freezing computer
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Posted on Jan 28, 2004 04:25 pm
Clansonkid
MegaMan
Member Since: Mar 05, 2003
every now and then when im recording, my computer will freeze. i dont know why this would happen when i have a p3 at 338 megs of ram? im running it with windows xp with no updates, because its not hooked up to the net. i could also reformat it with windows 2000, if it would be more stable. i really could use some help with this one.
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Jan 28, 2004 05:05 pm Well, GET it on the internet and update it, Windows XP has some significant upgrades, SP1 being one of them, that can increase stability substantially under certain situations. Also, how big of a PIII, if it's under 500mHz or so, ya really shouldn't run XP...
Jan 28, 2004 05:14 pm ok, so would you recommend windows 2000 with no updates instead?
Jan 28, 2004 05:16 pm I would never recommend Windows 2000 over Windows XP for multimedia work, and I also do not recommend NOT updating your PC. Those updates exist for a reason...it isn't just to make Microsoft employees look busy...Just get it online and update it, at least the SP1 if nothing else...
Jan 28, 2004 05:21 pm k, ill try and find a way, thanks
Jan 28, 2004 07:11 pm i have a P3 700MHz with 384MB of RAM, and it freezes all the time. I don't even have to be doing anything LOL! At least once a week it just freaks out. I'm used to it.
CrashIgnorance Is StrengthMember
Since: Nov 10, 2002
Jan 29, 2004 03:41 pm Buy a Mac, solve all your problems, kinda.
Jan 29, 2004 03:44 pm geez jamie, what version of windows are you using and have you updated it?
Jan 29, 2004 03:46 pm Ya know, since switching to XP I have not had my studio PC freeze up even once...unless I totally asked for it, like using beta device drivers or something...
Jan 29, 2004 03:47 pm hmmm, thats enticing, what all updates do you have on it?
Jan 29, 2004 03:56 pm the only Windows discs i own are 3.11, 95, and 98se. I have no intentions of wasting $ on an upgrade until I'm ready to build a new machine (this summer? fall?). at which point i'm confortable enough now using XP that I'm sure I'll go with that.
Jan 29, 2004 09:03 pm hey db masters, did you completely update your xp?
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Jan 29, 2004 10:22 pm Clanson, if you want the best performance out of you PC, yes indeed do a complete update. I did a complete fresh install and all the updates save for the .net framework patch and I have not had one single glitch or hick up. Unless as dB stated I installed a beta driver and had it coming. And even then it has been mild.
so yes updates are very important.
Jan 30, 2004 04:22 am XP is the only OS where I actually update the .Net framework, because OS's before that the framework is an optional component anyway. As I recall with XP the .Net framework is an included piece of the install (I might be wrong there) but yes, there are only a very, very select few updates that I won't bother with getting at time, such as the journal viewer and other non-sense that is totally unnecessary.
The "critical updates" and "driver updates" should be completely current, the "recommended updates" can be more scrutinized. The driver updates I never download from windows update tho. If it says I have a device with an older driver, I take note of the device and go to the website for that device and get it there...just to be sure.
Jan 30, 2004 08:07 am ok, the only problem would be getting it set up to the net, i only have broadband and thats on the computer im using right now.
Jan 30, 2004 08:09 am It's a big download. And if you don't have .Net powered applications you presumably don't need it.
That said, that and all updated are available windowsupdate.microsoft.com/
The first thing you want to do tho is go to www.microsoft.com/WindowsXP/sp1/default.asp and download Service Pack 1, as that is MANY of the available updates rolled in to one single install.
Jan 30, 2004 08:12 am FYI, the .Net Framework is a new MS standard architecture that encapsulates many of the MS run-time executable engines that power applications. The common dll's and so forth. So when people program apps for Windows, rather than having to include these run-time components in their installers, they can simply design their application to use the .Net Framework for those run-time components. It's more for the simplicity and benefit of programmers then for end users.
Bottom line, if you do not have any applications which specify that you need the framework, then you don't even need it on your machine. It should be one of the last things you worry about updating.
