Pc randomly freezing/rebooting

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smbtnt

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Wonder if anyone can shed some light on a particular problem I am encountering.
My trading pc has started crashing/ freezing randomly in the past few days.
Last time it happened was when I launched excel 2007 file from my docs. I was running IB and sierra and few IE apps at the time so nothing strenous. Previous times it's happened when running live streams e.g snooker/golf/bloomberg etc.
The pc is 3 months old.
Spec:
windows xp sp2
core 2 quad cpu 2.66
2gb ddr3 memory
500gb sata2 Hard drive
3 x 22" TFT screens
2 x 256mb ddr3 graphics card
750W psu

Can anyone assist in taking appropriate steps to diagnose this issue.

Thanks
 
Last edited:
smbtnt said:
Wonder if anyone can shed some light on a particular problem I am encountering.
My trading pc has started crashing/ freezing randomly in the past few days.
Last time it happened was when I launched excel 2007 file from my docs. I was running IB and sierra and few IE apps at the time so nothing strenous. Previous times it's happened when running live streams e.g snooker/golf/bloomberg etc.
The pc is 3 months old.
Spec:
windows xp sp2
core 2 quad cpu 2.66
2gb ddr3 memory
500gb sata2 Hard drive
3 x 22" TFT screens
2 x 256mb ddr3 graphics card
750W psu

Can anyone assist in taking appropriate steps to diagnose this issue.

Thanks
Click to expand...

1. have you changed anything or updated installed any software
2. Virus checker installed / updated / run
3. Ditto firewall
4. have you moved it - disturbed any cables (externa/ or internal) ? - could be intermittent connection
5. is it still under guarantee - what does that cover?

If not above could be (1) intermittent hardware fault - can be difficult to track down - often done by component susbtitution if all else fails (not easy for normal home user). (2) Virus / software error.

If you have a disk image (restore disk) it's often quicker to reload. Presumably you have backup of all your data? You could try a system "Restore " first.

If you are not reasonably familair with PCs, it can be worthwhile to get someone (preferably a mate who doesn't charge) who knows what they're doing to work through it logically. If you want to become familiar there are lots of help forums via Google search. Try My Flowcharts can now be downloaded from here - The PC Guide Discussion Forums
 
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Mathemagician said:
Heat could be an issue with that rig as ambient temperatures rise this time of year.

jj
Click to expand...

VG point. I've also known cases where "spare" paperwork has blocked the fan inlets / outlets etc.

(smbtnt, have you had some good trades lately ? - could be the wads of dosh falling off your desk) :)
 
Yes, good chance it's a heat problem.

Unplug everything, take the side panel off and then hoover up all the dust collecting around the chip and the power outlet. basically try and get rid of all the dust you can. Also, check the fan around the chip and scrape off the dust that is most probably embedded there.
 
Probably best not to stick a vacuum cleaner in the case. They generate a LOT of static. Get a can of compressed air instead. If it's a heat problem, you might be able to diagnose it by running the case open with a regular room fan blowing into it. If it runs smoothly like this, then heat is the likely culprit.

jj
 
Not knocking you Maths but I've stuck 101 hoovers into PCs and never had a problem. I admit though that compressed air is better but not everyone has a can available.
 
You know, I've always wondered if it's just one of those things you hear but there's no truth to it. I've never known for sure but always figured better safe than sorry. Glad to have that one debunked!

jj
 
Mathemagician said:
You know, I've always wondered if it's just one of those things you hear but there's no truth to it. I've never known for sure but always figured better safe than sorry. Glad to have that one debunked!

jj
Click to expand...

I'm not so sure about that. In a previous life I was a tech support manager (tho not PCs - larger marchines). We had an instance of some dead equipment that we attributed (rightly or wrongly) to some over zealous cleaning in an an environment with synthetic carpets. It always pays to be cautious about static and really all components should be handled only with a earth wrist strap fitted.
 
