Memory Fragmentation

[Relyt]

Good Day Folks,

Seems I have been suffering from more that normal computer freeze-ups, 3 within a half hour. At first I thought it was a software issue with an OS, and since I dual boot two hdds, I just switched to Slack on the same hdd and shortly thereafter the computer froze up again.

Soft rebooted into setup and checked temps: CPU was 49C and System was 48C, all fans working fine with good air flow so heat doesn't appear to be an issue. Checked all voltages against the standards and they are all fine and dandy within a few hundredths. Memory display is normal. So I booted into SuSE 9.0 on hdd2 and googled for computer freezes (non-software type) and searched our forums.

And "Memory Fragmentation" was listed as a cause. Cure listed was to shut the computer all the way down, unplug it and then wait for awhile, plug it back in, then reboot. Rebooted back into the 1st hd and now it seems to be working fine. Didn't tell me much except now it appears to work.

The things I was doing at the time: Windows - Slim Browser on AO and Ice Chat on IRC for the first time. The second time on Linux - Xchat on IRC and Galeon on AO.

Guess the question is, has any one else experienced this and please elaborate on what it is. Also is it a symptom of memory going out?

Thanks much.

[nihil]

What are your hardware specifications?

Basically the problems are that programs run and do not release RAM when they close.

Systems resources are another issue.

You might try running a RAM defragmenter?

Cheers

[Spyder32]

On the Window's machine, run Disk Defragmenter, Disk Cleanup, and DriveSpace. That might help out with the freezing issue's. Try to get rid of whatever application's/services/etc you don't need or use.

[Relyt]

Good Day Spider32 & Nihil,

Problem went away after a complete shutdown, including removing the plug from the AC.

AuthenticAMD AMD Athlon(tm) XP processor 1900+
K7SEM Main Board
2 Box Fans & one CPU Fan, temps always around 48C
73% system resources free
21in X-Flat
350W PWR SUP

First HDD
C: Win98se 40gb
D: (Storage) 30gb
E: (Storage) 25gb
F: Slack 25gb

Second HDD:
XP: 30gb
SuSE 10gb

Memory: 512
56X CD Player
CDRW
2 Nics > Switch > old 500 box with Smoothwall

No Special Graphics or Sound Card (not a gamer so never got one)

Startup only includes the bare minimum and a firewall.

Was having this problem only occasionally before, so I did a complete cleanup included re-partitioning & format & fresh install of less software. Defragged after all software was installed. Run a batch every so often to get rid of stuff in the index.dat (as per my post on the interesting file thread ) I cleanup all the usual stuff everyother day (spybot, adaware, TDS-3, temps etc)

Well, shoot fire, I might as well give you address tooooo...lol

So I’ll start google for a ram defrag tool. Thanks mucho

[Relyt]

Additionally, could a mouse-going-bad, cause the freezes. On all occasions, the mouse was in motion (pointer moving) when the computer froze up. And, it happened on completely different OS's. Windows first, then Slack, then windows again.

cheers

[nihil]

Hi Relyt,

If it happens again, see if the numlock and capslock keys work (turn the keyboard lights on/off) that should tell you if you have properly frozen, or if it is just the mouse.

I use Ram Idle Pro and RamBooster as defragmentation/monitoring tools. (On different machines of course)

You did not say how much RAM you actually have.

Also worth a thought, what firewall and AV products are you running?

Cheers

EDIT: Another thing to check is that you have uninstalled any time expired trial software. I have seen freezes that appear to be caused by it trying to send you a nag screen, and getting into a "deadly embrace" with something else. But, as it seems to happen with more than one OS this is probably not your problem.

Are your two HDDs close together? I would look at installing a fan to cool them, your temperatures seem on the high side to me. I would run a surface scan to see if there are any errors detected. I have two 1900+ boxes and they are both running around 37-39C

[Relyt]

Nihil,

RAM is 512

The NumLock lights go out and all other keyboard functions went south.

ZA & AVG (used this combo for eons)

Completed a complete scan of both hdd and no errors detected.

Both Hdds are space about 4 inches apart in the tower with room. But hey, I can always put more fans in and see if that will lower the temps another 10C. I'll pull the cover off for awhile and see if that help as well.

The only software that is trial is TDS-3 and MIRC and both have not expired yet and when the nag screen comes up I'll buy them.

edit: It has happened on both Windows and Linux and only when I was moving the mouse. Which obviously doesnt mean the mouse caused it, but rather that a resource was being used.

Thanks

[Spyder32]

I used to have cooling/heating issue's as well, and I think you might have something similiar. Keep your room tempature slightly cooler than regular and maybe buy/add another fan for the tower. By making sure that's not an issue, you've just made freezing less likely to happen 35%.

[nihil]

Hi Relyt,

Well as far as I can see:

512Mb RAM should be OK. I don't think there is a problem with this, as defective RAM usually gives you boot-up problems, rather than freezes.

I don't know if your MoBo BIOS or other software supports it, but if you have the fan speed linked to temperature, turn it to full blast.

I have been running an XP1900 with WinXP Pro for a few hours now. I have a CPU temp of 40-41C and a system temp of 26C. Room temperature is 21.4 at the ceiling and 19.8 at the floor (laser-guided spot temperature meter)

So I guess you are a bit on the high side, but that could be your room temperature.........when you use air cooling, as we mostly do, your system temp will be relative to the ambient (air) temp.

Some further thoughts:

1. In BIOS, disable all power saving options, set it to on, all the time
2. Whilst you are there disable "hibernate"
3. In your display control, set screensaver to "none" (if you can, otherwise use the Windows default. Also disable the power saving options there as well.
4. Check that you are NOT overclocking your CPU and/or videocard.
5. Be careful of scheduled and "background" tasks, you don't want anything starting on its own.
6. Turn off ZA and AVG autoupdate/reminders (As a combo I have run them for a long time without problems just like you)

7. Try another mouse

Look for an "exhaust fan", these take up one of the expansion slots and lie flat, they get rid of 40-60 cfm of air out of your case. Cost around $5-10.

Please let us know how you get on.

[Relyt]

Good Day Nihil,

Well I read some of your previous posts about overheating and already completed most of your list. So kudos for that.

Since it froze on both windows and linux, we're definitely looking at a non-software issue. I've popped another mouse on that I know is good and I've got another fan I can install as well to get the temps down more. I'm going to reduce the load on the power supply by disconnecting the second hard disk and the second CD Player, just to see if the voltages changes at all. Could be a power supply issue. Just trying to narrow it down some more obviously. (Obviously I'll make the changes one at a time....lol)



Edit: Thanks Sypder and I have it in an air conditioned room with a good ceiling fan right over head, but like you said it could be a over-heating issue. So I'll put that additional fan on. Gunna be like a hurricane in there though...

Thanks for your continued assistance.