computer hanging a lot

Hey everyone,
I am having a problem with my computer and momentary freezez/hangs.The specs on my system are as follows:

Motherboard- Intel D865 Perl
CPU- P4 2.2 Ghz
System Bus Speed- 400 Mhz
System Memory Speed- 266 Mhz
RAM- Kingston 512 Mb DDR 333. The memory mode is single channel and is operating in single channel dynamic paging mode. It is in one 512 Mb stick and occupies one slot with three empty ones. The slots are designated as channel A slot 0, channel A slot 1, channel B slot 0, and channel B slot1
Bios- RL86510A.86A.0056.P07
Hard Drive- Samsung 160Gb
Processor Zone temperature- 34'C/95'F
System Zone 1 temperature -28'C/82'F
System Zone 2 temperature -30'C/86'F
Processor Fan Speed 3655 RPM

You probably don't need all this, but if it helps....To elaborate on my problem, my system is hanging a lot and sporadically varies a lot in the time taken to boot up . One time it could be normal and the next time it could take up to 2 minutes. As well, it doesn't multitask as well anymore. A lot of times if I close one program, it hangs a lot and kind of superimposes over another open program and I have to go into task manager and end the application or process to close it. Also when the program finally ends, the program name hangs in the task bar for 5-10 seconds and then disappears.


I tested my memory with memetset86 but had problems. I tried running memtest86 from both the floppy and cd but both times it froze up at task 3 and wouldn't respond to any commands. I then ran Microsoft Windows Memory Diagnostic and everything came up error free.

I then ran MBM5 to check the Cpu and power supply. When I was configuring MBM there were two choices for my mobo (D865PERL), one gave me a reading for the cpu and case and the other gave me a reading for my cpu, case and chipset so this is the one I went with. The results are as follows:
CPU - 36'C
Case - 34'C
Chipset - 34'C
For the power supply I am not sure what is relevant but here are all results
Core 0 - 1.49V
CPU/IO - 1.42V
+3.3 - 3.29V
+5.00 - 5.23V
+12.00 - 12.29V
-5.00 and - 12.00 are both 0.00V
According to the graphs these look alright?

I am using Windows Xp Pro.

Possibly related, my hard drive sometime makes a strange noise when it is booting. It is a mechanical sound and to use an old analogy, sounds similar to the way old lp's used to play (the arm slides over and drops the lp). It sounds like a platter is dropping or something, if that makes sense. it is a quick click and then a drop. I have checked some places on the Internet which said it could be a minor problem and some hard drives are just noisy. I was considering getting a new hard drive anyway. These problems might be some extra incentive.

With regards to a worm or virus or spyware, I have Mcafee Internet security and run scans often. Appreciate any help on the matter.

 

http://www.majorgeeks.com/download3464.html try this program to check your harddrive

 

you might want to use adaware and spybot and look through the spyware section here at MG esp the stickies because just using one anti-spyware program really isn't good enough, and most anti-virus programs do not check for spyware

 

What brand is your hard drive?? I had a similar case of noise like that and it was the hard drive sending me cries for help!! I downloaded and ran the Maxtor diagnostic tool (since afterall it was a maxtor drive), and it gave me a diagnostic error, which in turn, I submitted to Maxtor RMA service and they honored a return since it was still under warranty!! Might be a little more than you wanted to know but, just thought I would give a little history of my situation!!

To make a long story short...according to the brand you have...we might can find you the diagnost ic tool you need specific to your hard drive, and, hell, who knows, you might can get it replaced!!

If that IS the problem, ofcourse!!

Roger

 

If you have important files you want to keep,might be a good idea to back them up now incase your harddrive does go,instead of making a full backup of the drive because your lockups could ruin it,just cut and paste the important files to a disk.

 

Enable S.M.A.R.T in your Bios and carry out a thorough CHKDSK and defrag.

 

Hey everyone,
thanks for the quick responses. My hard drive is a Samsung 160 Gb 7200rpm.
I ran the hard drive diagnostic suggested and from the report saw no errors and the status for the different areas being ok. I ran spybot and did find a couple of cookie entries and removed them.

I did some more looking inside and the power supply is a 350W Pentium 4 power supply. I don't see a specific company on it, but the case is a Vision Pentium 4 ATX case so I assume the power supply came with the case?

I also wanted to check my CPU to get some numbers to look for some info. After I removed the clips and went to remove the heatsink, I found a lot of resistance. I continued with even pressure not forcing it and the heatsink came out with the processor stuck to it. The processor came right out of the socket and stayed attached to the heatsink. I know about the theremal interface material Intel provides to go between the heatsink and processor, but this substance was quite "gummy" and it seems the processor was stuck to the heatsink. I don't know if this is normal, I can't see how it would be, but I was wondering if this could be some indicator to my processor overheating at one point and somehow "melting" the substance and sticking. I took a picture of it in case it could help. If you would like to see it and think it may help just let me know. Appreciate the help.

 

according to MBM your CPU is idling at 36c, and that is quite cool, you might look at the hi/low section to see how hot it gets on load

you mentioned memtest gave you errors .. you might try testing it in a different slot .. or switching it out with some other known working RAM

 

As far as the cpu sticking to the heat sink... yeah that does happen. Just be careful when you're getting the cpu off of the heatsink! Wiggle it, don't pry it off! My brother tried prying it off and sent his new 3.4 P4 about 20 feet across the room into a wall.

 

Ripping the heatsink out with the proccessor stuck to it is bad,I'v heard alot of people have done this and everything was fine,but I'v also seen alot of people lose pins of the bottom of the cpudoing it that way is a game of chance,you should check this right away,it also strains all the joints on the cpu pins and can damage the mobo clips.

The worst way to pull of the heatsink is with an even pressure,this keeps the hydraulic coupling between the cpu and heatsink in tact which is an incredibly strong bond.You want to break this coupling and let air into it,by twisting and rocking the cpu,you dont even have to pull,you can gently push,you want to find the weakest part of the bond once that breaks the whole thing will pop off.check your cpu and good luck!

 

Twisting and rocking the heatsink sry

 

Hey everyone,
I think this problem may have too many influencing factors to come to any one definitive solution now. I was thinking about doing an upgrade bit by bit anyways so I will eventually come to some sort of conclusion as I go.

I am going to start with the power supply. I am going to look on the web tonight but would appreciate any suggestions on things to look for such as specs and brands when it comes to buying one. Thanks