Computer freezing.

[Motherland]

My computer (XP) has been freezing while browsing with FireFox and IE and while playing Empire: Total War... sometimes. I played Empire for several hours straight last  night without any hiccups, however today I couldn't go more than a half an hour without it freezing up. I haven't played AH since I started freezing, except for Wednesday and I played for over an hour without issues. The freezes only happen when A) I click on a link in FF or IE (it's random though, I'll be browsing fine fore 10-20 minutes and then it stops) or B) at the beginning of a turn in Empire.
It's not a complete freeze, I can still use my mouse and I have temporary use of whatever window I'm in (usually like 30 seconds or so). Then the window stops working, but I can bring up minimized windows from the taskbar, but I can't use the windows... I can't bring up the start menu or the task manager. Sometimes (about half of the time) I get a... I would say medium toned pitch beep that lasts until I turn off my computer. My performance has been normal in task manager. I defragged without really helping anything (didn't think it would, but I needed to defrag anyway). I also ran virus scans (which usually gum up my computer, but they were still able to run without issue, so I don't think that the problem is resource related).

Does anyone recognize these problems? Or have ideas to help me diagnose them?

[Fulmar]

Could be hardware related, or something that is getting by your virus/malware scans (which ones are you using?).  Also, post your computer specs.

[Motherland]

I've got MalwareBytes AntiMalware and AVG 8. I ran both scans individually and at the same time (just to see if I would freeze up, honestly...)



DXDIAG: (I've had this setup for about a year now)
------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 4/4/2009, 20:48:15
       Machine name: YOUR-CF92BC9618
   Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_gdr.050301-1519)
           Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: GATEWA
       System Model: GT5014                         
               BIOS: Default System BIOS
          Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) D CPU 2.80GHz (2 CPUs)
             Memory: 2046MB RAM
          Page File: 338MB used, 3599MB available
        Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
    DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
     DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.2180 32bit Unicode

------------
DxDiag Notes
------------
  DirectX Files Tab: No problems found.
      Display Tab 1: No problems found.
        Sound Tab 1: No problems found.
        Sound Tab 2: The file GPWADrv.sys is not digitally signed, which means that it has not been tested by Microsoft's Windows Hardware Quality Labs (WHQL).  You may be able to get a WHQL logo'd driver from the hardware manufacturer.
          Music Tab: No problems found.
          Input Tab: No problems found.
        Network Tab: No problems found.

--------------------
DirectX Debug Levels
--------------------
Direct3D:    0/4 (n/a)
DirectDraw:  0/4 (retail)
DirectInput: 0/5 (n/a)
DirectMusic: 0/5 (n/a)
DirectPlay:  0/9 (retail)
DirectSound: 0/5 (retail)
DirectShow:  0/6 (retail)

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
        Card name: NVIDIA GeForce 8600 GTS
     Manufacturer: NVIDIA
        Chip type: GeForce 8600 GTS
         DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
       Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0400&SUBSYS_08911462&REV_A1
   Display Memory: 512.0 MB
     Current Mode: 1680 x 1050 (32 bit) (60Hz)
          Monitor: Plug and Play Monitor
  Monitor Max Res: 1600,1200
      Driver Name: nv4_disp.dll
   Driver Version: 6.14.0011.7516 (English)
      DDI Version: 9 (or higher)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
 Driver Date/Size: 5/2/2008 21:46:00, 6108160 bytes
      WHQL Logo'd: Yes
  WHQL Date Stamp: n/a
              VDD: n/a
         Mini VDD: nv4_mini.sys
    Mini VDD Date: 5/2/2008 21:46:00, 6554496 bytes
Device Identifier: {D7B71E3E-4740-11CF-8E6A-9A2800C2CB35}
        Vendor ID: 0x10DE
        Device ID: 0x0400
        SubSys ID: 0x08911462
      Revision ID: 0x00A1
      Revision ID: 0x00A1
      Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_C ModeMPEG2_D ModeWMV9_B ModeWMV9_A
 Deinterlace Caps: {6CB69578-7617-4637-91E5-1C02DB810285}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
                   {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalSt retch
                   {6CB69578-7617-4637-91E5-1C02DB810285}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
                   {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalSt retch
                   {6CB69578-7617-4637-91E5-1C02DB810285}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
                   {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalSt retch
                   {6CB69578-7617-4637-91E5-1C02DB810285}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
                   {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalSt retch
         Registry: OK
     DDraw Status: Enabled
       D3D Status: Enabled
       AGP Status: Enabled
DDraw Test Result: Not run
 D3D7 Test Result: Not run
 D3D8 Test Result: Not run
 D3D9 Test Result: Not run

-------------
Sound Devices
-------------
            Description: SigmaTel Audio
 Default Sound Playback: Yes
 Default Voice Playback: Yes
            Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_8384&DEV_7680&SUBSYS_107B5049&REV_1032
        Manufacturer ID: 1
             Product ID: 100
                   Type: WDM
            Driver Name: sthda.sys
         Driver Version: 5.10.4618.0000 (English)
      Driver Attributes: Final Retail
            WHQL Logo'd: Yes
          Date and Size: 7/18/2005 20:40:40, 1019064 bytes
            Other Files:
        Driver Provider: SigmaTel
         HW Accel Level: Full
              Cap Flags: 0xB5B
    Min/Max Sample Rate: 44100, 192000
Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 1, 0
 Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 0, 0
              HW Memory: 0
       Voice Management: No
 EAX(tm) 2.0 Listen/Src: No, No
   I3DL2(tm) Listen/Src: No, No
Sensaura(tm) ZoomFX(tm): No
               Registry: OK
      Sound Test Result: Not run

