Windows XP Keeps Freezing....

Hi, I have been having a problem recently with windows XP. It seems to be freezing alot, and then asking if I want to send an error report after I have closed it down using windows task manager. It seems to happen the most if I have more than one IE window open or if I am trying to listen to music or download something while I am using another IE window. I read somewhere that maybe updating my drivers would help, but my computer knowledge is so limited I wouldn't even know how to do that, or if it would help. Any advice/help would be appreciated.

 

This could be happening for a number of different reasons.
Do you know the specs of your computer (Processor speed, RAM, hard drive size - and how much of it is full etc.)?
Have you recently (or ever) run a disk defrag?
When you get the error message, does it give any particulars (like an error number)?

 

I don't know the specs of my computer or even how to find them out. I defraged the computer a few months ago, and was going to do so again, but the windows analyzer said it didn't need done. There is no specific error code, I ususally just close it with task manager, says that windows generated an error report and asks if I want to send it to microsoft.

 

DL and install EVEREST and you will be able to obtain a lot of useful info on your PC:

http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=4181

Start with that.....look at the different parameters asked by Mike and we can go from thr.

 

I ran everest and this is the report. I think it has all the info that was asked.

Motherboard:
CPU Type Intel Pentium 4, 2400 MHz (18 x 133)
Motherboard Name Dell Dimension 8200
Motherboard Chipset Intel Tehama i850(E)
System Memory 256 MB (PC800 RDRAM)
BIOS Type Phoenix (09/13/02)
Communication Port Communications Port (COM1)
Communication Port ECP Printer Port (LPT1)

Display:
Video Adapter NVIDIA GeForce4 MX 420 (64 MB)
3D Accelerator nVIDIA GeForce4 MX 420
Monitor Dell E772c [17" CRT] (6418028T03KU)

Multimedia:
Audio Adapter Intel 82801BA ICH2 - AC'97 Audio Controller [B-4]

Storage:
IDE Controller Intel(r) 82801BA Bus Master IDE Controller
Floppy Drive Floppy disk drive
Disk Drive MAXTOR 6L040J2 (40 GB, 7200 RPM, Ultra-ATA/133)
Optical Drive SAMSUNG CDRW/DVD SM-332B (DVD:12x, CD:32x/10x/40x DVD-ROM/CD-RW)
SMART Hard Disks Status OK

Partitions:
C: (NTFS) 38138 MB (23427 MB free)

Input:
Keyboard Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural PS/2 Keyboard
Mouse PS/2 Compatible Mouse

Network:
Network Adapter GVC-REALTEK Ethernet 10/100 PCI Adapter

Peripherals:
Printer ActiveTouch Document Loader
Printer HP Deskjet 3840 Series
USB1 Controller Intel 82801BA ICH2 - USB Controller 1 [B-4]
USB1 Controller Intel 82801BA ICH2 - USB Controller 2 [B-4]
USB Device USB Printing Support

 

Good job your HDD has plenty of free space.....but I would certainly give it a defrag. In EVEREST you can also get Temps etc form the Computer>>>>>Sensor option what are they currently at?

It seems you only have 256Mb of RAM that is a very small amount for multi-tasking as you have indicated and I would be confident that this is the root of your problem. Nowadays about 2Gb is the accepted amount for running XP and then "multi-tasking" (running several different applications simultaneously) but you can readily get buy with 1Gb.

Research indicates you have room for 4 x Memory connectors:

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim8200/

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim8200/specs.htm#1101572

I would seriously look into getting some more RAM if it is not to expensive or seriously don't expect to be able to "multi-task" without the system significantly slowing and or freezing.

Importantly you must have the same size and speed of RAM when upgrading with more modules otherwise you can and will have hardware issues.

 

Okay a little further research and I can see the RDRAM is expensive compared to modern RAM (i.e. DDR2) and would seriously think long and hard about holding off until you want a new system with more modern (and cheaper components).

Some prices:

http://www.4allmemory.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=search.memorySearch&model_id=24927

http://www.memorystock.com/memory/DellDimension8200533MHzFSB.html

The second link has good advice about Memory modules installed in pairs etc. You maybe lucky enough to pick up some 2nd hand Modules for a reasonable price but be careful with that.

Sadly I think you will have to treat the PC gently and slowly......multi-tasking on it is like putting a trailer on the back of a 4cyl vehicle and then filling it with soil......it isnt really designed for big loads.

 

I have taken a look at Ebay and there are some deals available that are alot cheaper than buying new from Dell, but I will not be buying any of that in the forseeable future. Thanks for all of the time you spent helping me out, I guess I'll just have to take it easy until I get a new machine. Thanks.

 

I agree with Bold Eagle.
This computer definitely could use more RAM.

 

Any time Mike, you maybe lucky and goto a 2nd Hand Computer fair in your local area and get hold of some (256Mb of PC 800 RDRAM) at a reasonable price which can keep you going for a bit longer. But one of the sad things is as the technology evolves then the majority of industry stops making the older parts and you have to rely on "stockpiles" and as supply gets less prices increase. But the newer parts have become a lot cheaper and more powerful. With the PC marketplace this can be even more frustrating because the parts evolve so quickly. I hope I helped but wasn't to blunt.

 

Another source for RAM is eBay
http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?from=R40&_trksid=m37&satitle=PC800+RDRAM&category0=