Thanks for you replies guys.
0007 - to answer your questions
1. no
2. yes
3. yes
4. switched monitors only
5. 1 year warranty parts - assembled for me by a friend.

I am most concerned about the hardware fault and suspect this is most probably the suspect. However I have now placed a small desk fan near case to aid air circulation.

Will update you if it occurs again.

Thanks for your help everyone.
 
smbtnt said:
Thanks for you replies guys.
0007 - to answer your questions
1. no
2. yes
3. yes
4. switched monitors only
5. 1 year warranty parts - assembled for me by a friend.

I am most concerned about the hardware fault and suspect this is most probably the suspect. However I have now placed a small desk fan near case to aid air circulation.

Will update you if it occurs again.

Thanks for your help everyone.
Click to expand...

sbmt,

hope you get it sorted - has the desk fan cured it? it it's starightforward case of overheating you can install extra fans etc to improve the cooling. Nb it has been known for fans to be fitted incorrectly so that there is no thru-flow. If the system is designed correctly (and hasn't been overclocked ?) then it shouldn't overheat in normal uk room temperatures.

The symptoms you describe are typical of but not confined to, a dodgy main processor or dodgy memory. It could even be that you have incorrect memory fitted. I once had a processor that on bench test failed about once in every 20-30 start up cycles - this also gave symptoms like yours. New chip installed - problem gone.

If your system builder is competent then none of the "incorrect spec" theories should really apply, in which case faulty kit is a higher probability. I'd suggest that you go back to him if problem persists (you shouldn't need a desk fan) as he knows what's in the box.

Do let us know how you get on - these cases are always interesting.
 
Open the case up and blow air directly on it (don't mess around).

Get speedfan (sign up and get the latest beta which gives a lot more info) so that you can monitor temperatures and find out what they were without the fan and case closed and what they are with the fan.

For example my 8500 system runs at cpu 32 mother 44 hdisk 37 video 50 and the two cores are currently at 34 and 35 C. These are quite low temps partly because I have huge passive heatsinks and slow fans. Its early winter here but the days are still 24C.

So it would help to get the temps before and after to get an idea if temp is likely to be the problem.
 
nine said:
So it would help to get the temps before and after to get an idea if temp is likely to be the problem.
Click to expand...

If you have it, might be worth checking the software CD that came with the motherboard - many now have a small utility that can monitor temp of all the important components.
 
speedfan is free and very good 0007 Speedfan download I found it because the hard core overclockers tend to skip the built in stuff as too limited. sf is good because it can pick up the different components of your system.

You can also use it to do fan control (RealTemp is also good but only for the core cpu temps, mainly when you're overclocking.)

.
 

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nine said:
speedfan is free and very good 0007 Speedfan download I found it because the hard core overclockers tend to skip the built in stuff as too limited. sf is good because it can pick up the different components of your system.

You can also use it to do fan control (RealTemp is also good but only for the core cpu temps, mainly when you're overclocking.)

.
Click to expand...

Thanks. Must look.
 
Backup data, Defrag the drive and run a digs program across it. Hard drives are still the most common single point failure, I have 15 yrs industry experience, I know. This usually winds up in tears.
 
I have the same issue - pc crashes randomly, my temp readings are: HD0 39C, Temp 91C, I think is overheating, but not sure what I could do about it....
 
Run a ramtest ... assuming your software is ok then heat or failing ram is likely to kill you randomly.

Do backup your image and software as suggested in case its the HD in its early stage of crashing.


Or.

For heat. Open your case. Put a desk fan about 3 feet away and turn it on. With core2 cpus you want them under 60C (pref 40C) and you even want to keep your GPUs under 50C although they can stand 100C at a push.

If this works then buy 2 or 3 large quiet fans and get them installed in the door of your pc blowing air onto the cpu, mb, graphics areas.

I'm in the tropics and mines running at cpu 30c, hd 34c, mother 33c, gpu 37c. All can go up 10C under load but I hate to see anything go over 50c.
 
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