new computer freezes. Hyperthreading?

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OhGats

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Just bought a new puter from loose components and after installing it found that it would suddenly freeze. that is, the cursor would freeze, cant access task manager or anything else, only way out is a restart. It is a dual core pentium with a biostar mobo. I believe there may be an issue with hyperthreading but dont see any obvious way to turn it off in the bios. Its not a drive problem or OS as both are from my old machine, and I did the reload twice just in case. I am thinking there is a heat problem but the only way will be to swop out 1 bit by 1. It does seemt o be running better with its covers off too. Unfortunately there is no real pattern either which makes it even more fun. Any ideas or suggestions?
Oh, and taking it back.... well, I wont put my foot in the shop where I bought it ever again. They are a thoroughly bad experience and I regret my purchase big time, but its done so I better try get this thing to work.
 
Check out WKJ:Beanie's sticky thread in this forum.

Firstly, you should DEFINITELY re-install windows if you've significantly changed your hardware. If you still aren't getting anywhere:

1) What are the temps?
2) Does it happen while doing anything in particular? If not, does it do it even while idling?
3) What makes you think it's a problem with Hyperthreading (does the Pentium Dual-Core even USE hyperthreading?!?!)
4) Have you tried stripping down the computer as far as possible? If the motherboard has onboard video, try using just the chassis, motherboard, processor, ram and hard drive, and see if it still does it.
 
Is it a Old HDD in a New PC system?
Have you made sure that the Heatsink is properly in place? I know with those intel Pentium Daul Core Stock HSF sometimes don't seat correctly. [I had the same problem]

you can use Core temp & run Prime 95 to check the temps on your CPU if it somewhere in the 70-85c temps Switch it off! and check the HSF

Core Temp
Prime 95
 
First thing you should check is temps. If your temps are reasonable then try swapping out the RAM. Most "freezes" are caused by these two things. Worst case it might be your processor. I just find it strange that you managed to get through an entire install without a freeze. Let us know what the temps are doing first. Ok? :D
 
CPU temp is running at 19 degrees according to monitor, HDD is perfect, its been in my old machine for ages and never gave any hassles. Formatted and reinstalled XP twice already. I have not noticed a pattern to it, first time was when I tried to open an AVI, then it happened when I was DL'ing an update, then in the middle of a chat session. Also happened when moving a shortcut to the quick launch taskbar. The machine is already about as stripped down as it can go ie. onboard video, chassis, motherboard, processor, ram and hard drive, and see if it still does it. I installed another case fan today and have been running it with cover on, so far so good. Should processor fan blow onto the heatsink? or draw heat from the heatsink?
 
19deg?!?!? That's really low...

The processor fan draws heat away from the heatsink.

You should check out you power supply. And look on the motherboard for suspect caps. And check out the RAM
 
umm dual cores do not have hyper threading as far as i recall ie 2 cores is 4, that was the old days of the p4 single core era
 
Thats what I thought too, and it was true for my old amd, but this one (an intel) blows onto the heatsink, its not miswired either as the connector is keyed.
I also noticed that the CPU temp was 26 this afternoon just after I had a freeze up (nothing went wrong yesterday though)
Today the cpu temp is sitting at between 20 and 22 according to the monitor.



sn3rd said:
19deg?!?!? That's really low...

The processor fan draws heat away from the heatsink.

You should check out you power supply. And look on the motherboard for suspect caps. And check out the RAM
Click to expand...
 
OhGats said:
I also noticed that the CPU temp was 26 this afternoon just after I had a freeze up (nothing went wrong yesterday though)
Today the cpu temp is sitting at between 20 and 22 according to the monitor.
Click to expand...

Is your case in a freezer? My room temp is about 18'C at the moment and on bootup my processor is running at around 27'C and my PC is liquid cooled. What software are you using to monitor the temp with? Try HWMonitor and see what that says. Have you tried swapping out the memory sticks?
 
I am using Everest and something called ITE smart guardian which was on the motherboard driver CD, the 2 seem to correlate with the temp reading. I think its time for another new Mobo.... grrrrrrrr.


MadMailMan said:
Is your case in a freezer? My room temp is about 18'C at the moment and on bootup my processor is running at around 27'C and my PC is liquid cooled. What software are you using to monitor the temp with? Try HWMonitor and see what that says. Have you tried swapping out the memory sticks?
Click to expand...
 
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