I'm running a Sony Vaio VGC-RA710G with a 3.2GHz processor, 512MB RAM, 250 gig HD running Windows XP Media Center 2005. Every time I have several programs running...like maybe Media Center TV, downloading a movie, surfing the web, etc, my PC will randomly freeze up. No errors, just frozen. The CPU useage rarely goes above 50%...I'm not quite sure what the deal is. I do virus/spyware scans will several scanners weekly, Defrags frequently, etc. Do I need more RAM?

Awhile ago my friend partiotioned my HD so that I have all of my system files on one side and all of my personal files on another. Could this be the problem?

 

sounds like a fubar'ed driver or bad ram. :hs:

 

Is there any way to test that out? I wish it was a car h:

 

You could try setting your swap space to be static instead of a range. If it were me, I'd just reinstall. :happysad:

 

And I have no idea what you just said.

 

More Ram
Format
Reinstall
Frag
???
Profit

 

http://www.memtest86.com/memtest86-3.2.iso.zip

Download that zip and burn the image file, it will create a bootable cd. Then run memtest to test your memory.

In addition, you can try installing your ram into another machine and use it for a while to see if you can get it to lock up.

Before going and buying any hardware, first thing I would do is back up all your important files. Then do a clean install of windows, if the problem persists; then I would suspect a hardware problem ie: bad ram or failing hard drive.

90% of the time shit is fixed by an annual/semi-annual clean installation of windows.

Oh yeah, see if there are any bios/software updates for your motherboard by going to sony's website.

good luck.

 

more ram only fixes slowness ... it won't repair the random restart issue.


This really sounds like a driver conflict issue. When your PC restarts, note the programs that you were running. Try to reinstall those programs only. That might clean things up.

 

possible issues:

bad ram : download memtest... burn it to a disc, and boot to it.... it will scan your ram
overheating : open up the side of the case, and have a desk fan blow at it... see if it crashes.
progeam issue : does it happen in safe mode?

 

Found your problem