Computer freezes every once in awhile?

Wayne Carver · Post by **Wayne Carver** » 19 Feb 2003 5:15 pm

What could cause a computer to freeze in different programs at different times. It's an old 233mhz that just started doing this about two weeks ago. I was running windows95 when it started. I upgraded to a larger drive and did a clean install of windowsME and it is still doing it. It seems to do it more when its been on for awhile. Someone suggested putting new "stuff" between the processor and heatsink/fan. I guess you can buy this heatsink grease at Radio Shack.

Larry Bell · Post by **Larry Bell** » 21 Feb 2003 6:22 am

Yes, it could be a thermal problem, but the bottom line is that this machine is barely capable of even running the operating system. How much RAM you have can contribute to the performance as well, but a P-233 is not going to provide much horespower. Considering that you can buy 10x the processor speed for about $100 and complete systems are available for less than $500, replacing the system will save you a lot of time and give you MUCH, MUCH better performance and stability.

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Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
2000 Fessenden S-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S-12 6x6, 1971 Dobro

Jim Smith · Post by **Jim Smith** » 21 Feb 2003 6:32 am

My girlfriend's computer is in about the same shape. She's about ready to buy a new computer, but wants to keep her existing OS and software, plus her monitor, keyboard, and mouse. Where is a good place to buy a barebones system with no software and no peripherals, and about what would she pay?

She's very comfortable with reinstalling her OS and software, but I'm not in the best of shape to assemble one from scratch for her.

Wayne Carver · Post by **Wayne Carver** » 21 Feb 2003 6:56 am

Someone suggested a Dell site that sells units that were once leased or rented and then chacked out by Dell. I don't know where to check on these. I'll try to find out.
I've decided ya'll are right about a 233 not being fast enough for WindowsME. I have enough memory. I think it is the processor, I checked it in another computer and it does the same thing. I've got another 233cpu i'll put in it and put Win95 back on it until I can get a faster newer unit.
I understand WindowsME uses a lot of resources anyway.

Larry Bell · Post by **Larry Bell** » 21 Feb 2003 7:09 am

I personally steer clear of ME. Just a personal preference -- I'd go with 98se before ME any time -- altho I would probably go with Win95 for a 266MHz processor. With the combination of hardware (processor, memory, BIOS, etc.) and software that doesn't behave properly (some of it published by Microsoft), there are so many things that can go wrong. Trying to diagnose problems on a modern, loaded PC can be a real challenge, even for one who does it every day.

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Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
2000 Fessenden S-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S-12 6x6, 1971 Dobro[This message was edited by Larry Bell on 21 February 2003 at 07:11 AM.]

Jim Smith · Post by **Jim Smith** » 21 Feb 2003 7:20 am

Most of the PC's I see advertised come with XP, which neither of us are interested in. She currently uses Windows 2000 both at home and at work as a DBA on a Windows 2000 system. Even if a new PC comes with the OS you like, why pay for it again when you already have it?

Wayne Carver · Post by **Wayne Carver** » 21 Feb 2003 11:16 am

You might try Tigerdirect.com
They have barebones kits without operating systems.