Keyboard/mouse freeze up
 

This problem is driving me mad!! I've had the problem previously but only for a short time. Usually if I do a "disk defragment" it cures it. But now it regularly happens. I use the computer for about 20 mins, doesn't seem to matter what programme I am in and the mouse freezes and the keyboard is totally frozen out also - the only remedy is to turn the computer off and on again.
Can anyone help? Ppleeeaase....?
My knowledge of computers is very small indeed so any replies that don't lose me in the the first 5 words will be very much appreciated.
My computer has lots of spare capacity even though its fairly old (Celeron 333).
Running Win 98, Office 2000, IE 5.

What sort of activity are you doing during these sessions? That is, how many programs running at once and what are they?

I suspect a resource hog. What do the gurus think?

AA

Sadly I cannot help, because I have EXACTLY the same problem and cannot fix it, so will follow the replies with great interest...

"lame"

A couple of previous threads here if you go back, GF.
My problems are in IE5.5 either on or off-line, it appears to produce a mirrored bottom line of the page text as it locks up. Normally caused when scrolling using side bar or keyboard page keys. Reckon there must be some graphics conflict but it is well beyond me! Nothing found on MS Tech help, but haven't had time to try usenets and the like. I now use 'end' key to get to the bottom rather than paging/mouse scrolling and it has reduced the occurrences.

On/off switch getting a lot of use!

[This message has been edited by BOAC (edited 08 April 2001).]

A neighbour of mine had a problem with her mouse just randomly failing to work. We re-installed the software for the mouse and the O/S with no improvement and were starting to looking at the options of a new mouse or a new motherboard - it was a newish computer.

Anyways, we swapped PS/2 mice. Both continued to work without any problems. We switched them back a few weeks ago and the old problem returned!

Try another mouse.

------------------
It's not easy having fun; even smiling makes my face hurt.

There I was typing my reply and my keyboard froze. Damn! I don't think it can be mouse related because both mouse and keyboard freeze up together. My "end" key doesn't seem to do anything. Sometimes it freezes when on the net, with IE 5 only open, perhaps Outlook Express too sometimes. But its also frozen when using Word.
And also a couple of times when downloading something from the internet, part way through just froze.
A large beer to anyone who can help me!

Hi GF.

I HAVE seen the problem and the foregoing WAS the answer. Worth a try.

If you are NOT using USB. Check that the keyboard and mouse connections in their respective ports are actually IN their respective ports. It is so simple it can be missed.

The ports are marked Keyboard and Mouse but they can be the same fit and it is dead easy to put them in the wrong port!

The problem you are encountering could be caused by this.

Worth a try!

IFR

Have a look in device manager and see if there are any conflicts shown, it could be that something is trying to use the same IRQ as the keyboard and/or mouse. try using the system for a similar time without the mouse plugged in, use keyboard shortcuts etc, if it happens after a certain amount of time it could be a motherboard problem.
Have you installed any new hardware or software recently?

Granddad Flyer..........

Are you using Mcafee anti virus by any chance?

Regards
FBW

PS And is anyone else who is experiencing the same problem using Mcafee?

Yes, I am, why ???????

(Have McAfee Activeshield running all the time, through McAfee Clinic membership).

Disable Mcafee and the problem is no longer present. I was also getting "fatal exception" messages, these have also disapeared since turning off Mcafee, also my computer is running a lot quicker. I'm no computer expert but I think it has to be more than coincidence.
Regards
FBW
PS Let me know how you get on...thanks.

If you disable Mcafee you will find that the problem goes away. I also had a problem with "fatal exception" messages, this has also stopped since disabling Mcafee. I'm no computer expert but it would seem to be more than coincidence.
Regards
FBW
PS Let me know how you get on...thanks.

FBW,

Thank you. I am very reluctant to disable McAfee, as it is the only antivirus programme I have, and have always found it excellent. Ran a check from their Clinic site and it says all software is okay?

It sometimes doesn't happen for days, had the computer on line yesterday for over 12 hours with no problems, other days it does freeze up within minutes of turning it on, also sometimes do get the fatal exception. I have had McAfee for years and never had all these problems until fairly recently, what it might be???? is the McAfee is not as compatable with IE5.5, lots of programmes aren't apparently, might try going back to IE5.1 rather than disabling McAfee???

Best regards,

"lame"

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Testing (posts not appearing)

It could be the graphics card overheating, check the heatsink and/or fan is working or hasn't fallen off. Also if you can get the latest drivers for it.

Thank you, in my case anyway, I do have all the latest drivers, also as I said some days lately I have had the computer on and on line continuously for 12 hours or more with no problems, the days when it plays up it does so within a few minutes of start up, so don't think it could be an overheating problem?

Same here, latest drivers installed. I have come to the conclussion that it is a compatability problem with IE 5.5 as it has only started happening since 5.5 was installed. I've done all the obvious things like re-installing 5.5 and windows, to no avail. The only thing that makes my computer run O.K. is to turn Mcafee off.
Regards
FBW

WHEN YOU "UPGRADED" TO 5.5 DID YOUR ANTI VIRUS PROG STILL TRY TO CHECK EMAILS?

Computer performed perfectly yesterday for some 11 hours, this morning after going on line had a fatal exception after only a few minutes.

I do NOT want to get rid of McAfee, so I have gone the other way, removed IE 5.5 and gone back to previous IE 5.1, all seems okay so far?