computer crash

[jaloganjr]

This is a desperate cry for HELP! My computer goes through periods of crashing which lock up my keyboard and force me to repeatedly unplug and replug my keyboard, reboot my computer and/OR shut down a restart. I do not think it is my fan after troubleshooting for that. It seems to be either a virus, spyware or competing software problem. I am at a loss as how to fix it.
I have tried to uninstall many spyware, etc programs leaving only the Microsoft package 2 for windows XP home edition. Often this goes on for days until finally it settles down and I can leave the computer on for several weeks without problems and then the nightmare begins again.
Anybody have any real, educated guess as to what the problem is and how to fix it?
I will send some nice CDs to anyone who can help.

[bigH2O]

Do you have a UPS on the power source for the PC? Often times a low voltage, buck and boost, or brownout conditions will cause your computer to freak out. From your description of it running fine for weeks and then wigging out on you, that would be the first thing I would suspect. Get a UPS and put it between the wall and the PC and see if that helps. If not, get back to us

[vantim]

Is it locking up your keyboard? or is it locking up windows? Can you click on stuff with your mouse? It's not wise to pull the plug on your computer (man that can cause alot of damage) To shut it off without doing that hold in your power switch for 4 to 5 seconds and the computer will power down. Every time you unplug your power cord you are sending jolts of power into the motherboard and are crashing your hard drives. You're gonna end up with a slew of hardware problems.

If windows is locking up then follow these steps. Go into the control panel and double click on the system icon. Go to the startup tab and uncheck any software that doesn't need to start when windows does. (including antivirus) then reboot your computer. If the lock up goes away (and it probably will) then go back to that start up tab and recheck the programs one at a time and reboot after each one until the problem returns. Once it does then you know the program causing your problems.

The other possibility is a piece of failing hardware. If you are comfortable cracking open your case, you can remove non essential hardware, such as modems, network cards, sound cards. All you need to boot your computer is the motherboard, video card, ram, and hard drives. If all your hardware is built in and cannot be removed you can go into the bios and shut off most of it. Once again, do this one at a time and reboot (make sure your computer is turned off and unplugged before you physically remove any hardware). The other best bet is that your power supply is failing. ( that is the metal box the power cord plugs into.) If your computer is more than 2 or 3 years old then I would probably replace this first. they are pretty easy to replace.

If it's just your keyboard locking up and not everything else then>>>

You could have a malfunctioning keyboard. Is this a USB or a PS/2 style keyboard?

If it's USB, make sure you have all the latest drivers installed for your usb and keyboard installed.

If it's PS/2 try another keyboard or get a usb keyboard.

I've never seen spyware or viruses disable a keyboard before. Usually when a keyboard gives you problems it's the keyboard itself causing it.

I try to give facts not just educated guesses. The key to solving computer problems is to find the cause. Start where the problem begins, that's usually your best bet.