PC issue- techy advice please

[CMAC]

I keep getting a blue screen with text and windows having an error and it shuts down, happens about 3 times a week, reboot and all is ok until the next time.
I click the "let windows check online for a solution" but nothing ever happens.

I started in safe mode yesterday but with all icons about the size of a small bungalow I rebooted back to 'normal' mode.

I'm concerned its all going to go bang and I lose all pictures/info/docs/emails etc so any ideas what might be causing it? or a laymans guide as to identifying the problem?

Its Windows 7 Professional with 6GB Ram a Radeon 5800 Graphics card and i7 processor (I think from memory its something like that)

 

[PhilTheFragger]

Certainly a good spec machine, what you are getting are called Stop Errors and they can be a pain to sort out

When the next one comes up, can you write down the first 2 or 3 lines of text and post it or PM it

Then I can have a look.

Have you changed anything recently, in terms of hardware or new programs

Fragger

 

[BrizoH71]

My first question is, have you updated any software recently, either through Windows Update or any other updater, such as your graphics driver?

Not unlike a wonky golf swing, it could be any one of 100 things that has gone wrong -bad software, failing hardware, overheating, malware, etc... and back up that stuff! Just in case...

 

[CMAC]

Thanks for the quick reply phil, I havent changed any hardware since I got it, cant think of any programmes installed in the last 6 months. when the pc crashes and the blue screen with text appears, its only there for a very short time them it shuts down, I'll see what I can write down before it disappears again.

Is there any progs I can run that will 'test' everything like a diagnostic?

 

[CMAC]

My first question is, have you updated any software recently, either through Windows Update or any other updater, such as your graphics driver?

updated the graphics driver twice in the last 5 mths. The windows updater updates daily though, always a few hundred kilobyte critical update.

 

[sawtooth]

Could be that your HDD is failing, is it clicking or making more noise than usual. Its an educated guess without looking at the machine but the disk is a moving part and prone to failure more than anything else on a PC.

My advice is to prepare for the worst and backup your files now while you are still able, when done format and restore the PC to default using recovery disks. If it happens after that you have a hardware problem ie disk, RAM, etc if not then you're good!

 

[BrizoH71]

How long have the crashes been going on for?

If the system has only recently started crashing, try taking the side of the case off and giving the fans and insides of the PC a good clean out with a can of compressed air and the hoover. The fans might be clogged with guff, limiting airflow and trapping heat.

 

[CMAC]

@sawtooth- thanks will do
@BrizoH71- also good idea will try that also

 

[brendy]

While the cover is off, reseat the memory and graphics card just to rule a loose contact out.

 

[PhilTheFragger]

And be careful with that hoover, it creates static and it can arc and wreck your motherboard.

Keep it at least an inch away from any type of circuit board, just to the fans .

 

[PhilTheFragger]

Actually one thing you can try to see if it is a hardware or software issue is to boot into safemode (F8 after powerup) and go start, programs, accessories, system tools, system Restore

Restore the system to a date before the problems started

If after this problems still occur then it is most likely to be a hardware fault

 

[daymond]

Don't want to depress you but I had the same thing with my last laptop. Terminal.

 

[Foxholer]

I've found it's best to have windows Updater notify that there's an update. It can be a pain, on my marginal connection, to have to wait while it 'Auto Updates'.

 

[ScienceBoy]

Is your PC handicap low enough to have an i7?

I think you should have an i5 or i3 really....

 

[CMAC]

Is your PC handicap low enough to have an i7?

I think you should have an i5 or i3 really....

just checked its an i7 930 2.8ghz overclocked, does that mean I'm near scratch, I've had an i7 since........... I got it



I'll take it apart tomorrow and clean and reseat the GFX card and RAM, good idea Brendy:thup:

@phil, not keen on a restore phil as I'll lose precious pictures and some downloads

 

[PhilTheFragger]

You wont lose any data with a system restore, as it only effects the registry and and recent changes, it does not touch your data

Sysrem recovery or Reformatting, now that will lose your stuff

Fragger

 

[CMAC]

You wont lose any data with a system restore, as it only effects the registry and and recent changes, it does not touch your data

Sysrem recovery or Reformatting, now that will lose your stuff

Fragger

ahh in that case that will be the next thing to try after cleaning and reseating, although I cant see how changing my seat at the pc is going to help