laptop frequently freezing up

Aidanmc

I have an issue with my laptop freezing up. I have noticed it a few times recently since changing some hardware components. Before this it was ok!


Laptop Dell Studio 1535 model PP33L
Recently changed, RAM upgrade to 4gb, 120gb Patriot Burst SSD, Windows 10 clean install and activated with key of ebay!
When it was previously working ok i had windows 10 installed on existing hard drive and RAM, and unactivated.


When it freezes nothing functions, keys, cursor, have to manually power off.
What could be the problem?
Thanks

arciere

Several things, many times you can only work by exclusion.

Overheating is often a problem with old laptops, but normally when it is an overheating issue the laptop shuts down or reboots, rather than freeze, so I would exclude that.

Since you said it started to happen after you upgraded the memory, it could be that the new memory has a different frequency than the old one: if you have both same and new, they might not be compatible with each other (simply remove one to test it). If it's only new memory, the chipset might not like it.

Also, if you take a look at the Event log, you can check if there is any entry at the exact time that the computer freezes. If it is a hardware problem causing the freeze, you won't find much there, but at least you can rule out software issues.

Is the new drive similar to the old one (i.e. HDD) or is it different (SSD upgrade)?

Aidanmc

Thanks for your response.
The Ram i changed was from 1 x 2GB + 1 x 1GB PC2-5300 to 2 x 2GB PC2-6400.
The original hard drive was HDD and i bought a new 120gb SSD to replace it.

No original data was transferred.

No other software or programs installed, just Windows 10.
I'm suspecting the Ram myself.


Edit, i have just been doing a bios diagnostic test and that seems to have froze too! Esc doesn't abort the test.

arciere

Aidanmc wrote: »

Edit, i have just been doing a bios diagnostic test and that seems to have froze too! Esc doesn't abort the test.

Ok good (in a way )

If you still have the old RAM, run the same test again with that and see. Don't wait until (and if) Windows freezes again, because you have been working with (allegedly) faulty memory, so errors could be due to the new memory messing up with system files.

That being said, your laptop should support 800 Mhz memory, so if it turns out it is the RAM, try a different brand.

mazz1953

Your laptop is a dual core and is at least 10 years old, so you need to consider a replacement. You can spend money upgrading it, but this would be wasted. The freezes and lockups will only get worse as time goes by.

arciere

mazz1953 wrote: »

Your laptop is a dual core and is at least 10 years old, so you need to consider a replacement. You can spend money upgrading it, but this would be wasted. The freezes and lockups will only get worse as time goes by.

Nonsense. In any case, he's already got the parts.

Aidanmc

arciere wrote: »

Ok good (in a way )

If you still have the old RAM, run the same test again with that and see. Don't wait until (and if) Windows freezes again, because you have been working with (allegedly) faulty memory, so errors could be due to the new memory messing up with system files.

That being said, your laptop should support 800 Mhz memory, so if it turns out it is the RAM, try a different brand.

I have put in the old ram again and currently running the diagnostic test from the bios menu. I couldn't remember which way around the ram was originally, ie the 2gb and 1gb.
Would it matter?

Aidanmc

mazz1953 wrote: »

Your laptop is a dual core and is at least 10 years old, so you need to consider a replacement. You can spend money upgrading it, but this would be wasted. The freezes and lockups will only get worse as time goes by.

Its not actually my main laptop, i got it give to me, so i will just have it as a back up machine.

arciere

Aidanmc wrote: »

I have put in the old ram again and currently running the diagnostic test from the bios menu. I couldn't remember which way around the ram was originally, ie the 2gb and 1gb.
Would it matter?

No, it will work just fine.

Aidanmc

Diagnostic test completed, no issues found.

Will see how it goes over the next few days, but looks like the RAM was the problem.
Thanks for your help.

EveryWhere

Aidanmc wrote: »

Diagnostic test completed, no issues found.

Will see how it goes over the next few days, but looks like the RAM was the problem.
Thanks for your help.

I know it not a lot of money, but if it turns out to be the RAM, find out which by testing them in the device one at a time.
Then get CEX to change it at their cost.