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June 17th, 2002 18:00
System locks up / freezes
When I turn my computer on and let it sit there for several minutes it locks up. No keyboard or mouse. I can't restart or shut down. I have to power the whole system down. This same thing happens if I type for too long, say on a Word document.
I have shut off all hibernation. This happens with or without a screen saver on (with the screen saver set to go off in short duration, the whole thing locks with the screen saver frozen).
I'm running XP Pro on a refurbed Dimension 4400. 1.6 MGHz P4.
I have shut off all hibernation. This happens with or without a screen saver on (with the screen saver set to go off in short duration, the whole thing locks with the screen saver frozen).
I'm running XP Pro on a refurbed Dimension 4400. 1.6 MGHz P4.
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gdsykes
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June 18th, 2002 03:00
Karell
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2.5K Posts
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June 18th, 2002 14:00
Thank you for using the Dell | Talk forum.
Boot the system to Windows Safe Mode, then let the system sit for a little while.
If the system locks up, then the problem could be Windows or hardware related.
If the system does not lock up, then the problem could be caused by software
that is being loaded at startup.
If the system does not lock up in Safe Mode, try the following steps from Safe Mode.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
**Entering Safe Mode**
1.Restart your system.
2.When you see the blue Dell globe or screen, press the ( F8 ) key about 3 times a second.
3.You should get the Windows startup menu. Use the (Up or Down) arrow keys to highlight (SafeMode)
4.Press (Enter) on (Safe Mode), then press (Enter) on (Windows XP).
5.The system should boot to Safe Mode.
**Clear the Startup Environment.**
Click on (Start,Programs,)
Find the (Startup) folder, and right click the mouse button over it.
You should get a small gray windows.
Go down to "Explore" and left click on "Explore"
You should get a "Startup" window that is split in two.
High light and delete all the icons on the right hand side of the Window.
**Using MSconfig to stop all background programs.**
Left-click on START | RUN.
Type in "msconfig" in the "Open" dialog box and left-click on "OK."
When the "System Configuration Utility" window appears, the "General" tab will be visible. Left-click on "Selective Startup."
Remove the check marks from each choice except "System.ini," by left clicking on the check marks.
Click the Startup tab.
Uncheck every entry.
Left-click on "Apply" and then left-click on "OK."
A message will appear stating that "For the changes to take place, the system must be restarted." Left-click on the "OK" button, and the system will begin the restart.
If the problem stops, then try using the steps below, to isolate the program that
is causing the problem.
Repeat the first couple steps above, but instead of un-checking the entries, re-check one entry at a time until you have identified the category that is the cause of the problem. After you have isolated the application, utility, or device driver that is causing the problem, you will be able to proceed with further troubleshooting. One of the easiest methods to attempt a resolution is to reinstall the problematic application or device driver. The entry causing the problem can be left disabled if it does not affect system operation.
**Delete old dos/legacy configuration files.**
Search the system for these files, delete them.
Autoexec.bat
Config.sys
Win.ini
-Delete "All" the files and folders in the ( C:\Windows\Temp ) and
( C:\Windows\Temporary Internet Files ) folder.
Search the system for any ( *.TMP ) files, and delete them.
Message Edited on 06/18/02 10:36AM by DELL_Karell