Strange computer behavior (Full Version)

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w4tvq -> Strange computer behavior (5/23/2008 2:11:42 PM)

My computer (Dell D530) did a weird thing yesterday and I wonder if anyone can xplain what it was.

I had been using the search facility trying to find a lost file (never found it). Later when I came back to the computer it as locked up like a tomb. Neither mouse nor keyboard would work; ctrl+alt+del didn't do anything either; and I could not even shut it off at the power switch on the CPU -- had to actually unplug it and the turn it back on. It rebooted okay and still works fine today. Anybody got an idea what would make a virtually new computer do such a thing?

Thanks
Art



figmentPez -> RE: Strange computer behavior (5/23/2008 3:01:05 PM)

Well, there are a lot of things that can do that:

  • Faulty Hardware
  • Driver problems
  • Malware (virus, spyware, adware, etc.)
  • Program crash
  • Power problems (brown-out, surge, etc. More a desktop issue, than laptop.)
  • Cosmic radiation (seriously, if it flips precisely the wrong bit...)

    If it doesn't happen again, it's probably nothing to worry about.

    If it does happen again, then is the time to try and start checking things out. Run virus and spyware scans. Check for driver and firmware updates from your PC maker. Check for updates to programs you've been using. Steps beyond that will depend on your technical ability.

    Also, most power buttons will still power off a PC if you hold them for 5-10 seconds, even if everything is locked up pretty hard. Might be something to try before unplugging, if you didn't before.



    • MWD -> RE: Strange computer behavior (5/23/2008 7:20:47 PM)

    D530 is a laptop, yes?

    Were you running it on a surface that was obstructing the vents?

    Did you hear the fan kick on when the search was in progress? Have you EVER heard the fan kick on?

    My guess is overheating.

    If there is power-management software on the system, you could fire that up and try dropping the CPU speed for the various power scenarios (minimallly: AC power, and battery power).

    Can't remember what brand laptop it was, but there were all kinds of complaints about overheating, the manufacturer was unresponsive, so most of the users just resigned themselves to kicking the CPU speed down a couple of notches.



    w4tvq -> RE: Strange computer behavior (5/24/2008 8:25:29 AM)

    Thanks for the tips. It hasn't happened again so far, so I'll hold my breath and hope it doesn't.

    Dell D530 is a PC, so the laptop problem solutions probably don't apply.

    thanks again, friends.

    Shalom
    Art



    psaulm119 -> RE: Strange computer behavior (5/24/2008 12:39:52 PM)

    The only times this happend on our Dell desktop was when I was thinking that the standby-hibernate settings might actually work on it. They never did, and I just stopped trying to put the computer into standby. Are your power settings set to put the computer into standby, sleep, or hibernation after x minutes of inactivity? That might be it. If you do want some power-saving mechanism, you can have your monitor go into power-saving mode after x mins of inactivity. A flick of the mouse brings it back--its supposed to be the biggest power consumer in the system.



    spiritchsr1 -> RE: Strange computer behavior (5/25/2008 8:53:39 PM)

    sometimes when to many programs are running in the backround the computer kind of freeks out and does exactly what you described. Your processor can only process so much information at a time.

    This problem also happens if you have one to many spyware programs running or one or more anti virus programs running all at the same time. This happened to me awhile back. I had to turn the machine off and on and unplug it and do a cold start. Then I had to start deleting one unnecessary program after another. Finally I got the computer to work properly and haven't had a problem since.

    Spiritchsr1



    smallfurrydog2003 -> RE: Strange computer behavior (6/7/2008 7:36:52 AM)

    sounds like you might be having problems with the power control feature. Setting the computer to 'hibernate' or even 'standby' can sometimes cause the computer to go funky and deactivate certain key functions. Had the same problem, and after getting tired of having to physically pull the power on the comp I fiddled with the power saver settings (turned everything to never except for the monitor) and no problems after that.



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