"dino" wrote in message
...
Help needed!!!!!!!!!

I have an intermittent crashing problem. It roughly happens when I start to
stretch the machine doing this like video conversion AVI to MPG etc. Or
alternatively it sometimes crashes when left alone with no programs running.
It may be after 10 minutes or 5 days when left with nothing running but is
usually 10% into converting a video file 700Mb.


Do a basic hardware check:

1. Make sure your CPU and case temperatures are OK, and
that the CPU fan, case fans, and any other fans are
working. One tool you can use to check temperatures
is the free Hpme Edition of Everest. You can download
it from http://www.lavalys.com/products.php?lang=en.
Run it, expand "Computer", and click on "Sensor". On
that same display, you can also check to see whether the
voltages are within spec, and you might watch them for a
while to see whether they fluctuate -- the display updates
itself automatically every few seconds.

2. You can also use Everest to check the SMART readings of
the hard drive(s): Expand "Storage" and click on "SMART".
The "Worst" value of all the parameters not marked "Always
passing" should be well above the "Threshold" (except for
the "Spin Retry Count", whose worst value may be just a
little over the threshold).

3. Shut down your computer and turn off power *at the
surge protector* (which cuts off standby power while
leaving your computer grounded) or unplug it. Take
the standard precautions against static electricity
(wear a wrist strap or keep one hand grounded at all
times).

4. Open up your computer and dust it out. *Do not use a
vacuum cleaner* - it might cause static discharge.
Get some dust remover spray (RadioShack has it) and
a dust mask, and take your computer outside and spray
out the dust. Keep the end of the spray straw at least
six inches from any components and keep it moving so as
to avoid excessive thermal shock to the components.

5. Reseat all the modules, including the memory modules,
and cables inside your computer.

6. Remove your CMOS battery and check its voltage
(or just replace it). Note: If you do this step, you'll have
to set up your BIOS again.

7. Turn on your computer, and run a few cycles of "memtest86+"
(download from http://www.memtest.org) to thoroughly
check out your memory. You should get zero errors.

--Bob Day
http://bobday.vze.com