[nickdunlop]

Windows ME.164 RAM..Will not run for long without freezing.Cannot Scandisk or Defrag.without freezing.Have to press Ctrl-Alt-Delete which will sometimes restart PC(WHICH HAS JUST HAPPENED),but usually have to Re-Boot.I am sure this is a hardware problem,and has been with me for months.Thanks for any suggestions.NickD.

 

[Triple6]

Try testing the RAM and hard drive. These diagnostics need to be downloaded to your hard drive first then run to make the bootable floppy.

Memory:
http://oca.microsoft.com/en/windiag.asp

Hard Drive:
http://www.maxtor.com/en/support/downloads/powermax.htm

 

[nickdunlop]

Many thanks Triple6

 

[darkdelta]

I helped a friend with a similar problem. I opened up his case and saw the CPU fan had a considerable amount of dust around it, after using the vacuum cleaner his instability problem vanished. Just a thought.

 

[Wet Chicken]

Originally posted by darkdelta:
the CPU fan had a considerable amount of dust around it

Yeah this can also happen with a bad fan, or when the wrong OS is installed with the wrong CPU. The issue is caused by heat

 

[dustyjay]

You used a Vacuum inside the computer case? Talk about one of the worst static electricity generators in the world. If you got away with it this time you were really lucky. An even close miss near the wrong thing can cause a static discharge that could render the computer a door stop or anchor. Suggest using nothing but compressed air next time.