Computer Suck
 

Just a bit of BG info:
Windows 2000
120 gigs HD
now 14 gig free, was 2 gig free
havn't reinstalled windows since purchased 2 1/2 years ago
fragmentation 40%, was around 95%

Started freezing on FFXI, thought there was something wrong with FFXI, but I noticed it was only freezing in very intensive areas. Checked for viruses, spyware, adaware, etc. Found a couple of each, but removing them did not fix the problem. Began freezing on a few FPS games as well. Froze once or twice rebooting, as well as once using firefox.

After uninstalling a few games a rarely play, and re-defraging, checked to see if it would work. No good, froze when zooming in across a terrain in an online FPS.

As the machine reset, the loading windows screen froze, and the screen displaying a significant ammount of horizontal lines across it. This happened to our old computer too, but since it was outdated, pops decided not to bother fixing it since we had a newer one.

I thought it was a Hardware issue when it happened on the other machine, but since this ones having the same issue... I'm thinking perhaps its just time to reinstall windows >.>

The old machine would display either horizontal or vertical lines upon freezing. :cow:

Any help? ><

While I do think that reinstalling Windows would be a good idea anyways, since it has been so long since it's been done, I think that what you are describing is due to a hardware component overheating. It sounds to me like a video card issue, but it could be the processor overheating.

When we first got the machine, we upgraded the video card to nvidia fx 5950 or w/e. the machine in general overheated like crazy, so now we have this huge fan with ajustable rpm. I'd hope its not due to a component overheating :(

Nothings changed on the machine either. Except we had to reinstall our wireless connection cause the old router died while we were on vacation. Why would it begin to overheat now >.>? Actually, as soon as the new wirless router was setup and installed, my comps ordeal began :/

Things get old. Vid Cards (and fans especially) do die in time.

With your current set up it sounds like you need to do two things to really get things right.

1) Figure out how to get it running cooler. I'd recommend opening the case, clearing out the tons of dust inside. Then see if thats helps. If you want to do it right go to a HomeDepot or home maintenance store and look for a can of compressed air. Get that sucker clean!!!! ASAP

2) Reinstall Windows. And probably get XP. Microsoft will be dropping support for Windows 2000 < http://www.hardocp.com/news.html?new...IwMDYsaG5ld3M= > probably sooner than later which means no security updates. But you don't have to do this get XP. I was just suggesting that if you are gonna reinstall windows, then you might as well do it right.

I'm not a windows reinstall expert, though I do end up installing windows like 5-6 times a year (on different computers as well as my own sometimes). I like to do a hard format (erase) of the Hard Drive, but that doesnt have to be done. Either way, I recommend you back up your valuables before reinstalling. That leaves you in a pinch I know. But buying a 250GB external is NEVER a bad idea. Here are some hard drive externals for around $100. If you need to pinch pennies and have case room, you could buy an internal drive like this Samsung. I have this as my main HD now and it is superb!!

Anyway, I know that doesn't like fix your problems in a free way, but its what I got for advice.

It sounds as if your graphics card is getting too hot under constant use, or might just be that it is old and can't take the strain anymore. It may also be that the drivers are out of date, try looking for the most recent drivers for your card.

BTW, what graphics card do you have?

Also, now might be a good time to re-install Windows. The viruses/spyware that you spoke of like to have a play with your Windows settings, and move/delete files. If you do decide to re-install make sure you backup all your important information.

If I recall correctly, its a Nvidia 5950 FX

Did a little experiment, noticed when bringing up the task manager with no additional aps running (just windows) that it shows explorer running twice, and related file services twice, and svchost four times.

I launched a game, and before loading any of the 3d graphics, force closed both explorers through the task manager. The result? Ran around in FFXI for over an hour with a bit of lag at most. Didn't freeze at all, where as before, it was freezing with in a few minutes.

So... is my machine basically running two copies of windows? ><