What is a Practical Remedy to Computer Deadlocks

[RobertX]

One of my computers has Windows 2000, and ends up happening is that when I load a game, namely Diablo II, the game would freeze.

This isn't a simple stop error (a.k.a. Blue Screen of Death), the computer would just stop operating; no mouse movement, no keyboard reaction, no Control, Alt, Delete. I had to put the power button hard to shut it off and put it back on. And then when I load Diablo II again, it does the same thing.

This is what they call "deadlock." Has anyone here experienced this?

When I Googled, the explanation I got was that it is the result of drivers or code coinciding with each other. I have had this problem before, but I don't know how I got rid of the problem. How did you guys do it? When I see the word "driver," I get the idea that updating my drivers seems to be a good one. What do you think?

Getting desperate.

[RodneyYouPlonker]

Probably too hot.

[RobertX]

Be specific; what is "too hot?"

EDIT: I guess the first step to take is to replace my power supply; can't be the CPU since I replaced it around two years ago, and before that, I had it more than nine years solid running.

[RodneyYouPlonker]

Just make sure all the cooling is turned up to maximum otherwise your system will lock up that way.

[anonemoose]

If your cpu got hot it could shut down, do it too many times and it getsflaky. My Asus mother board burned two CPU and 3 memory sims.

Make sure your fans are clean and turning. There are several CPU testers out there, I used one that 'tried' to over heat the CPU as a test - it worked. Did you put enough heat compound on your cpu? It could also be memory - try a memory test program. Might want to check the logs to see what was running when it died.

If it ever worked and you did no updates, then I'd say it is a hardware/heat issue.

[RodneyYouPlonker]

You really do need to watch the temps inside your PC Robert, make sure that especially the CPU is not overheating.  Some people when they start messing around with their computers, they forget to set all the fan speeds properly in the bios and they forget that when they have Windows running and they are playing games that they don't allow the fans to spin up properly like they should be.  I hope that you have plenty fans in operation and that you have good cooling like cool air coming into the front of your PC and then passing through the motherboard and then blowing the hot air out of the back through the exhaust fan.  It should all flow in a direction in the same way.  Also make sure you have your PSU fan pointing down and not pointing up into your computer.  I know that a lot of people do that and they put their PSU in the wrong way around.  It should point down really and then blow the heat out of the bottom of the case.  Blowing hot air up into the PC from the PSU is not really advisable.

[RobertX]

Thanks, guys. For those who want to offer their advice right now, please offer them.

I'll turn to the CPU at last resort. The reason is that I don't want to doing something stupid to the CPU and end up not being able to replace it. That almost happened two to three years ago, and I was lucky to get the right replacement. You see, my CPU is a Pentium IV Northwood (which fits on a Socket 478), and the heatsink fan, when attached to the CPU, doesn't come out unless I forcefully take it out. I was lucky to be able to replace it. Besides, I put a fair amount of thermal grease the last time I replaced it.

However, I have every reason to replace the PSU. Just a few months ago, it started making noise (even when it's not doing anything) and now that my computer is not firing its hardware, I would say that it's the PSU's fault, even if I'm not spot-on about that assessment. I am planning to replace it. I know, I know, it's a stab in the dark, but it's an option I didn't turn to yet.

I replaced the HDD because since the last outage, which was last week, it died.

After replacing the PSU, my next move is to install updated drivers for the hardware on computer, not the same ones that came packed with the hardware.

After that, I will replace the RAM. And then, only when it's deemed necessary, and, at the same time, doable, I will then take a look at the CPU and see what the fucking problem was with it. You see, I am very, very, wary and reluctant to turn to that option, so it's last resort.

OK, thanks to RodneyYouPlonker and anonemoose for the help. I shall certainly available myself to you when I need more help.

EDIT: I would look at a CPU stress tester, but which one? Most of the CPU temperature software doesn't show anything! I used Core Temp.

[dueda]

Did you try other copies of Diablo II ?

If so, try running it with the PC case open and an chilling air conditioner blowing directly over the motherboard. Or try to run it in front of your refrigerator/freezer (door open). I did that once and got good results. Problem was both a bad PSU and poor soldering on some spots; most hardware isn't cut for tropical summers.

[RobertX]

No I didn't, but I tried the same copy of Diablo II on another computer (actually, it's this one, the one that's used by me and not the other one).

Thanks anyways.

EDIT: FYI, the unfortunate computer is a 15 year-old Intel mother board, made by Intel, with model D865Perl ATX form factor, now very discontinued.

[waregim]

This machine isnt much younger, and it is from choice, as the XD bit function is still purely optional at this stage (not present in yours - which means its free from a general hack attack).

It does sound like an overheat problem, especially as it manifests itself mainly on a game. My solution here is to open the case and put a table fan on it facing towards the front (or back). But first clean out your heat sink, and pull any dust out of the PSU vents. I use a regular air compressor for that. But it can be done with a paperclip and *time*.

If you can get SPEEDFAN to work it may give you the CPU and HD temps.

PCs are notorious for piss poor thermal engineering. I have my main hard drives *outside* my machine and put my own fan on my 6504 C2D. None of my machines have side covers on.

Hard drives can also overheat, though the old ATA drives were pretty tolerant. SATA is a real b!tch with heat, and some *will* drop dead quickly without a fan (particularly the ones designed for servers). I have seen one go to 140 F with just a file transfer.

Games are probably the most stressful for systems, especially CPUs. My CPU(s) is now 111F but will easily reach 150F when compiling a kernel (I rarely play games). At 160F all bets are off, and most are programmed for thermal shutdown.

Graphics card will also freeze a system around the 160F mark. I have one with a hinky GPU fan.

Be very careful with heatsink grease. It should be applied as a very *thin* layer with a razor blade. Excess will cause problems as readily as too little. Wash thoroughly after handling as it is quite toxic.

Doublecheck for BIOS updates to both Mobo and GPU chip. Might want to try something like:
https://thepiratebay.org/torrent/5292359...al_Drivers

There is also another open source util, which is about 18Gb these days, which seems to work well with win systems, but cannot remember the name (Snappy?).