Jan 30, 2004 08:16 am alright, i got sp1 downloaded, and im gonna install and see how much it helps :)
TheTincanbugsloppy dice, drinks twiceMember
Since: Aug 05, 2003
Jan 30, 2004 08:24 am I feel your pain... I have ongoing computer issues myself... every now and then - say, once every two weeks or so - I'll be puttering around on the computer (doing something different everytime) and the darn thing will just go *CLICK*, my screen will go black instantly, and the computer will reboot. Sometimes it comes back up without a hard drive being found, and I have to shut it off for a few minutes to get it back.
Ok, so this post doesn't really help you... but anyhow, I sympathize with ya...
Jan 30, 2004 08:24 am Well, after you get SP1 installed (it takes a while) make sure you get any other "critical update" from WindowsUpdate before passing any judgement.
I find XP to be the highest performing, most stable Windows OS I have ever had the pleasure of working with, I am sure you will too if you take care of it like you should...which up until this point you haven't been.
Jan 30, 2004 09:02 am TCB, sounds like you are having HARDWARE problems...
TheTincanbugsloppy dice, drinks twiceMember
Since: Aug 05, 2003
Jan 30, 2004 10:13 am That doesn't surprise me... my dad built my computer out of the cheapest available parts. Heck, last week I was playing Tron 2.0 and suddenly heard this horrible spinning-plastic-on-plastic noise, and the app froze. I popped out the cd to find that the inner hub of the cd now held tons of light, circular scratches. It was unplayable. I went out and bought a DiskDoctor cd repair kit, used it on Tron, and now it works again. (didn't salvage my Alice game, though, with its one, tiny, deep scratch... bummer)
Jan 30, 2004 10:17 am Ya want so fun hardware issues...I am beta testing a new sound card for philips again, this morning before leaving for work I was listening to my Grateful Dead "Views from the Vault" DVD and the static and crap was unbearable...argh...but, hey, at least the sound card won't wreck the disk, that had to suck, dude...
Moral of the story, if you don't know, or like to deal with hardware issues, don't beta test hardware :-)
Jan 30, 2004 10:51 am XP never crashes on me. 98' crashes about 3 times a day....
Jan 30, 2004 10:51 am yeah, thats cuz 98 sucks.
better than 95, but still sucks.
Jan 30, 2004 11:20 am TCB - get rid of that CD drive
you can find a replacement for < $10 if you know where to look
TheTincanbugsloppy dice, drinks twiceMember
Since: Aug 05, 2003
Jan 30, 2004 12:17 pm Jamie, my thoughts exactly. Where would you look? My first stop is usually eBay.
cooloFrisco's Most UnderratedMember
Since: Jan 28, 2003
Jan 30, 2004 01:08 pm hey, Office Depot had some CDRW drives for $10.00 or $20.00 after rebate depending on where you live. I've gotten one for free after rebates before and have seen ads for those since too. Check your sunday paper ads for deals.
Jan 30, 2004 01:15 pm Yup, I live for the sunday ads, it shows me thing I didn't know I couldn't live without until I saw them for free after rebates LOL
TheTincanbugsloppy dice, drinks twiceMember
Since: Aug 05, 2003
Jan 30, 2004 01:17 pm db, I dig your new avatar... :)
Y... MCA, it's fun to stay at the
Y... MCA, yeah...
cooloFrisco's Most UnderratedMember
Since: Jan 28, 2003
Jan 30, 2004 01:23 pm yeah, I'm always trying to get 50 paks and 100 paks of CDRs for free after mail in rebate. And sometimes you find other stuff like computer mouses or keyboard cleaner or who knows what. But free is free.
the avatar IS pretty cool.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Jan 30, 2004 10:52 pm I will totally agree with dB on the XP update thing. He can attest to the fact that I had way to many crashes before XP as I am one who runs beta drivers freauzntly and they do crash stuff big time. Since running XP on the same machine that used to crash on a wim now I have no problems that I cant deal with, or as stated before that I didnt cause myself. And truthfully most of the beta stuff has a great time in XP and I always seem to find a way to get it straight in XP were as before I would trash the entire OS and have to start from scratch.
And I will agree, I live for the freebees and big rebates same as dB. It is the only reason I get the Sunday paper, just so I can see what I gotta have but dont really need.
And strong bad rocks, that is a killer avatar dude, I am way jealous now...
