My screen is freezing after a few minuttes of use.

Hi there,

I will be happy to provide you with more specific information through
the clarification option,but I first need the following information:

1. CPU type and speed
2. Video card type and memory
3. How old is your system?
4. Are you running any specific applications when this occurs?
5. How much RAM do you have in your computer?
6. What operating system are you using?
7. Is this a desktop or laptop computer?

Typically a "freezing" such as the one you described is the result of
one of the components in your system being unable to process the
amount of information passing through it. When you answer the
questions above I will be able to narrow down the problem to a
specific culprit and will provide you with more information as to how
to fix the problem.

Cheers,

answerguru

---

Clarification of Answer by answerguru-ga on 06 May 2002 13:27 PDT

Hi there,

It seems our system did not receive the answers to your follow-up
questions and I personally have no link to that. I would still be
happy to help with your problem...but you need to post a clarification
in order to do so! Also, you are rating myself only (answerguru) and
any additional comments posted by others are only there for additional
information.

answerguru-ga

Very poor answer. It solved nothing.
I answered follow up questions. Received no reply.
 One advisier said, open the machine. Another warned, don't enter the machine.

One other thing to check: If the cooling fan on your CPU itself has
stopped working, your processor will overheat after a few minutes'
operation and the computer will lock up.  To check, remove the cover
from the computer.  If you are unfamiliar with your machine's insides
-DON'T TOUCH ANYTHING!- but look for a fan sitting on top of a
heatsink (metal ridges like on your car stero amp).  If your computer
is turned on and the fan is not moving, that's your problem.  This
doesn't crop up often, but it's worth checking before you spend hours
troubleshooting your applications and OS.

I think the most important question of the all...

What have you added lately?  If you have added something recently,
remove it and then try again.

I wouldn't recommend opening a machine unless you know more about the
warranty and issues around opening the machine.

While you are checking the CPU fan take alook ath the powersupply as
well? Does this happen at a DOS prompt as well or only in windows. If
that turns out to be the case than you may want to get your virus
definitions up to date and a full system scan.
Hope this helps.

Dear win-ga, Computers are elctronic devices. Since electricity is
used in them, they should be handled very carefully, particularly if
you have no idea internal working of it's various parts and current
assciated with these parts. Since you have not explained your problem,
like what is worng with your system, except you only mentioned that
your monitor freezes. I would like say that till you don't explain the
problem, don't touch your monitor because it has avery high voltage (
many thousands ).So leave the idea of opening your monitor,ok. If you
want to solve it, please contact your hardware engineer,don't try your
self. If you want to know more about your system's working, you are
most welcome.

I have often found problems with freezing to be hardware related.

Already suggested previously, my first troubleshooting step would be
to turn off the computer, leave it off for 30 minutes (disconnect the
power plug). Turn it on and time how long it takes to freeze again.
Reboot your machine (don't turn it off) and time how long it takes
that time. Repeat reboot and time until crash 2-3 times. If it the
time from reboot to crash becomes shorter with each subsequent reboot,
it is more than likely that the machine is overheating (the longer
it's turned on the more it heats up until the hardware begins to fail.

If your computer is still under warranty, I recommend taking it to the
manufacturer or to the store you purchased it at.

My second suggestion would be that one of the RAM (random access
memory) chips (SIMMS or DIMMS) in your computer is not functioning
properly. Common causes of RAM problems are static electricity and
dusty contacts (the metal pieces that slide into the RAM slots and
"make contact" with the motherboard).

Before you follow the next step, make sure you are completely
comfortable working with the internals of your machine. There is a
great tutorial available here:
http://www.pcnineoneone.com/howto/memory1.html

Open your computer (check your warranty! you don't want to void it!),
carefully remove the RAM (according to the instructions provided by
the manufacturer) and try these steps:

- Remove all except for the minimum number of SIMMS or DIMMS required
by your computer (This may be 1 or 2 or 4, depending whether your
computer requires "pairs" of RAM chips). Boot and test.
- Remove the "known good" RAM and set it aside. Add the minimum number
of untested RAM, and test. Repeat as needed.
- Change the order of the SIMMS or DIMMS. Boot and test.

Which brings me to my final suggestion, which is a good idea anyway --
get some compressed air from a computer or office store (about $1.50 a
can) and/or a specialty computer vacuum cleaner and just get rid of
any dust inside your computer.

Good luck!