Hello Chums...

I am recently experiencing "lock-ups" on my Computer, where everything freezes, including the screen, and the Mouse and Keyboard, etc, no longer respond, (sometimes with the usual continuous Audio Loop).
This is particularly annoying when I am in the middle of a Multiplayer flight.
It results in me having to "warm-reset" the Computer again, to resume the various programs.
Recently, as a trial, I noticed that if I ignore the lock-up, leave everything alone, and go for a sit-down and snooze for 10 minutes or so, the program will automatically resume from where it left off!
Due to the fact that I have my computer  running, and using it for 18 hours every day, I am starting to wonder if it can be a "Memory" problem, where the memory gets "full-up" with data due to constant use, gets confused, and has to re-organise itself by re-arranging the data, resulting in a lag in executing the running program!

My OS is Windows XP Pro SP2, with 2 GB of Memory sticks (2 X 1GB in Dual Mode), and 256 MB on my n-Vidia 7800 GS AGP Graphics Card.
(I've just added another 256 MB  Memory stick making 2.3 GB in total).

HDD = 127GB, (256GB Partitioned) with 70 GB free.

I have a funny feeling that Win XP has problems with relieving itself of excessive, unused memory Data during program execution, and it accumulates over time, resulting in confusion!
It may be advisable to switch the computer off completely at intervals, and before running a new program, letting the Computer clear itself, ....and then executing a "Cold Start"?

There are no Virus's, Trojans, Malware, or programs running in the background at the time.

...any suggestions?

Paul.

Mine would do that from time to time as well. I'd always chocked it up to too much heat. (Ambient temps in my computer room often reach 95 F+ in the summer months) Heatsinks and coolers dusty?

Fozzer wrote on Sep 5^th, 2010 at 10:40am:


wow,looks pretty much like Everest ,but free 
now I can walk with this around in a pen drive for work
thanks Paul

It could caused by registry errors also. Or too many unneeded items in the registry.

Steve M wrote on Sep 5^th, 2010 at 12:08pm:


I've got a few Registry programs which I use regularly, including pay-ware "Registry Mechanic", which never fails to detect and correct various problems during every run!

I'm a bit reluctant to format my HDD, losing everything, and reinstall my Windows XP, when the problem may lie elsewhere...(Hardware)!

Paul...Frozen.... Ice Cold in Alice.. ....!

P.S...On shut-down, I just get the usual "Windows is saving your Settings"...no other warnings...

DOS Boot-up, normal...Memory check is OK..
Start up, and shut down Windows, is normal, Alex!
I never get the BSOD... ...!
I'm still a little suspicious about my "Memory Sticks" tho'..I'll try swapping them around/removing them, just in case!...!

Groundbound1 wrote on Sep 5^th, 2010 at 12:47pm:


I think that's well worth a try, Ground and Alex..

I still suspect that it may be a Memory problem...(getting faulty/confused).
It takes a time to run its complete check, apparently, so I will run it when I have nothing else to do at the time tonight......!

Paul.... ...!

patchz wrote on Sep 5^th, 2010 at 3:42pm:


Yep....

It gave me 3 free Trojans in the download... ...

I removed them with AVG and un-installed "C Cleaner", pronto!... ... ...!

I use "Easy Cleaner" now for all the various options.... ...!

..and "Registry Mechanic" (Pay-ware) for my Registry.. ...!

Going to run the Memory Checker during tonight ....whilst I cuddle my Teddy Bear... ...!

Paul.... ...!

"Cold starting" my computer regularly, before starting each new program eases the problem at the mo'!
.... ...!

Quote:

Where did you download it from? I've used CCleaner for a long time. I never had a problem with trojans. http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner/download

Fozzer wrote on Sep 7^th, 2010 at 3:34am:

The trojans were most likely from a different source & nothing to do with CCleaner. These things have a nasty habit of attaching themselves to EXE files. At least you found them before they did any harm. I always try to download utilities from the developers' own website.

Quote:

I had a similar problem when I first got this PC. Took it back to the shop several times & they replaced almost everything with no luck. It was indeed most frustrating. These intermittent problems are always the most difficult to trace. In the end I fixed it myself. I forget what did the trick now but it might well have been CCleaner.

I recently discovered that AVG was using a lot of resources & slowing everything down. Sometimes the PC would lock up for no apparent reason. After reading several recommendations on this forum I decided to uninstall it & try Avira. This seems to have fixed the problem so far. Get the AntiVir Free Version. http://www.free-av.com/en/trialpay_download/1/avira_antivir_personal__free_antiv...

Fozzer wrote on Sep 7^th, 2010 at 4:22am:

If you're running both at the same time I suspect that might be causing a conflict. Please try one or the other. Avira seems to be using far less resources than AVG on my system.

You could be right there, Doug... ...!

Although I have automatic downloads, etc turned off, It could be that the Virus scanners jump into action every now and again for a quick check, and freeze my Computer (no Mouse or Keyboard).
Sometimes, if I leave everything alone for 10 minutes or so, the program sometimes carries on from where it left off, as though something in the background had interrupted it for a while!
Peculiar and peculiar-ar.... ...!

Paul.

Hagar wrote on Sep 7^th, 2010 at 5:10am:


Uninstalled AVG.
Left Avira in place....and "Spybot" and "Malwarebytes"...for checking for dodgy "stuff"....

..see what 'appuns over the next few hours... ...!

News, later... ...!

Paul.

Fozzer wrote on Sep 7^th, 2010 at 8:04am:

OOoooo, never have more than one antivirus program with realtime protection/scanning running at a time. Bad things can happen.

Pablo, for experience I have learn that the only way to test a RAM memory its by pluging another one OR if you have two devices Unplug one and if it fails put it back and unplug the other ,I don't know what memory you have ,but this is a common issue in ddr400 and ddr333

Also No matter what PSU you have its all about electronic components and they all fails sometimes  ,I have seen telmakes ,Nvidias ,corsairs whatever they fail ,just test by having another PSU a BORROWED ONE ,I do this before spending money on it

Quote:


I can assure you and bet That's not a motherboard problems Paul...we were talking about freezing while a game was running ..correct? if you have a deficiency in that PSU the first to notice will be the CPU (Frozen)  and the Video card ,also other hardware devices could be affected like the LAN area (sorry I did not understand if you have Dial Up or broadband )
also tell me do you have ddr3 ddr2 or ddr (400/333)???

I wish you would have 3d mark software its to test the strength of the cpu and GPU a

well let's proceed, Does it still freezing while you are running FSX? for exampe ,I mean right Now? 
let's forget about the Internet connection for a while ( hoping at least allow you to post of course) and focus on the frozzen issue