How to tell if my PC is dying

[Svalbard12]

So I've posted before about my PC's problems

http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-2964270/computer-freezing.html

And I'm just wondering if the problem could be simply that my computer is dying out on me. So, what I'm asking is how do I figure out of it's a software problem, a virus problem or a harddrive problem?

(So sorry if this isn't the right thread, like I said in the other thread, not a tech expert.)

 

[Gingerbread]

Format the pc, install freah windows, if it still freezes then it's dying. Also your whole pc won't die together most likely. Just a part or two.

 

[_Blink]

The easiest way to eliminate software as being the issue is to format your PC.
Then see if it runs fine on a clean install.

If it still freezes from a fresh install, then you have hardware issues.
You could also do this as a small test
1. Press Start + R
2. Type: msconfig
3. Go to tab called: startup
4. Disable everything.

See if it still freezes up, then you know one of the startup applications was causing it.

As far as the hardware goes, if you have two or more stick of ram remove all but one, and put in a different one every time to test them.

Try removing your graphics card, (if you have on-board graphics).

If you can eliminate hardware like this you'll be able to pin-point the problem.
"not graphics card, not ram, could be Motherboard or power supply."

This will also prevent you from buying an entire new pc.

 

[nitrium]

Computer's don't "die" as such. Components can fail, but that is usually just a single component from the total (and even then, actually highly unusual). Most likely you have problems with your Windows install and/or drivers that don't work (e.g. Creative's audio drivers are pretty much guaranteed to give system instability, but there are other notorious drivers out there for other 3rd party peripherals). I'd start by reformatting your boot drive, and installing Win 10 (or 7 if you must) and see if your instability persists.

 

[smorizio]

also download hardware info 64 bit and check your power supply rail voltages make sure they stay within atx spec. use hdtune read the hard drive smart info to see if the drive is going bad. memtest86 run it on each stick over night.