Strange lock-up issues

[jubalskeiki]

I am not really sure where this goes, so I'll just guess at a forum and if it needs moving it can (sorry about that, not trying to create extra work for the mods).

I've been having issues with my computer for awhile now. It will just randomly lock-up on me. Sometimes the computer doesn't lock-up but the display will just kaput. I am not sure if these are related issues or not. I just replaced my video card a couple of months ago. I have re-installed all of my display software. I had read that it might have been weird codec issues so I have done my best to clean up my codecs.

I have thought about just reinstalling, but have been hesitant to do so because I am trying to preserve this install. I had a hard drive die and my profile was set to private so all of my files on that drive (which I had accidently mapped the root as my documents folder VS a folder on the drive) appear to be gone, but the file needed to decrypt them is on this drive and if I can ever get the files recovered I am afraid for them to do it they'd need the file. Unless I am completely off-base in my understanding of this. The XP encryption works by saving an encryption key in a system file which can be exported.

Is there something else I can try besides wiping everything and starting over? I guess my biggest fear is I'll do this and then it won't make a difference and I'll have wiped out any chance of recovering irreplaceable pictures (which I thought I had a backup of, but apparently not).

 

[heatlesssun]

Can you not decrypt the files on XP before you back them up? The display just turns off and the computer is still running?

 

[jubalskeiki]

I can't access the HD at all right now. When I plug it in the computer slows down to a crawl, as if all of the CPU/RAM is being used. When I am finally able to open my computer the drive displays as if none of the space has been used (but this is normal for files encrypted under XP). Something strange happened and I ended up creating a sub-profile...it's the same name but is like jubalskeikie.000343545 or something.

Sometimes that is what happens...for example I'll be watching a movie and the screen will go dark like the screen saver is coming on, but then it doesn't and moving the mouse doesn't wake it up. Sometimes the computer will just plain freeze. It will start making a skipping sound..like a CD with a scratch...really rapid. Sometimes the computer will freeze for a few seconds then sound will go on, but then the display will disappear. Sometimes the computer will start to pretend like it is going to freeze and the sound will skip for a half-second and then pick back up and everything is normal.

 

[devil22]

Computer specs?

Have you tried the usual stuff? Testing ram, upgrading drivers, installing OS updates, running an AV, disabling all programs and safe mode, etc?

 

[jubalskeiki]

I have done safe mode..it is really hard to test though because it is incredibly sporadic. I'll be fine for a month and then have a problem. I have tried different RAM as well as testing current stuff..it all checks out. System specs I have a biostar tforce550 MB, 1 GB of some off-brand RAM (I don't remember exactly what it was), an X2 5200, I believe it is a sapphire 4830 GPU (I know it is 4830, not sure about the brand).

One of the big problems I have run into with testing is how sporadic it is and how I can't trigger the error to see if it is working. I don't even have to be doing anything and it will just lock-up. Part of the reason I struggled with where to put this is I wasn't sure if it was hardware, software or OS related. Any of the three...or a combo could be the problem. I have tried testing in safe mode, problem is my computer is barely usable in safe mode and I can't (or at least really don't want to) run it in safe mode for a month to see if a problem occurs.