Pc constantly freezing!

flyinfishmonkey

Oh my god, I think i'm loosing my mind...! My computer keps freezing. I just got a new mobo and a graphics card and when windows starts at says found new hardware and exactly 15 seconds later (everytime) it just hangs (freezes) and I can't get it to do anything.! Ctrl Alt Dlt does nothing to restart it. Any ideas?? Its bummin' me out!!

seamus

Ugh. Motherboard upgrades are always tough. Bit like replacing the engine in your car with a completely different engine and hoping it'll just slot in nicely with no problem.

You have two options - salvage the situation or do a fresh install of Windows.

I'd advise the fresh install, but if you want to go the other route, boot into safe mode, uninstall your hardware, and install your new stuff. Windows will need some loving care.....

TacT

ok, you got a new motherboard and graphics card. Did you remove their drivers before attempting to install this new motherboard and card? I suspect not and windows is having a baby because it's trying to load software for hardware which is no longer connected to the machine, hence you end up bummed.

2 solutions of which the 2nd is more favourable really!

1 -- boot to safe mode and remove all the drivers for the hardware that was previously installed. Then reboot normally and allow it go go through it's job of detecting new hardware and if you say a prayer it MIGHT just work and allow you to install your new motherboard and graphics card drivers.

2 -- wipe the disk and reformat then re-install windows -- you'll make sure there's no leftover crap from other components that might cause you conflict trouble in the future and have a crisp, clean system to troubleshoot should it run into any trouble.

Mutant_Fruit

I'd have to go with reinstalling as probably the easiest and best way to resolve this kind of problem. I remember i upgraded a mobo+cpu before (without reintsalling windows), and i had really ****ty performace until i reinstalled windows.

Ciaran500

I advise against trying to contine with the same install of windows. It will never run right. Salvage all you data and format.

flyinfishmonkey

Right'o. Thanx for that lads. I think I will go with that option so and just re-instal the lot. I will come back for more great advise if that don't work...

TacT

flyinfishmonkey wrote:

Right'o. Thanx for that lads. I think I will go with that option so and just re-instal the lot. I will come back for more great advise if that don't work...

lies, you won't be back because it will be working and you'll be too busy having fun with your new toy

duridian

You don't mention which version of Windows you were running but if it's XP or 2000 there is a fairly straightforward trick to upgrading motherboards without wiping and reinstalling, if you don't do this you can sometimes experience a lot of hassle.
Basically you need to run Windows setup before removing the old motherboard and when Setup tries to restart for the first time shut off instead (pull out the power lead or something). Now swap the motherboards and when you restart the pc, hardware detection and configuration will be run so it proceeds to set up the new hardware properly for you. Also it keeps all your programs settings and stuff so there is no need to install anything except for the drivers for the new motherboard.

flyinfishmonkey

TacT wrote:

lies, you won't be back because it will be working and you'll be too busy having fun with your new toy

Ah now in fairness TacT, I always come back and thank peeps for their advise if it gets me up and running again... I have done in the past and will continue to do so in the future.

And its running 98 SE at present Duridian so no, the XP thing won't help me on this occasion.

flyinfishmonkey

Right then... Update! Its workin' perfect now..... but... I have two hard drives and one won't run. I think it must be f.u.b.a.r. I will try and format it too and hope for the best but its a bloody 40 gig so would be a shame to let it sit idley by fnar fnar. Cheers fella's!!

Muchos gracias