So I got a new computer recently, and everything has worked fine for a little while but then I started getting this weird problem. What happens is that windows just freezes shortly after start up. This ONLY happens when I'm surfing or just using windows. If I'm playing any game (TF2, warhammer) the games run fine and no freezes what so ever even if I play for several hours.

At first I thought it was the ram (kingston 6400) but then if it were the ram then games would also freeze. At this point I'm thinking it's either the version of windows I have or there's a program I have installed that's screwing something up. I have the latest drivers for everything.

edit: XP.
Specs:
P5Q-SE
E8400
HD4870
3gig Kingston ram
850w PSU

Posting from safemode (which doesn't let me uninstall anything). Anyone have any idea what it is?

XP or Vista?

Tried disabling any automatic downclocking? Cool and quiet type of stuff?

Also, have you tried keeping an eye on your video card and cpu temperature over time, in case your fans are not properly speed scaling for heat demands?

If you haven't already run through a few cycles with memtest (use a boot CD) then you should do it anyway though.

Tried disabling any automatic downclocking? Cool and quiet type of stuff?

Also, have you tried keeping an eye on your video card and cpu temperature over time, in case your fans are not properly speed scaling for heat demands?

Not exactly sure how to do any of this apart from checking cpu/mobo temp in bios. I remember checking the cpu/mobo temp and they seemed at normal levels. Anyway, wouldn't overheating result in a crash WHILE playing games and not windows is in (most likely) idle mode?

edit: using XP service pack 2

what virus scanner you run?

had nod32 but uninstalled it.

Anyway, wouldn't overheating result in a crash WHILE playing games and not windows is in (most likely) idle mode?

Cpu downclocks -> fan speed is adjusted downwards -> heat rises but cool&quiet type of feature fails to function properly and doesn't bring fan speed back up to meet thermal requirements. I've seen this type of thing happen once or twice with motherboards though it's pretty rare.

Had a video card that turned its fan speed down while not rendering 3d (thus, sitting at your desktop or browsing) but still got hot and locked up.

Mobo and vid card in question both worked ok with bios/firmware update iirc.

Ok you're making sense now. Do I check in the bios for automatic downclocking? No idea where it is.

Still have no idea how to fix the problem

anything in ur event logs ?

Nothing at the time of the freeze but there are a few errors appearing but I think thats mostly because I'm running in safemode atm.

Try another HDD - sounds like the same problems I had with my PC. Replaced the HDD and it all came up trumps.

Got programs like daemon or everest running?

I just updated the firmware for the mobo and it seems to be going great if this doesnt help I'll try another hdd I think.

Yeah I've got daemon tools running.

long shot, but daemon tools used to lock my computer up if i had it set to run on startup. May want to give that a try.

yea daemon is pretty homo like that

On this note i have a problem of my own.

I just bought a new pc and have an asus p5kplc/1600 mobo.

I can't run anymore than 2 gigs of memory.

If i put in a third stick my pc doesnt post video on boot. At first i thought it was the memory, so i got another stick still no luck. The memory im using is the 1 gig kinston KVR800D2N6/1G stiks. I even tried 4 stiks, still no luck, im stuck with 2 gig of ram.

Any ideas? is it the sticks im using?

After a bit of google detective work: "apparently it can only run 667Mhz if all 4 memory socket is being used" which has also been disputed... but maybe trying lowering the speed to 667Mhz and see if it works? I don't think I'd be happy with that as a long term solution cause it seems stupid that it wouldn't, but it may get it working for now! gl

cant get your hands on some 2gig sticks to test tiny?

Yeh i think I might.

I was thinking that might be the problem. Something do with the voltage range of the sticks or something and the mobo not being able to power anymore. So maybe duel 2 gig sticks might do the trick. I will give it a shot.