.

[Wildfire]

Yep sounds like hardware. Check out all the components bar the PSU with UBCD.

[Raffles]

I haven't changed my hardware for some time now. I'll check the PSU...

Cheers guys.

[ultimasimon]

I would put money on it being memory. Bad stick or gone bad. If you have two sticks in there, remove one. If problem continues, swap them. Failing that borrow some.

My gut feeling says memory.

[RobDickinson]

First thing to check is the CPU heatsink/fan, cheap fans break quickly and cause overheating/crashes.

Then reseat the memory and any cards/cables etc.