Solved Annoying Shutdown or Freeze up

[Morkintash]

Hello, Ive been having this problem for awhile now. My computer has been randomly freezing up or shutting down on its own after minutes of logging in.
Ive monitored my computers temperatures and they are all at a safe temp. I don't understand why this is happening. Every time my computer freezes Ive noticed the HDD light stops flashing and stops making its usual clicking sound signifying that its thinking.
I believe that the PSU is failing me as it is cooler master and offers a very low wattage of 270 watts but I can't be for sure.

So my symptoms are happening after I log in. I have hardly anything 'bogging' down the system in startup and Ive scanned numerous times to see if this could be a virus and nothing shows up. Most of the time its just my computer freezing up but some rare occasions it might just up and shutdown then restart itself.

Please could somebody help me figure out what could be the problem and offer a solution. (I would like to not pay for my solutions to be solved)

 

[Lorien]

Hi Morkintash,

Welcome to Vista Forums!

The hard drive making a clicking noise is not normal and typically represents a problem with the drive. Skip ahead to the hard drive testing procedures and try those first before you start the step which follows.

Do you know when this problem began? Try a System Restore to a point in time BEFORE the problem began. Here's the procedure: http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/76905-system-restore-how.html. Be sure to check the box to show more than 5 days of restore points. If the first attempt fails, then try an earlier point or two. NOTE: You will have to re-install any software and updates you installed between now and the restore point, but you can use Windows Update for the updates. Use the recovery disk if the system prompt doesn’t work. The recovery disk works a bit different from the above procedures but if you follow the prompts from the System Restore menu option with the above information you should be able to restore with no problems.

If the System Restore doesn't work, do a Startup Repair by booting to the genuine Windows Vista Installation Disk (or one you can borrow from ANYONE) or from a Recovery Disk with recovery options included on it. Here's the procedure: http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/91467-startup-repair.html. To boot to the CD you may need to change the BIOS to make the CD-drive first in the boot sequence. To do that, wait for the screen that tells you the F key to push to access the boot menu or boot setup. Push it quickly. Make the changes, save your work, and exit. Put the CD in the drive and reboot. When prompted, push any key to boot from the CD.

If you don't have either disk, you can make a bootable Recovery Disk using http://neosmart.net/blog/2008/windows-vista-recovery-disc-download/ along with burning software like: http://www.snapfiles.com/get/active-isoburner.html and, of course, a blank CD (perhaps made on a different computer or perhaps in safe mode with networking if that is working).

If that doesn't work, try to boot into safe mode (repeatedly click the F8 key while booting and go to safe mode with networking – or do so from the command prompt on the disk). Then let's check some of your system files:

Go to Start / All Programs / Accessories / Command prompt and right click on command prompt and click run as Administrator (you can skip this step if using the disk).

If using the disk, cd to C:\Windows\System32. Type sfc /scannow and enter and let it run. It will scan and try to fix some of your system files. Hopefully it will complete with no corruption it could not repair (if there is such corruption post back here or try to analyze it to find the problem file(s) using http://support.microsoft.com/kb/928228. Try to attach the report (you may need to copy it to your desktop before it will permit you to attach it) here so we can see if they can be repaired with good copies from the installation disk (unless there are too many).

While in Command Prompt, type chkdsk /f /r and enter and let it run. It will want to schedule itself to run at the next restart. Answer yes and then reboot to run the program. It will scan and try to fix any corruption or bad sectors on your hard drive and mostly remove that as a potential cause.

If that doesn't work, then please post any error messages from the Event Viewer concerning startup (Start / Control Panel / Administrative Tools / Event Viewer). Here's how to use Event Viewer: http://www.petri.co.il/vista-event-viewer.htm. Look in the System section.

You may be infected with malware. Try to run anti-malware programs (in safe mode with networking if necessary). To fix this problem (if it is a problem) download, install, and run the following two programs: http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php and http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html. You may also want to try the new, free Microsoft Security Essentials http://www.softpedia.com/progDownload/Microsoft-Security-Essentials-Download-131683.html (with the caveat that only ONE AV program can be installed and running on your system at any one time). Use removal tools when appropriate http://www.raymond.cc/blog/archives/2009/05/05/comprehensive-list-of-uninstallers-or-removal-tools-for-antivirus-software/. You may also want to try the free Avira at: http://www.free-av.com/ and Avast at: http://www.avast.com/index. Reboot after completing all the scans. You may also want to try the free OneCare at http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/center/whatsnew.htm and let it run all the options (except the registry cleaner) because that’s good maintenance (it will take some time to complete but can be done in the background). I realize that's a lot, so if you're thinking of bypassing this step, at least do the first two.

If that doesn't work, try a clean boot http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135. If the problem goes away then it's just a matter of tracking down the culprit causing the problem. Follow the procedures in the article. Once found, delete, remove, deactivate, or uninstall it. Once done be sure to reset Vista back to normal status as explained in the procedures. If the problem occurs in clean mode then just restore the system to normal status and reboot - this solution is not going to work.

