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About four months ago, I had the problem that my computer kept randomly freezing and crashing. It didn't go to a blue screen or anything, it just froze and I couldn't move the mouse or anything. I posted my problem on a different forum and someone there said that it was a power supply problem. So I recently upgraded to a 600W power supply but I'm still having the same problem. I have little/no knowledge of what is in my PC, because I didn't make it, one of my mum's friends made it for me (which was a stupid idea really, because it's ****e). Anyway, does anyone know what the hell this problem could be? I'm thinking maybe it's a motherboard/RAM problem, but I have no idea. Please help, this has been bugging me since July. Thanks.

Hi there Sir Mickey , welcome to PCHF.

Does that only happen when the pc is on for a while , or under heavy load? Or also when it just starts?


It could be a heat issue , try one of these apps to have a look at that:

http://www.almico.com/sfdownload.php

http://mbm.livewiredev.com/


But it could also be a malware problem , if you follow the instructions in the "Prework" link below and post the log files , we'll have a look at that.

Hi Joe5,

Well at the moment, it's when I try to re-install Windows. I gave my friend my hard drive to use whilst my PC wasn't working, because his was broke. It got through the formatting of the hard drive and copying Windows files but when it installs, it gets up to 'saving settings' and then freezes. So really, I can't download those apps until I get my PC up again. Also, I can't imagine it being a heat problem - my CPU fan honestly is the biggest CPU fan I have ever seen. Would it be wise just to buy a new CPU fan, just to see if that is the problem? I've already made my mum spend ?20 on a PSU and she wasn't best pleased when she found out that it wasn't the problem.

And obviously, seeing as though I've recently formatted the computer, it's not a malware problem but thanks for your help.

As long as you can see your CPU fan spinning then I don't see any need in purchasing another one.

Do you have another hard drive that you could try in your system?

Does it always freeze at the same place - "Saving Settings"?

Not another hard drive that has Windows on it, no. And yeah, every time I've tried to install Windows (only three) it's frozen at the same place, 'saving settings'. But it's not a problem with the XP disc, this has happened several times before. The first time it happened was when I was transferring my whole 'My Music' folder from one hard drive to another. Since then it's happened when I'm not really doing much - just browsing the web or listening to music.

So do you have another hard drive that you can try and install Windows onto as a test?

I have a feeling there could be an issue with the current drive.

Okay, I'll try that. But remember, I gave my hard drive to my friend to use and he had no problems with it.