[lucyschmo]

For the past two weeks my computer VAIO VGN-CR190 running Vista Home Premium, 2 years old, has suddenly started freezing at random points. I had not made any hardware or software changes before it started. It is more likely to freeze when moved, but will freeze when not moved; when it freezes, the entire system is clearly dead (except the fan is still working), and I have to press the power button. Since then I have experimented. The computer does not freeze in safe mode; on occasion it will show the BSOD, but very rarely; the times when it freezes vary - sometimes it will freeze during startup, sometimes it will run for hours before freezing. I have also noticed that unless propped up at a certain angle, it will freeze during or just after startup, but when propped up it will run for at least a little time. Finally, as far as I can tell it only freezes when the hard drive is being accessed, and when it freezes the hard drive light goes out. Disk check shows no problems with the hard drive itself. My computer is under warranty, but before I send it back they insist on my performing a system recovery, which I don't really want to do if it can be solved without it, and if it's a hardware issue that isn't my hard drive I'd also like to avoid that.

Thanks for your help!

[lawson_jl]

A piece of software or driver is causing it to freeze. Since you checked it in safe mode and it runs fine you have a reasonable assurence that it's not a hardware issue.

1. Try updating your drivers and running windows update.
2. Check for and remove apps you don't need that are running in the back ground.
3. Disable your AV

Between thoses 4 things you should find a solution.

[joeten]

hi try starting with a clean boot http://support.microsoft.com/kb/331796

[Rich-M]

I would go "Run,msconfig,OK, Startup" and disable everything in startup. Then go into Windows and see if any freezes occur. If not slowly add entries back until you find the issue.

[lucyschmo]

I tried safe mode again, and this time I jostled the computer a bit, because that had been causing the freezing in normal mode. And sure enough, it froze. Could that possibly be a software issue? The hard drive seems to be working just fine, when it works - what else might be the problem?

[joeten]

hi i honestly think you may have a loose connection

[lucyschmo]

If that's my problem, is there anything I can do or should I send it back?

[joeten]

if it is under warranty you could try it