I am using a Pentium 4 computer (256 MB RAM) with windows 2000 service pack 4 installed in it. While using Internet through a cable braodband modem, the computer sometimes freezes completely. It no more responds to any keystroke or any left/ right mouse click. I then have to restart the computer to be able to use it again. I have noticed it happened once or twice when I entered some text in the Google search box and pressed the enter key. Has anybody experienced this problem and know how to resolve this? Has it got anything to do with the virtual memory of the computer?

Nik, be careful where you post next time. You posted this in the Windows Tutorial section. Make sure you post in the Windows help section instead (which I just moved over to here).

Did you install anything recently before this freezing problem began? Does it always happen when you go online? Restart your computer now and go online immediately to see if it freezes. Does it ever freeze when you are not online?

Try running some spyware scans to see if they find anything:

http://www.greyknight17.com/spyware.php

spyware scan like said before and make sure you have the latest updates for windows and IE.

Years ago, I had to work on a computer with NT4 and it had a similar problem (it also froze for 5 minutes after loging in and then started working). It had something to do with a corrupted service, but unfortunately, I don't know wich service it was. Maybe checking the windows logs may reveal something (you can find them in the system management).

It is highly recommended for you to get more RAM and upgrade to Windows XP the very least as Windows 2000 is NO longer supported.

It could be a faulty memory module installed into your computer. I know this from experience when I purchased 1 GB of RAM and it completely stalled my computer when doing menial tasks such as web browsing.

Please also check that you don't have a faulty hard drive. Sometimes a faulty hard drive will cause your system to completely lock up and potentially could even issue you a BSoD.

xboxrulz

Thanks for your suggestions. It hasn't happened in the last 2 days. If the system freezes again I will check the system log and try to find out if there is any clue.

I was also thinking I should increase the minimum virtual memory space. I believe this should stop displaying a warning message about of the lack of virtual memory in the system.

If it's RAM that's insufficient, then you should add more.

I've never filled up my RAM on Windows before, but on Linux, it starts killing the program that uses the most memory until there's enough memory from completely crashing the system.

xboxrulz

Hi, I am a Computer Eng. and a specialist on these things my self, here is what u do,

1.
Install a antivirus and add aware( u can use Kasperskys free version 6.2 and its worlds no 2 antivirus)
Full scan your PC, its probably the JDNGER Torjan/ Virus. if its dosent let you scan or still same problem then

2
-Uninstall 2000 and reinstall it( TRY WIN XP PRO with SP 2 its better)
-Enable Windows Firewall, and Autoupdates,
-Use firefox
- Try using an antivirus and also ad an fire wall is nessecery.
- dont install etc things from un trusted sites, eg, porn or unknown crack, etc

why my computer just stops displaying on my screen.
System Stops Responding

I'm having a big problem with my computer, its just makes a certain sound while its working and suddenly stops displaying. And somtimes restarts its self. I have formated my computer two times and reserted my motherboard but its still continues with the problem. Its a penium 4, 3.2GB processor, 512ram ddr2. Please help me, and tell me where is the problem realy.

You can reply back to my e-mail address.



Thank you



-question by Nzuzo Zungu

I am also voting for faulty RAM. I have seen it happen in my own system. You can use a free utility from Microsoft called Windows Memory Diagnostic (http://oca.microsoft.com/en/windiag.asp) which does a good job. You may also want to check the cooling of your system because sometimes heat can cause a lockup.

P.S. It is an older computer so is could also just be choking on some webpage scripting.

Check your RAM, though I doubt this is your problem.
If it turns up bad sectors on your RAM then consider yourself lucky-- but hearing your computer make noises does not usually implicate RAM as the culprit.



Also doubt that this would cause the entire system to lock up, rather than just cause IE or Mozilla to crash.

If your computer is making 'noises' as you put it, please describe them in detail.

If you are hearing a grinding/clanking/rattling noise, this is most likely your hard-drive-- it needs to be replaced if this is the case, I would back up any important files immediately, just incase.

If you are hearing a sizzling/popping noise I would lean more to it being related to the cooling system, you should check first that your power supply is working (use a voltmeter, or hell, some of them have lights now when everything is running A-ok, though I wouldn't take that all the way to the bank), then check your motherboard for obvious damage (sometimes heat damage is invisible-- sometimes not), if everything checks out and this doesn't isolate your issue; I would let my computer run open for a few days, so I could hear/see if the problem presented itself again. Sometimes fan blades can clip wires that fall into them, which makes a noise and would probably cause some issues depending on which wire and if it was severed or not.

Also sometimes CPUs get too hot, if this is the case consider a new heat sink or applying some of the cooling gel (I believe this is actually silver nitrate or something akin to this).

Regards,
the Doc.