ARGH!!! copm keeps crashing

[vmong]

Hi guys,
have a little problem, basically my other computer (the one some may have seen already when the monitor doesn't turn on) now it keeps having a "mini crash" every 2 minutes when im on the computer the comp freezes for like 10 8 seconds then its ok but then freezes, its almost cyclical? im not sure if its a virus or hardware problem because it wont let me access the wifi thingy either?
im contemplating a reformat!

[spiral out]

As you say it could be a number of things, i guess try formatting and a reinstall, and see if you still have a problem then you can take the hardware diagnosis from there.

[Thorsson]

Could well be malware. You should try one of the online checkers.

Freezes are atypical of hardware faults, but it could be something overheating and then cooling down. You could check the CPU & GPU temps and see what they look like. How hard is the fan on your PSU working?

[vmong]

nah i dont think its the temperature as such i mean it works when i remove the wireless card though :S but it did work previouslty?

[Thorsson]

Works when you remove the wireless card? Sounds like it may be a conflict or you are losing signal. What make is the wireless card? Has anything changed recently with your setup? Have you checked the aerial on the wireless card?

[vmong]

its belkin, no thing is it was working fine for a few days then it just messes up...

[Lucio]

Two possible reasons I can think of

1) Windows update is corrupted. Had this on a PC at work where it just froze & svchost maxed out the CPU

2) HP printers: These like to send out "where are you" messages... a LOT.

[vmong]

hmm could possible be thethe first one, could updating the system do that?

[stevie lee]

hmm could possible be thethe first one, could updating the system do that?

I think Lucio means having Automatic Updates set to Automatic, where it downloads and installs without telling you.. sometimes the install gets corrupted due to a high load on CPU, dodgy internet connection or download, then when you restart your PC some of the windows system files have gone corrupted..

I have mine set to 'download, let me choose when to install'.. then when the popup box appears i can choose what updates to apply..


if it's your wireless card causing the problems though. try reinstalling everything related to it. and you could check to see whether your neighbours have recently got wireless, their wireless could be interfereing with yours, and they could be having the same problem..

[vmong]

ok i think that it maybe due to the router as a different wireless usb thing *seems* to be working, and i think this maybe the only option because

[vmong]

hey guys (though it was pointless making another thread, but wanted to know how can one tell if they have USB 1 or USB 2??

[Thorsson]

You'll have USB2, any board in last few years will be.