Serious PC Problem

[KaiserElectric]

My computer has suddenly been crashing in an unusual way. With no prompt from me, my computer is freezing with the screen turning a random shade of gray. The only way I can turn it off is to unplug it and plug it back in again. It has crashed twice right after I rebooted it. Can I get some help to pinpoint this?

 

[Cutlass]

First step, if you can get it running at all, back up all of your files. After that is loading up the windows disk and trying to repair windows. If that doesn't work you may need to reinstall. However it is also likely that you have a hardware failure. There are programs you can download off the net to check your RAM for a fault, and you should do that.

 

[Onionsoilder]

First step, if you can get it running at all, back up all of your files.

Do this immediately if you haven't already.

As for the problem, try what Cutlass suggested. If neither of those work, try contacting your computer manufacturer.

 

[GravityWave]

If you have Vista try scheduling the Memory Check tool, Goto: Control Panel - Administrative Tools - Memory Diagnostics Tool and click on Restart and Check for Problems.

Personally it sounds graphics cardy to me - try reinstalling the drivers.. though people might be able to help more if you posted some more info about your PC...

 

[Fëanor]

Sounds like either a virus or the monitor (or its cable) going bad.
I've had a similar problem with my laptop monitor (cable governing the colors broke but not the power cable so it gave its neutral color, grey).

Although installing software to monitor temperatures always helps since coolers are usually the first piece of hardware to break down.

But you definitely need to post more info, especially OS and graphics card.

 

[KaiserElectric]

Alright, I forgot about that. My system is a Windows Vista and I'm not sure about my graphics card, but I know it's higher than the card that it came with.

And to be specific, the PC is doing the wierd crash about a minute after it is done booting and it prompts me to select the account now.

 

[mdwh]

If it's a monitor or cable problem, then it shouldn't need a reboot of the computer to fix it(?) (i.e., does it fix it if you simply turn the monitor off/on?)

Alright, I forgot about that. My system is a Windows Vista and I'm not sure about my graphics card, but I know it's higher than the card that it came with.

Have these problems only started occurring since you upgraded the graphics card?

It could be a power supply issue - do you know how many watts yours is?

Overheating might be another issue - you can check the temperature with programs like Motherboard Monitor ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motherboard_Monitor ), and maybe try running your computer with the case off to see if it helps.

 

[KaiserElectric]

Overheating has been a problem with it before. That could be a problem. The graphics card came with the computer though, so that's not a problem.

I'm comepletely locked out now. The computer fails to boot the majority of the time, and when it does, it freezes and crashes within ten minutes of logging in. If it's broken I am really going to be ticked off, but hopefully it is fixable.

 

[illram]

As Cutlass suggested it's probably your RAM. In all my cases of weird random crashing/boot failures the RAM was usually the culprit.

 

[KaiserElectric]

Good news everyone. I went through all my drivers and computer components and uninstalled a lot of garbage and upgraded my video frives and such. It hasn't crashed for a few days now, which is good sign. Although now when I log into my account, it plays with my resolution settings, but that's tolerable. Thanks for all the help.