Quick overview:
Your PC simply freezes during operation or crashes for no reason at all? In my current Freezestopguide you will find 11 possible solutions to this problem:
1. The working memory may be defective. Find out here how you can counteract the problem: Windows 2000/XP Instructions and Windows 98/Me instructions. If this does not help, we recommend replacing the RAM, which may well be faulty.
2. Go to the "ENTF" or "F2" in the BIOS (other key combinations are possible with different BIOS versions - please refer to the manual) and search the various categories for terms such as "Latency" and "CAS Timing" etc. (often the section with Chipset in the name). Set these memory timings to the highest possible numbers or values and move the cursor to the entries and enter e.g. "PAGE UP/DOWN" or "ENTER" button to change the options. After saving (and remembering or writing down) the settings (you usually have to press "Z" for Yes, as the English keyboard layout is set), you should try working on the PC again and test the computer.
If all threads break, we advise you to set all BIOS settings to "Default" (usually a separate menu item) or on "Standards" setting. Print out the BIOS entries (if possible) or write down the most important settings in case the computer no longer boots up (very unlikely with the default values, but has happened to me, for example - after 2 minutes of trying everything was fine again).
3. Plan a BIOS update, which you will receive from the mainboard manufacturer:
a) Download the current BIOS for your mainboard from e.g. www.msi-computer.de (mainboard manufacturer). Make sure that the designations match exactly and that the version offered there (e.g. 1.9) is more up-to-date than the version displayed when you boot up (directly on the memory counter screen).
b) Unpack the downloaded archive with e.g. WinAce 2.2, which you can download from www.winace.com will be received. In this archive you will usually find a .bat or .exe file, which is intended for use under DOS. For further instructions, read the enclosed Readme.txt carefully and follow the instructions!
c) For example, insert the Windows 98/Me CD into the drive and select in the BIOS under "BIOS Features Setup" or under "Boat" the "CD-ROM" or "D:\" (or E:\, F:\ etc...) as the drive from which to start first. The corresponding entry is usually called "Boot from" or "Boot Sequence". However, the terms in the BIOS can differ drastically from version to version! With this DOS CD or diskette, you can access DOS via a simple boot menu. If you do not have such a CD to hand, create a suitable DOS diskette (if you do not have one):
- Open the "Workplace" and click with the right mouse button on "3½ diskette" and select "Formatting". First mark that you want to format the diskette as an MS-DOS start diskette. In Windows Me/98, click on the "System control" on "Software" and can be found under "Start disk" right away. Now all you have to do in the BIOS is set the "Boot Sequence" (see above) to "Floppy" and reboot. It is best to copy the BIOS update to the floppy disk or to a second floppy disk if there is not enough space - DOS cannot always be installed on NTFS partitions which is important in the case of Windows 2000/XP.
d) As soon as the MS-DOS "Shell" (command prompt) is displayed, switch to the floppy disk drive by pressing "A:\" (ENTER) (if this is not already your currently selected drive). Now you must enter "you" (ENTER) to display the content. Now type in the name of the BIOS update, e.g. "awd_flsh19.exe" and follow the instructions - usually it is only a one-time ENTER (see screenshot) even if the program looks very complicated (very rarely the case). Make sure that you do not pull out the diskette or that there is no likelihood of a power failure - this could damage your computer! After a restart, the BIOS update should hopefully have done its job and eliminated the freezes!
4. Also check the temperature of the CPU in the BIOS, which can usually be found under "Hardware Monitor". If this value exceeds the 70 degree limit or comes close to it, a new cooler is highly recommended: A nice store is http://www.pc-cooling.de, which always helps with the selection of the cooler. The prices are also kept within a good range! Alternatively, you can also use the CPUCool 7.2 which measures the CPU temperature!
AMD processors in particular are not sufficiently protected against overheating compared to Intel processors and can suffer permanent damage. Intel CPUs (from Pentium III onwards) slow down the clock cycles (Pentium IV) or crash (Pentium III), but the hardware is not damaged. AMD processors can burn out at high temperatures or with poor ventilation, as only the successor to the Athlon (the one with max. 1400 Mhz) has protection (and only in conjunction with a special motherboard).
Also check all fans in the housing (CPU, graphics card, etc.) to see if they are still turning. If not, the dust should be scraped or blown out!
5. If you have installed many components in your computer (more than 4 cards/ 2 drives), the power supply unit can also be the bottleneck, as the power supply is no longer sufficient! However, even powerful graphics cards (GeForce 4 or ATI Radeon) require quite a bit of power supply power, which is why 300 watts should be the minimum! Therefore, if all else fails, opt for a 400 watt power supply for around 90 euros.
6. update all drivers on your system. Open the homepages of e.g. www.nvidia.com, www.ati.com, www.soundblaster.com www.terratec.de and install the latest drivers.
7. The Kyro FAQ was very interesting for me as a KyroII user, but it is also suitable for general problems with freezes (hangers): http://www.mitrax.de/faq.php. Many of the solutions may also interest ATI/Nvidia users!
8. Download the latest chipset drivers: For Via chipsets, the first port of call is www.viaarena.com and with Intel chipsets you should http://appsr.intel.com/scripts-df/support_intel.asp and there under "Chipset software" to install the appropriate drivers. The chipset identifier is ideal if you do not know your chipset - the boot process or the manual also provide the key. Chipset identification: http://support.intel.com/support/chipsets/chipsetid.htm. I have to be honest: I don't have an Intel chipset in my test computer here, so I can't check the programs for accuracy, what I do know is that you can certainly be helped on the first link (after some searching) if my hint led nowhere!
9. Use the following tip to prevent programs from starting automatically, which often cause such crashes due to conflicts with each other and with Windows: Deactivate hidden autostart programs!
10. Download the current Service Pack 1 for Windows XP (123 MB) and the Service Pack 3 for Windows 2000 (125 MB) to solve the most common problems.
11. Perhaps a specific piece of hardware is responsible for the crash: Remove all components (TV cards, sound cards, etc.) one by one to find the culprit!
12. The hard disk is also a known culprit for crashes and uncommented freezes. We advise you to check it completely first: Click on Start/Programs/Accessories/System programs/ScanDisk and select under Extended the full range of verification options. As soon as you click on OK you can use the Intensive-mark the checkbox and Start - do this with all drives! If this does not help, you should look for a new or working hard disk (but test this first, e.g. with a friend's hard disk - don't buy a new hard disk for nothing)
This Freezestopguide will grow over time to offer you the maximum range of possible solutions! Several users have already posted their own experiences in the forum:
- PC hangs (Windows Tweaks Forum)
NOTE FOR NEW PUBLICATION: This article was produced by Sandro Villinger and comes from the Windows tweaks archive, which has been built up since the late 1990s.
On Windows Tweaks you will find time-saving tech guides for PC, software & Microsoft. For a stress-free digital everyday life. Already we have been "tweaking" Windows since 1998 and just won't stop!
