random freezes, confusing me

[joshd]

every now and then, when just idling on the desktop or somthing it just freezes. the mouse wont move, keyboard doesnt do anything, and there is nothing you can do bar a hard reboot. it only seems to do it when it is idle, and i come to it to find it frozen. never when gaming or anything that is actually intensive.

to my memory, it has never actually happened when i am using in, only when i am away from it, and then come back to find it frozen.

it isnt set to hibernate, spin down HDDs or even screensaver.

what is going on? i will give more detailed specs:

P4 3.00GHz
1GB DDR2 PC-3200 value ram
X800GTO, ASUS
Audigy 2 ZS, and a cheap C-Media PCI soundcards
2x SATA HDDs
Dell/Intel mobo, i915G chipset

all off a dell 305W (allegedly 400W capable) PSU.

what do you lot think could be the problem. a format has not fixed this.

 

[RGELLIS]

Im afraid your computer seems to have a common illness its called "Dell-itis" its a nasty infection where your computer takes over your life and bank account and spends all the money inside of it on Dell components and makes you think that your Dell is the best computer ever. To cure yourself from the symptoms, you must take a sledgehammer to you Dell Dimension 5000 and destroy it, you must then keep away from all sources where "Dell-itis" may be contracted again and build your own computer.

No but seriously I think its either a RAM fault or just a good reinstall of windows will really help! it could also be a problem with heat but as you said it is when it is idling.

Ruan

 

[cyberarmy198]

Experienced exactly the same problem!!! It never happens when you play game right? Actually, it was one of the reasons for selling my old computer. The buyer made it fixed for 100 dollars. But I dont remember how he did it. I guess the sockets of the computer were burned or something

 

[jeremy]

its likely a psu or mobo issue,
whats the amper rating of the +3.3v/+5v/+12v? its on the sticker
download sandra click here get into hardware-->mainboard and scroll down til youll see "voltage sensors" if you dont see em then download hwinfo32 click here click the "sensors" button and take a screenshot , if you dont see the voltages in both then i suggest youll get a digital multimeter (will cost €6-12) , get it from machinemart/maplin/henrys just make sure it supports 20 DCV (direct current voltage) , have a look at these guides
http://www.ochardware.com/articles/psuvolt/psuvolt.html
http://www.driverheaven.net/guides/testingPSU/

check the mobo for bad capacitors and better use a flashlight as its kinda dark in there , see examples
http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?articleID=195
http://home.earthlink.net/~doniteli/index27.htm

 

[joshd]

after a bit of research, it seems that the dim5000 uses an ATX powersupply.

this is good news. i think i will get myself a nice 550w OCZ or something.

sorry, no voltage reads from a dell, you must be kidding, lol.

 

[jeremy]

if youll buy a non dell psu , it most likely wont fit and youll have to get a new case too , also psus in some dell's uses a proprietary main connector and if you happen to have such a dell connecting a non dell psu will fry the mobo and possibly other parts , have a look here to know for sure
http://www.quepublishing.com/articles/article.asp?p=339053&rl=1 see table 21.7 , ive heard they stopped using proprietary main connectors on 1999 but im not sure its true , i guess i was asking for too much but what about the amper rating? should be on the sticker ,
as alredy mentioned you can still get the voltages with a digital multimeter

 

[joshd]

i will check next time i open the computer. it is a bit of a mission, lol