Constant freezes (and recovery after 5-10 minutes)

[Manco Capac]

Hello guys,
my main troobleshooting is my whole computer lags after few hours following booting.
At some point, when a bit demanding in memory, then randomly my computer freezes for 5 minutes to 10 minutes. I knew from the very beginning my new graphic card was too strong for my computer, but the troubleshooting came way after the installation of my newer graphic card.

First, specs:

Operating System: Windows Vista Home Premium SP2
Hardware: Gateway , model GT5634H
CPU Processor: Intel dual core
Processor speed: 2.2 GHz
Memory: 3 GB at first, then expanded to max 4 GB *
First Video Card: Geforce 8500GT
Newest Video Card: Geforce 220GT
System Type: 32 bit.

*I do think my expanded memory didn't work because my Direct X diag. program still says 3198 MB of Ram. Any solution? I did buy the card according to specs like considering important aspects like 667 MHz.

In the beginning of adding my newer video card, I saw the difference in efficiency but it was bearable, now just looking a video on youtube provokes the fan to run amok without corresponding high cpu.

Nonetheless, the aspect that bothers me too much are those random freezes and the fact, even though I added memory, my computer is lower quality than it was in the past. What to do?

I beg help, please. Any tips?
Moreover, saying Vista is crap won't help as it was useable to me at during the first half of its life.

Thanks.

 

[Manco Capac]

No replies...
I expected it from the beginning.

 

[AgedOne]

Tachy.
Just a few thoughts, from an old guy who's put a few PCs together in his time.

1. Your 32-bit Windows cannot recognise more than 3.58 Gb of memory. However, if it still says 3 Gb then maybe the bios is limited (some are, but can usually be upgraded)

2. Your Gateway comes with a 300w power supply, which is pretty tiny. It should be able to support your GT220, but only just. If there is anything flakey about your PSU - and many are - it will fail to deliver enough power on one of the rails at crucial moments and that's when the whole thing crashes usually.

3. Fitting the other memory stick will have had a small additional drain on the power, too.

4. Have you checked that the CPU cooler is free from dust and fluff? I have found these totally clogged after a few months - leading to it spinning up the fan to max all the time in an effort to cool the poor thing.

Of course, there could be other reasons that couldn't be sorted out without swapping in and out other components. There could be a fault with your graphics card, PSU, or memory - but I wouldn't assume that until everything else has been eliminated.

Or then, it could be software! But check out the obvious first, I would say.