Solve : Computer freezes shortly after start-up, cannot identify cause

1.	Solve : Computer freezes shortly after start-up, cannot identify cause?
Answer» This problem started a couple of years ago, when playing a game (specifically Doom 3) the computer invariably froze (he length of time varied 5-30 mins approx). Since then this problem (if it is the same problem) has progressed and now the computer regularly (approx. every other startup) freezes shortly after starting. Often this happens before I click anything. * This problem is especially noticeable when starting Windows Live Messenger which works sometimes, but more often than not freezes the computer once logged in (I have reinstalled it, to no avail). * Another possible signpost is the inability to run the latest version of Internet Explorer, which reports an 'Internet Explorer has encountered a problem etc. etc.' message. * Sometimes, Windows Media PLAYER reports a possible plugin error and disables them (the optional plugins I have there are last.fm and MSN Now Playing. * The last possible signpost is what I THINK is the CD drive making a strange grinding noise ever so often... The computer was basically rebuilt by a friend of mine shortly before the problem started; he put in a new video card, RAM and motherboard. When asked about the problem, he said something to me about 'clocking' and talked about the BIOS, but was never specific. Since then I have installed a new HDD, but do not see this as a likely problem. OS: XP SP2 Home ed. Manufacturer: VIA Tech. Model: PT800-8237 BIOS: Phoenix AwardBIOS v6.00PG Processor: Intel Celeron CPU 2.40 GHz RAM: 512MB (SD I think) Video: Sapphire Radeon 9250 128MB Sound: SB Live! Wave Device Not sure if this problem is resolvable, and expect it could be complex, but it seems to be deteriorating, and so I thought I should try to get advice while I should. does it freeze during the load screen just after statrtup or after logging in?Quote from: ms_dos_sux on June 02, 2007, 06:47:55 AM does it freeze during the load screen just after statrtup or after logging in? Once logged in - while desktop is loading and things are getting started (i.e. once programs that load at startup are starting e.g. virus protection) However, it freezes within about the first five minutes of starting. Only rarely does it freeze after five minutes or so.Start / run / msconfig/ disable all but necessary programs that start when Windows does / reboot and see if it still locks up. If not, then one of the startup programs is the offender and must be determined by trial-and-error. Alan <>< also what protections do you have? does this still happen in safe mode(rapidly press f8 before windows loads)??Protection as in virus protection? NORTON AntiVirus 2005.... and Windows Firewall I think... Thanks for the advice, I will try it out ASAP.do you still have a SUBSCRIPTION to norton?? if not you might want to remove it and get AVG freeFunny you should say that - I did that very thing yesterday and got AVG upon recommendation from a friend - it's found loads of stuff that Norton hadn't so far... Perhaps this could be the problem? Thanks for the advice. EDIT: Does Norton have to be removed on the way shown on the link?yes to remove it completely

Solve : Computer freezes shortly after start-up, cannot identify cause?

Answer»

This problem started a couple of years ago, when playing a game (specifically Doom 3) the computer invariably froze (he length of time varied 5-30 mins approx). Since then this problem (if it is the same problem) has progressed and now the computer regularly (approx. every other startup) freezes shortly after starting. Often this happens before I click anything.

* This problem is especially noticeable when starting Windows Live Messenger which works sometimes, but more often than not freezes the computer once logged in (I have reinstalled it, to no avail).

* Another possible signpost is the inability to run the latest version of Internet Explorer, which reports an 'Internet Explorer has encountered a problem etc. etc.' message.

* Sometimes, Windows Media PLAYER reports a possible plugin error and disables them (the optional plugins I have there are last.fm and MSN Now Playing.

* The last possible signpost is what I THINK is the CD drive making a strange grinding noise ever so often...

The computer was basically rebuilt by a friend of mine shortly before the problem started; he put in a new video card, RAM and motherboard. When asked about the problem, he said something to me about 'clocking' and talked about the BIOS, but was never specific. Since then I have installed a new HDD, but do not see this as a likely problem.

OS: XP SP2 Home ed.
Manufacturer: VIA Tech.
Model: PT800-8237
BIOS: Phoenix AwardBIOS v6.00PG
Processor: Intel Celeron CPU 2.40 GHz
RAM: 512MB (SD I think)
Video: Sapphire Radeon 9250 128MB
Sound: SB Live! Wave Device

Not sure if this problem is resolvable, and expect it could be complex, but it seems to be deteriorating, and so I thought I should try to get advice while I should.
does it freeze during the load screen just after statrtup or after logging in?Quote from: ms_dos_sux on June 02, 2007, 06:47:55 AM

does it freeze during the load screen just after statrtup or after logging in?

Once logged in - while desktop is loading and things are getting started (i.e. once programs that load at startup are starting e.g. virus protection)

However, it freezes within about the first five minutes of starting. Only rarely does it freeze after five minutes or so.Start / run / msconfig/ disable all but necessary programs that start when Windows does / reboot and see if it still locks up. If not, then one of the startup programs is the offender and must be determined by trial-and-error.

Alan <>< also what protections do you have?

does this still happen in safe mode(rapidly press f8 before windows loads)??Protection as in virus protection? NORTON AntiVirus 2005....
and Windows Firewall I think...

Thanks for the advice, I will try it out ASAP.do you still have a SUBSCRIPTION to norton?? if not you might want to remove it and get AVG freeFunny you should say that - I did that very thing yesterday and got AVG upon recommendation from a friend - it's found loads of stuff that Norton hadn't so far... Perhaps this could be the problem?

Thanks for the advice.

EDIT: Does Norton have to be removed on the way shown on the link?yes to remove it completely

Solve : Computer freezes shortly after start-up, cannot identify cause?

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