Keyboard/mouse problem

[photoworks]

I've never faced such a problem before:
The mouse and the keyboard stuck (freeze) after a while, maybe after 5 minutes, maybe 1 hour or so. The PC is not responding, I have to unplug it from the mains and restart again. I've always my antivirus updated but no virus found.
It has a 3,2Ghz dual core processor with 2Gb Ram and WinXP-SP2.

Any solutions/advice :bowdown: :bowdown:

Billy

[Bilbo]

Does this happen every time? I'm guessing here but perhaps it's an overheating problem - is your fan turning?

Bob

[photoworks]

Does this happen every time? I'm guessing here but perhaps it's an overheating problem - is your fan turning?

Bob


Yes Bob it happens almost every time and the fan is working. Is it possible to be a graphics card problem? (NVidia 6600 with 256mb ram).
The problem is more frequent when I use the Windows explorer (not IE) to check/transfer my files
Thanks for the response.

Billy

[Bilbo]

Have you also tried booting up in Safe Mode and start troubleshooting from there?

[photoworks]

No I haven't but as you say I better have to do this (good old Win95/98 days he, he)
Now I have to guess what I must look at first. The system restore didn't solve the problem. Deep in my mind is the motherboard :doh: , but I prefer to call it bad enstict.

Billy

[Swampy]

Usually a serious memory problem, or as you guessed it, a flaky motherboard could be causing this.

You should almost never have to pull the plug to turn off your machine. For Starters:

1. when it's locked up, press the caps lock key a few times. Does the caps light turn on and off on the keyboard?

If it does, then that's a troubleshooting spot as the computer is not locked up fully.

If you have a spare mouse and keyboard laying around, it might be worth it to try them out and see what happens. It could be a driver issue and plugging a new USB keyboard/mouse in will install drivers that could fix the issue.

If the caps lock light doesn't turn on/off, then try pressing your power button just like you would if you were turning it on. Windows is setup to do one of a few things when the power button is pressed, close all applications and shut off, suspend, hibernate and nothing are the options for that. By default, it will close all applications and shut down. Much nicer than pulling the plug.

If all that fails, instead of reaching behind everything to pull the plug and plug it back in, you should be able to hold the power button in for 5-8 seconds and it will do a hard power down just like pulling the plug. If it doesn't, then I might suspect the motherboard at that point.

[photoworks]

Thanks Bryan, I'll try a new keyboard tomorrow (I checked with another mouse, the problem remains).
Now I'm waiting for the next "freeze" to check what you mentioned.
I'll try the 8sec hold of the power button too..
As for the mobo is an Intel one I don't remember the model.
When I bought this PC last February I had severe crash problems since day 1.
It was a faulty Toshiba DVD-RW drive that cause them, change it with a Pioneer and ...bingo!

Billy

[photoworks]

Well... it was a Worm!!!!.
After an intensive antivirus scan (I installed and a second antivirus program for this reason, knowing that this can cause problems) the worm Sbot....something was found twice.
Now the PC is finally ...working :) (cross my fingers)

Thanks Bob and Bryan, HAPPY NEW YEAR :cheers: :cheers:
Billy

[photoworks]

And finally CRASHED completely :lol: :lol: :lol: :haha:
A nice disk format and an XP re-installation was what the doctor ordered.
:doh:

Billy