Author Topic: PC freeze and subsequent problem (Read 2727 times)

daveeb · « **on:** August 06, 2005, 10:55 »

Hi guys n gals, not sure if this is hardware or software but here goes

I write a lot of dvd video discs with nero as i make multiple backups of everything. After the first bootup of the day the machine has started locking up early on in the burn stage. No response to alt/ctrl/del so i have to hard boot (no soft reset button). The first reboot usually results in a permanent grey screen just after the win XP logo. I then have to do a second hard boot and the machine seems to work ok after that and i can burn away merrily. The problem has also occured moving video files using win explorer so i dont think the problem is with nero. This is costing me a ruined dvd every day.

any ideas ? it just seems odd that things seem to work ok after i've finally got back into windows. :?

machine is a medion P4, XP sp2, 3.2 GHZ, 1 GB ram, usb wireless keyboard and mouse.

Simon · « **Reply #1 on:** August 06, 2005, 11:16 »

Just guessing, Dave, but is it possible that something is not closing properly, or being left behind when you shut down the machine? As you said, it seems to be something that happens on initial startup, then clears after the reboots. Nero does store temporary files, so maybe something isn't being cleared when you close Nero?

daveeb · « **Reply #2 on:** August 06, 2005, 11:39 »

Yes you could be right. i'll have a look in the nero menus and see if i can break it properly

Sandra · « **Reply #3 on:** August 06, 2005, 12:50 »

That sounds like it may be a RAM problem Dave

Have you got 2 x 512mb or one stick of 1 gb ?
If you have two sticks, pull one out and see if it does the same. If it does then switch to the other one and check again. Mine was doing similar things on startup and it turned out to be one stick had gone faulty.

If you only have the one stick then you will need to run a memory diagnostic program sush as the one from here :

http://www.memtest86.com/

daveeb · « **Reply #4 on:** August 06, 2005, 14:22 »

Its two sticks sandra. Can i run that diagnostic on two sticks as well

the pc is very cramped inside and i'd prefer not to have to take it out unless absolutely necessary :roll:

Sandra · « **Reply #5 on:** August 06, 2005, 14:43 »

I think you can but it recommends one at a time if I remember correctly.
It wont hurt to try it and see what it says

daveeb · « **Reply #6 on:** August 06, 2005, 16:25 »

didnt need to in the end sandra. Turned out to be a corrupt OS. Did a factory reset and the problem appears to have gone away. I was forced into a corner anyhow as the pc wouldnt boot at all today. Thanks for your ideas anyhow sandra & simon

Sandra · « **Reply #7 on:** August 06, 2005, 16:30 »

I will still find out about the safe mode thing for you tonight in case you need it sometime

daveeb · « **Reply #8 on:** August 06, 2005, 16:35 »

That would be much appreciated Sandra

daveeb · « **Reply #9 on:** August 08, 2005, 13:35 »

Turned out i spoke too soon

Still getting the freezing even worse than before as now a reboot doesnt seem to cure it (although at least it is rebooting at the moment). It occurred to me that the freezing that occurs in win explorer and nero happens when i am working with my dvd video files which reside on the second (data) drive so i guess its a possibility that this could be the culprit. not sure if this alone would cause the reboot problems tho'.

Sandra · « **Reply #10 on:** August 08, 2005, 13:52 »

Did you run the memcheck thing Dave ?

DVDs and burning are hard on ram so it may be that theres a module down which only shows when its working at its max loading.
SI soft Sandra has a "burn in" test for various parts of your pc to so that may show up a memory fault too.

daveeb · « **Reply #11 on:** August 08, 2005, 14:01 »

Hi Sandra, the pc sometimes freezes just viewing the files in win explorer. I'll try sss to see what it says....got to admit i didnt fully understand the tutorial for the memcheck :dunce: I rang the medion helpline and will be hearing "some time soon" regarding an engineers visit. Lets hope the engineer is better than their e-mail helpline which is a joke. :roll:

Simon · « **Reply #12 on:** August 08, 2005, 14:12 »

I wonder if it might be worth just opening the case, and checking that the memory modules are seated properly?

daveeb · « **Reply #13 on:** August 08, 2005, 19:27 »

Quote from: "Simon"

I wonder if it might be worth just opening the case, and checking that the memory modules are seated properly?

Good point Simon. I actually did that a month after i got the machine as it was booting no further than the "pentium inside" logo. That did the trick on that occasion, apparently you can get heat creep which slowly loosens the memory. Its the most densely packed pc i've ever seen, one for E.T. to get his hands into.

Simon · « **Reply #14 on:** August 08, 2005, 19:42 »

As I've just suggested in another thread, it might also be worth reseating the graphics card, if you have a stand alone one, as they can also cause freezing if slightly unsecure.