Computer Freezes Every Day - Help Needed

[1MoreFish4U]

Start off by saying I am not real computer savvy. The problem unit is about 4 years old & my daughter uses it mostly for surfing kids sites. She's 5. The computer freezes up when it remains inactive for many hours or overnight. This has been happening every day for several weeks. AdAware & AVG find no problems. Here is the System Info if it helps. When the freeze occurs the only way out is a hard reboot. I have tried ctrol+alt+del; and esc with no success. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.

OS Name Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
Version 5.1.2600 Service Pack 2 Build 2600
OS Manufacturer Microsoft Corporation
System Name CARLY
System Manufacturer Dell Computer Corporation
System Model Dimension 2300
System Type X86-based PC
Processor x86 Family 15 Model 1 Stepping 3 GenuineIntel ~1794 Mhz
BIOS Version/Date Mitac Corp A02, 08/26/2002
SMBIOS Version 2.3
Windows Directory C:\WINDOWS
System Directory C:\WINDOWS\system32
Boot Device \Device\HarddiskVolume2
Locale United States
Hardware Abstraction Layer Version = "5.1.2600.2180 (xpsp_sp2_rtm.040803-2158)"
User Name CARLY\Dave
Time Zone Eastern Daylight Time
Total Physical Memory 1,024.00 MB
Available Physical Memory 636.36 MB
Total Virtual Memory 2.00 GB
Available Virtual Memory 1.96 GB
Page File Space 1.09 GB
Page File C:\pagefile.sys

[TomR]

I had a similar issue a few years ago and it was the processor overheating. I solved it by unplugging the computer, opening up the case and cleaning the air inlet/outlets and the processor cooling fins and fan.

Not sure this is your issue but it can't hurt.

[1MoreFish4U]

Good suggestion. It certainly needed it. I take care of my machines but was neglecting that one. I'll know in the morning if it did the trick. Thanks

[1MoreFish4U]

Well, no difference. The computer still froze. On some days the cursor moves but won't click anything - even the Start button. If left longer, then the entire bottom taskbar disappears as well, including the Quicklaunch icons and Start button. Any other suggestions?

[baumer]

Whenever stuff like this happens, it always seems to be the RAM.

If you can, plug in the RAM from another computer and see how long it goes without crashing.

[TomR]

Yeah, RAM would be my next suspect. If possible, baumer's suggestion is best.
If you can't do that, then here is some free software that I have used in the past: Simmtester DocMemory

Also, are you sure your cooling fans are running as they should be?

[BiPolar_Nut]

if I had a system like that when I was 5 I'd currently be doing federal time for fraud or counterfeiting lol.

Thank god for cheap parents and no internet in my amoral years.

Agree w/ above posts...sounds like either a heat (cooling fan) or RAM issue.

GL

[theblitz]

It is possible that you have some process that is chewing up CPU. This can get to the point of freezing your computer (from exprience).

Try downloading and installing Process Expolorer. This serves the same purpose as Task Manager but is about 1 Million % better. http://www.sysinternals.com/Utilitie...sExplorer.html

Start it running when you first turn on the computer. That way it will be up and running when the computer freezes. I find that I can switch to it even if the rest of the things won't work.
Best is NOT to minimise it bu just to keep it open all the time if possible.

[1MoreFish4U]

Thanks again for the suggestions. I'll try the Process Explorer first & then will try some different RAM next if necessary.