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Computer locks up

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by evsears

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My computer will act fine for awhile then it will not allow me to access any of my programs. I can double click all day and nothing happens. There are no error messages, just after a "soft boot" it says the particular program is "not responding".I have defragged, run Scan Disk, scanned through Norton (both the one installed on the computer plus I had Symantec do a scan from their webpage), Scan Registry and probably a few things I have since forgoten about. When it does this (it is not at any particular time), the hard drive makes a shirling sound like it is trying to start up and then winds down, then starts winding up and then winds down again. It ultimately does not start whatever program I am trying to access. My next step is toturn the computer off, wait awhile and sometimes it restarts (after a rest) and things work fine until the next time.

Help!!

5 replies

by bughunter

Check for bad CPU fan.
Check for bad power supply fan.
Check pagefile settings, unless you are
familiar with this setting make sure it is
set to automatic by letting Windows control it.
Check/reseat memory modules.

by evsears

One of the fans was not working so I replaced that. I also had to replace the hard drive. I really appreciate your help. Sorry about the delay getting back, down computer didn't help. Thanks again. Great suggestions.

by zlitocook

Bughunter is right look for your computer over heating. Is your computer setup where the airflow is good and the back and front of the computer has no obstructions? Also check the programs running in the back ground if a TSR is using all the memory and processer time it will do strange things. I use window washer and addaware to remove unwanted files and programs. It sounds like you system can not use any more resouces.

by evsears

Once again, right on track to a point. Had to replace one of the fans but also had to replace the hard drive. Thanks again. Sorry about the delay, down computer.

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