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Thread ID: 73415 2006-10-18 04:41:00 Another PC Freezing bfg9000 (11321) Press F1
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492398 2006-10-18 04:41:00 Hi, during the last week I noticed my pc freezing during games. This happened about 3 times during the week. It is rare that my pc freezes in such a way, usually the worst that can happen is that the application I'm using crashes and I can ctrl+alt+del out of it. But this is complete freezing of the computer.
Symptoms:

Each time I have to reset my computer to continue.

An audible, "CLICK" sound comes from my case before each freeze - possibly a HDD, not sure.

Sometimes the freeze is accompanied by distorted sounds in headphones - not good!

Both HDD's and optical drives are recognised at BIOS startup.

Freezes are happening more frequently now, sometimes before windows xp can startup.



I will list my hardware below along with approximate age, as most pieces are different ages due to upgrades or replacements over the years..


Gigabyte GA-8IPE1000 Pro2 motherboard, Socket 478, 800MHz FSB, 4xDIMM, DDR, 8XAGP, 5xPCI, 8xUSB 2 ==> less than 6 months

Intel Pentium 4, 3.0 GHz CPU, 800 Mhz FSB, Northwood Socket 478, Retail pack with fan ==> 2003

Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Value, PCI ==> 2005

Gigabyte GeForce 6800 video card, 128MB DDR, GeForce 6800, 8XAGP, DVI ==> 2005

2x Kingmax 512MB, DDR-SDRAM, PC200/266 ==> 2002

Western Digital Caviar WD800JB-SE Special Edition, 80 GB, 7,200rpm, 8192K cache, ATA-100, IDE Hard ==> 2002

Western Digital Caviar WD1800JB-SE Special Edition, 160 GB, 7,200rpm, 8192K cache, ATA-100, IDE Hard ==> 2003

Pioneer 106S DVD Drive, 16X DVD/40X CD, Internal, IDE, Slot version, OEM ==> 2002

Asus DRW-1608P3S DVD Writer, DVD 16R/16W/8RW, CD 40R/40W/32RW, Internal, IDE, Black ==> 3 weeks ago

Hyena 350W PSu ==> less than 6 months - computer repair man replaced my old PSU because he thought it was suspect


I'm thinking hardware is to blame for this but am open to ideas?
thanks in advance.
bfg9000 (11321)
492399 2006-10-18 05:10:00 Hyena PSU's are a heap of ****, i wouldnt trust one even if my life depended on it. I really doubt a 350w Hyena would safely and stably be able to power that system.

Test each individual component to make sure its not at fault. Use software like 3DMarks, Memtest and Prime95. Have you checked your system temps? Im assuming you havent removed the HSF recently? Have you check the case for excessive dust? Dust can restrict airflow and thus increase temps.

The clicking noise your hearing before the lock ups isnt a good signl, but i wouldnt imagine a failing harddrive would cause such lock ups.
Pete O'Neil (6584)
492400 2006-10-18 07:54:00 thanks for the reply,
I honestly hadn't heard of the Hyena brand, and I was suprised when the repair man replaced my enermax PSU without asking me! - I prefer to shop for parts myself .

As for overheating, I havent had a problem with that since I swapped my athlon cpu for the pentium, at least not that I'm aware of . The BIOS says my cpu is around 32degrees, I will try to find a temp when the cpu load is high .

Next thing I will try is disconnecting gfx card and some drives, I recently installed the asus dvd writer - that will be first .
bfg9000 (11321)
492401 2006-10-18 07:59:00 I wouldnt be surprised if the mobo is the prob .

Gigabyte mobos arent that great or that reliable .

I would get a better mobo . Like an ASUS .

The vidcard maybe ok, but the Nvidia drivers these days are crap .
Speedy Gonzales (78)
492402 2006-10-18 19:26:00 He swapped an Enermex for a Hyena, thats like going from a Ferrari down to a Lada. That guy obviously has no idea what hes doing, never take your PC back there. Pete O'Neil (6584)
492403 2006-10-19 07:31:00 yeah, i would be asking for your PSU back .

a 350 would be pushing it and hyena being a pos brand . . . . . .

also check CASE temps . case vents can block up (or lack of fans) causeing high case temps which can make motherboards and other devices do werid things including die early .
tweak'e (69)
492404 2006-10-19 22:57:00 I wouldnt be surprised if the mobo is the prob .

Gigabyte mobos arent that great or that reliable .

I would get a better mobo . Like an ASUS .

The vidcard maybe ok, but the Nvidia drivers these days are crap .
Thats some pretty radical advice Speedy, dont you think some proof that the motherboard is at fault would be a good idea? Ive used a few Gigabyte boards and cant find a problem with them . Seeing as ASUS and Gigabyte just created a new mega company they cant be that bad .
Pete O'Neil (6584)
492405 2006-10-20 06:59:00 update: After giving my case and all the fans & vents etc a good spraying with a can of Air Brush, freezes have stopped completely. So the overheating theory seems likely.
I'll keep an eye on temperature more often, especially when the weathers warmer. Thanks Pete O'Neil & tweak'e for your constructive input:thumbs:
bfg9000 (11321)
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