Re: Help With Computer Lockups

From: JD (Erehwon_at_Example.com)
Date: 12/09/04 

Date: Wed, 8 Dec 2004 22:26:42 -0800

Wow. I really appreciate all of the info and advice. I've copied it for
study.
Forgive my naivete, but I'm still not clear what is meant by "power supply."
I might also note that I've never found any "events" associated with these
lockups, and Device Manager says all hardware is configured and working
properly. No flags.
Are these periodic lockups actually signs of an "intermittenly failing
computer"?
"w_tom" <w_tom1@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:41B78B40.3AB23831@hotmail.com...
> Lets start with the myths. That surge protector does
> nothing - remains inert - until it sees, for example, 330+
> volts on the 120 volt line. IOW it might (and might is a
> major topic in itself) see that transient once every eight
> years. Five types of power problems - blackouts, brownouts,
> harmonics, noise, and transients. The surge protector only
> claims to protect from a very limited number of events in the
> fifth category. In fact, the plug-in protector could,
> sometime in the future, even make it easier for a transient to
> damage the powered off computer. Word association - surge
> protector = surge protection - is called junk science
> reasoning. Another topic that is not revelant to your
> problem.
>
> This is XP which means fewer things cause problems. Start
> with dividing the system into parts - software and hardware.
> This is how we fix problems so that they are easy to find;
> then fix. Again, notice the process. Find first. Fix much
> later.
>
> Important information you must have up front are data from
> system (event) log, Device Manager, readings on power supply
> using a 3.5 digit multimter, and comprehensive diagnostics
> provided free by any responsible computer manufacturer. If
> your computer manufacturer is not responsible, then download
> diagnostics for individual components from each component
> manufacturer or from third party diagnostic sources. Hardware
> that can cause XP Operating System problems is quite limited
> (unlike the less stable Windows 9x/ME). It includes sound
> card, video controller, memory, CPU sub-system, and power
> supply. Notice things not on the list include mouse,
> keyboard, disk drive, etc.
>
> Start by confirming integrity of the foundation - the
> hardware. We look at software (Windows, application programs,
> etc) later. The fastest component to verify and the component
> that can cause the most strange problems is a power supply.
> Again, there is no less expensive solution to verifying a
> power supply - and it takes but a few minutes. Get the so
> ubiquitous 3.5 digit multimeter. Even $20 meters are
> sufficient. Procedure (that will take much longer to read
> than it takes to confirm power supply) is previously provided
> in "Computer doesnt start at all" in alt.comp.hardware on 10
> Jan 2004 at
> http://tinyurl.com/2t69q or
> "I think my power supply is dead" in alt.comp.hardware on 5
> Feb 2004 at http://tinyurl.com/yvbw9 .
>
> Again, solution is only complex and difficult when someone
> does shotgunning - try this, then try that, then try replacing
> the other thing. Shotgunners promote scams. Effective
> solution is obtained quite easily by first collecting
> necessary facts - and only fixing things much later. Notice
> the above tools that are absolutely necessary.
>
> A final point, heat is not a reason for failure. Heat is
> how we find defective hardware before that hardware fails
> completely. Too many had a failure, put a fan on it, it then
> worked, and he then *assumed* heat caused a problem. He did
> not know why which is makes him part of the problem.
> Reality. Heat is a diagnostic tool. Put a hairdryer on high
> to selectively heat computer components. Then execute the
> comprehensive diagnostic. A defect component that passed
> diagnostics at room temperature may expose itself when so hot
> as to be uncomfortable to touch. This is normal operating
> temperature to any component inside a computer. If that
> component does not operate at those human uncomforable
> temperatures, then the component is 100% defective. We have
> just located one source of intermittent failures.
>
> Heat is only blamed for computer failures when the CE
> technician never first learned numbers from datasheets.
> Numbers say that component must work fine even under a
> hairdryer on high. Numbers says the computer must work just
> fine with only one chassis fan even when the computer is
> inside a 100 degree F room. Heat is how we find defective
> hardware.
>
> Defective memory is best identified by a comprehensive
> memory diagnostic when heated. Notice the trend. Don't work
> harder. Work smarter. Provided above are just some of the
> techniques to find an intermittently failing computer - long
> before it becomes a hard and final failure.
>
> Where would I start first? Collect standard information
> now. Device Manager, event log, etc. Based upon your
> symptoms, move on (and don't even ask why) to a 3.5 digit
> multimeter to confirm power supply integrity. Then hairdyer
> heat memory to execute a comprehensive memory diagnostic.
> You are a long away from fixing anything yet. Trying to fix
> something without necessary facts is called shotgunning -
> which is why others say fixing intermittents is difficult.
> Work smarter. You now have tools to do so.
>
> JD wrote:
>> I don't know what overclocking is, but according to the Task
>> Manager, memory is barely used, and all applications open and close
>> fast. When you say power supply, I'm again unsure what you mean. The
>> system is plugged into the wall via a large and expensive surge
>> protector. Is that what you're referring to? On one (exceptional)
>> occasion the lockup occurred as the winning cards were falling in
>> the Spider Solitaire game. Fortunately, it has never happened
>> when I've had a Word document open, so I've not lost any data.
>> I'll check the functioning of the cooling fan.

Quantcast