Boot into Safe mode with networking and see if the problem occurs there. Either result helps us narrow down the search for the cause.

You may be having troubles with your device drivers, firmware, and/or software. Go to Device Manager by going to start / search box and type device manager and enter and then double-click on the program icon that appears. Check each device for a red x, yellow ! or white ?. These identify devices with problems (probably drivers, but also conflicts or something else). Click on each for further details and troubleshooting tips. If you need to get drivers, do so from the computer vendor or device manufacturer (NOT from Microsoft Updates). Proceed as follows to get the drivers: http://pcsupport.about.com/od/driverssupport/ht/driverdlmfgr.htm. Once you have the drivers, you can install them through Device Manager as follows: http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/193584-device-manager-install-driver.html. You may also want to try the Driver Verifier Manager to see if you can identify the driver or device responsible (assuming that is the cause): http://support.microsoft.com/kb/244617.

Let's test your hard drive and RAM for hardware problems:

To test your hard drive, check the manufacturer and then get the diagnostic utility from: http://www.techsupportforum.com/hardware-support/hard-drive-support/302602-hard-drive-diagnostic-utilities.html (and/or get one from your hard drive or computer manufacturer if they have one available – it wouldn’t hurt to try both). If it fails the test, replace it. If it passes the test, then there's probably nothing wrong with it.

You can also test your RAM at http://www.memtest.org/. Here's a better description and procedure: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/105647-ram-test-memtest86.html. If it fails, test each chip individually to find those that are bad and replace them. If it passes, RAM is probably OK.

If that doesn't work, we'll need to do a system repair/upgrade using the genuine Windows Vista Installation Disk (one you own or one you can borrow from ANYONE). To do this you have to also be able to boot normally. Here's the procedure: http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/88236-repair-install-vista.html. Although this will not affect your data, settings, or programs, you should still backup your data before starting just to be on the safe side. You may have a lot of updates to re-install (including any service packs you had to remove). If the version on the system came with SP1 or SP2 pre-installed and the disk is an earlier version, then you'll need to make a slipstream disk as follows: http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/151606-vista-sp1-slipstream-installation-dvd.html.

If that doesn't work, then please go to http://www.vistax64.com/crashes-debugging/282419-blue-screen-death-bsod-posting-instructions.html and although it is not a BSOD problem, the information provided by that procedure may assist us in locating the problem.

I hope this helps. If not, post back with results and answers and requested files and information and we'll see where we can go from there.

Good luck!

 

[Morkintash]

I have done all these but the Malwarebytes. So I downloaded Malwarebytes and it came across 8 infections from off a quick scan. At first everything seemed fine and I logged into my account after a restart. (The computer usually 75% of the time freezes after being off over night at long periods of time)
So I test my computer to see if it has been fixed. One way i test it is by useing hybernate. If the computer can hybernate through the night without freezing or crashing when waking back up then it has more then likely been fixed. However it crashed with a stop error that flashed to quickly when waking back up.
Then it seemed to get worse! When trying to boot up it would crash and restart before even makeing it to the microsoft logo screen; so I restored the computer back before the Malware scan and it boots up just fine and so far no crashes but that also means that turning off the computer for long periods of time will result in the usual crashing after log in that I was trying to just fix in the first place.
If this helps My start up programs are RocketDock, RCA EasyRip, Norton AV, Smart RAM, and windows Sidebar.

 

[richc46]

Welcome

Here are my solutions to freezing, and an excellent article, which I hope is of some help
Go to search type device manager and look for any yellow warning markers
Download and run malwarebytes, a full scan after you update
Run antivirus scan
Check memory with memtest86
Make sure that you are not over heating.
Try in safe mode; report back if it works properly.
Try a clean boot
Make sure PSU is working properly
If overclocking, restore to original
Test hard drive at company website.
Test in safe mode, does it still happen?
Try with clean boot..
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135

http://www.geekstogo.com/forum/topic...ing-memtest86/
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135
http://malwarebytes.org/
http://www.almico.com/speedfan.php

http://ezinearticles.com/?Troubleshooting-Computer-Freeze-(Lockup)-Problems&id=39981

 

[Morkintash]

The small noise it makes when a computer is thinking, All of them make it and that is perfectly normal along with the little flashing LED light on the side of the tower.

However you methods to fixing the problems are things Ive already done otherwise I wouldn't have been here for help but thank you for you help!

My computers hard rive was once corrupted from a bad install from a Adobe update. I contacted my Firewall service to see if they could fix it and via team viewer they helped me locate the corrupt file and fix my computer. It was working perfectly normal until one day it just wouldn't work properly. It all happened after installing and allowing google toolbar to index my computer. After restarting to completely install it my computer crashed and continued this ever since, and its been a year now. Any idea if perhaps it could have caused a problem while indexing my files? Or just my luck that my computer decided to not work.