            Description: GuitarPort
 Default Sound Playback: No
 Default Voice Playback: No
            Hardware ID: USB\Vid_0e41&Pid_4750&Rev_0001
        Manufacturer ID: 1
             Product ID: 100
                   Type: WDM
            Driver Name: GPWADrv.sys
         Driver Version: 3.00.0000.0004 (English)
      Driver Attributes: Final Retail
            WHQL Logo'd: No
          Date and Size: 7/26/2006 20:06:19, 417920 bytes
            Other Files:
        Driver Provider: Line 6
         HW Accel Level: Full
              Cap Flags: 0xF5F
    Min/Max Sample Rate: 100, 200000
Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 0, 0
 Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 0, 0
              HW Memory: 0
       Voice Management: No
 EAX(tm) 2.0 Listen/Src: No, No
   I3DL2(tm) Listen/Src: No, No
Sensaura(tm) ZoomFX(tm): No
               Registry: OK
      Sound Test Result: Not run

[Motherland]

Suspecting it may be a temp problem I looked for a program that will tell me temperatures... the one I downloaded was called SpeedFan.

Hasn't been running for that long, and the side of the case is off.

According to it...
GPU 64C
CPU 60C
Int. Temp. 30C
Remote Temp. 52C
Temp. 65C
HD0 55C
Core 65C
Ambient 0C (It's a bit warmer than that in here so I'm not sure how it's calculating that temperature).

I don't know if these are good or bad, they seem a bit warm...



EDIT: put the side of the case back on and all the temps dropped to around 55C.

[Fulmar]

I believe it may be heat related.  I imagine those temps are at idle or near idle processing.  What you should do is Google a program called Prime95 (or Orthos) and run Speedfan as well.  Run the Blend Stress Test on Prime95 as it will do 100% load on your CPU and monitor your CPU temps.  60C for an idle temp is very hot, that's 140F.  I imagine your load temps are much higher, above 70C.

Also, your case seems to be pretty hot too.  Your hard drive is at 55C, which is quite warm.  HD's for the most part, should only be a few degrees above the ambient temp.

Get an air can and blow out all the dust.  Check the air intake and exhaust fans so that they are working and they are not clogged.  Your system is a few years old and if you've never cleaned it out, it's overdue.  Blow out the heatsink on the CPU and make sure its fan is getting a good amount of airflow.  Worse case scenario, pick up a tube of Arctic Silver 5 thermal paste and reapply it to the processor (if you've never done this before, it's fairly easy as there are plenty of how too guides on Arctic Silver's site and Youtube).

Then, after a cleaning monitor the temps again.

[Motherland]

Blew it out, temps were about the same. Still crashing. I think it's a virus or something, found this thread through google:
http://www.overclock.net/intel-cpus/486062-windows-xp-freezes-1-continuous-beep-4.html

[Fulmar]

IMO, AVG doesn't hold a candle to 'paid' virus protection programs, especially NOD32.  It will offer basic protection, but once you get into something serious, you might as well format if you've got AVG.

[BaldEagl]

This might seem too obvious but have you made sure that your mouse and keyboard are plugged in tightly?  A guy I work with sometimes has similar problems (the freezes, not the temps) and it's always the same thing... loose mouse or keyboard connection.

[Casper1]

Dont fret and format if you are infected.  Go here first:

www.malwareremoval.com

Go to their forums, Read the rules, and post your issue(s).  They have people who will help you clean your pc for no charge, and they are VERY good at it.  I had a nasty virus a few weeks ago and they got me back up and running fine in a week.  Leave a donation for them if you wish, I feel it is the right thing to do since they do this on their free time.

Formatting should be your LAST DITCH option.

[MrRiplEy[H]]

64c idle speed is way too high and will mean instability under load. You should see around 30-40c idle temperatures with stock coolers (except GPU which may run hot on silent fan profile).

Try adjusting GPU fan speed manually to 30% or higher and see if that fixes your crashing. I had a similar problem with my 4870 it was just running too hot on stock speed while automatic fan profile was on.

[TheZohan]

i concer i think its a heat problem. classic sign of overheating somewhere

[Motherland]

The thing is that I can run Ubuntu perfectly fine (I have a partitioned hard drive) so I'm kind of doubting it's a hardware problem.

But maybe ubuntu just runs better.... is there a program I can use for checking temps in  Ubuntu?

I want to buy a new computer later this year so I don't want to spend money that I don't need to o this one.

[Fulmar]

What are you using ubuntu for?  I'm fairly green on linux, but you just may not be doing some CPU intensive stuff where your temps rise and cause problems.

[Motherland]

Pretty much just internet and email... my games are on XP. However internet is one of the things that is causing freezes in XP.

Also, last time I froze I took notes of temps & CPU use

GPU 50C
CPU 61C
Int. Temp. 30C
Remote Temp. 54C
Temp. 50C
HD0 57C
Core 50C
Ambient 0C

Also 44% CPU use and 632 meg of RAM (out of 2 gigs)

Was running FF and Antivirus IIRC

[TheZohan]

the 61C on the cpu i would be a little concerned about ..  i run about 39C on my cpu. you using a stock cooler? maybe a small investiment in a aftermarket one will knock about 15c-20c off your temps. provided the heat hasnt cause and lasting affects.