 

[richc46]

Your problem is not unique those that get involved with downloads and services from companies other than those that are known and trusted often run into problems. I am not saying that Google is not a well know Company, but they give services for free and have to generate inocome some way.
Let try this: you made the malware scans. Lets try to turn off indexing and see where that leads
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/69564-index-enable-disable.html
Lorien already mentiond this, but lets take that hard drive test again, using this test
Test Hard Drive HD Diagnostic or this test Hard Drive Diagnostics Tools and Utilities (Storage) - TACKtech Corp.
If everything is negative try in safe mode and give us your results.

 

[Morkintash]

Sorry for slow reply, had to find time to do all these things I was told to do. If any of you guys are reading this half of your links to the web sites were links to another forum with out the download link to what ever program or scan you wanted me to download and all talk about this program but no link to it. Also some of the programs wouldn't even boot up on my computer after installing them to my CD's or flash drives. Most the web sites also look very "iffy" and not a very welcoming place to download a program thats going to scan my computers hardrive for any errors and fix them but looks to be more of a place im going to get a virus that will just make things worse for me. Anyhow I follwed through them best I could and like I said most of them were either not there or just plain didnt start up like it was suppose to.
Malwarebytes comes up with 8 things but 8 IMPORTANT things my computer needs. Memtest86 (not a very welcoming website if you ask me, but im the guy that needs help so whats to loose) wouldn't wright to my disc because "The file format is not a img file and cannot be written to the disc" BUT ive found another download location with a IMG fiel i belive i can burn over to my disc but there also another file called BOOT directly above the MEMTEST IMG FILE, am I to also burn this file over to or JUST the MEMTEST IMG file? And yes i chose the windows version and not the linux.
Data Lifeguard v11.2 I have yet to tryout but PC Doctor (does about the same thing) shows up clean.
Clean boot doesn't help anything except for a faster log in.
Company web site for my Hard drive came out clean So im very sure there is nothing wrong with the hard drive.
Im not sure how to make sure the PSU is working properly except trade it out for the new one that Ive ordered recently.

OK, so what does it sound like to you when the computer seems to only freeze dead where i was at ONLY after being off for a hole night being rebooted the next day and logged in to a account. This only occurs when its been left to its self for a few minutes after booting up or waking from out of hibernation. Could it be miss used power in the mobo?
I have no other choice then a hard shut down from the button, I don't even need to hold the button down, just one tap and its off then another tap to bring it back on. Go through the same process a few times then finally its back and working just fine.It could be a virus but a damn peculiar one at that as it only takes effect when the computer has been powered down for a pro longed period of time. Otherwise everything else seems fine. It will get the slows every now and then from heavy usage but that usually goes away after a hour or two and is just a normal thing to have happen to any Microsoft product.

 

[Morkintash]

"If that doesn't work, then please go to http://www.vistax64.com/crashes-debugging/282419-blue-screen-death-bsod-posting-instructions.html and although it is not a BSOD problem, the information provided by that procedure may assist us in locating the problem.

I hope this helps. If not, post back with results and answers and requested files and information and we'll see where we can go from there."

Heres the ZIP file with the info in it, And heres the Reliability and Performance monitor.

 

[richc46]

Im sorry it the tests and websites were not what you expected, but each suggestion has been used many times before without problem. We are not looking for colorful websites with flashing light to entice users, but rather sites that get the job done. Both the hard dirve tests and the memory tests have been used many times to help those with BSODs.I have found another memory test link that seems to work better than the first. The first link was working as of a few days ago.
That being said here is the link to the memory test, again with good instructions. It may be the cause of this problem. Try it again. It has been used many times without a problem. I wish you luck and a Happy New Year.
Guide to using Memtest86+

 

[Morkintash]

Thanks, ill be sure to follow these steps tonight. I'm sort of hoping its the RAM and that i find this annoying problem Ive been having. Ill let you know if it works or not in case someone else may need this forum topic for future references.

 

[richc46]

Have a good one tonight. Happy New Year.

 

[Morkintash]

Have a good one tonight. Happy New Year.

Sorry for such a late reply or update to my situation but ---

I have finally fixed my problem!! The problem was with my Power Supply. With this new one my computer starts up perfectly fine from a cold boot and wakes up perfectly fine after hibernation. And with the new graphics card there no longer artifacts showing up at the log in screen. The annoying integrated graphics card is blocking some air flow to the new graphics card but the GPU fan is helping in keeping the temperatures down at a safe temp, just has to run 100% of the time but its so extremely quiet.

Thanks you all for the helpful post to different web sites and such. Ive downloaded most of the programs in case of future problems

 

[richc46]

What a nice way to start the New Year, that is certainly great news.

 

[Morkintash]

Yes yes, the topic can be closed now. Everything is working fine now for me.

 

[richc46]

Thats great.