I have 3 computers. The computer that got a BSOD from a virus and required activation is different than the computer that continually freezes. Because my activation problem was solved here I decided to post my freezing problems as well. I am most concerned about this freezing problem, because I bought this laptop about two years ago, new. It also has more space on the hard drive than my other computers and is significantly faster.
I actually think now that the problem could be with an audio driver because the audio drivers, although not flagged in device manager as having a problem, does not work. I know this because I cannot hear any sound and when I go to sound and audio devices in control panel, it says, "no audio devices."
For clarification here are the order of events,
1. I installed the BIOS on the Dell Drivers and Downloads page
2. About 30 minutes later, while I was watching a Youtube video, the computer froze and made beeping noises
3. I restarted the computer by holding the power button and proceeded to use the computer. The audio crackled during my use. When the computer crashed 3 more times, I decided to wait until tommorow.
4. The next day the computer continued freezing, so I installed a bunch of other drivers on said Dell page
5. Computer crashes became worse and the audio no longer worked
6. I performed several methods in an attempt to fix the computer, including reformatting the hard drive, reinstalling the new BIOS, removing a bunch of files and programs, and installing windows xp sp3
7. The computer continues crashing at a higher frequency espescially right after installing xp sp3
8. While my brother was using a different computer, he got a virus which caused the computer to get the BSOD and verification problems. But these problems were resolved and that computer no longer has any problems. I also learned how to remove anti-virus pro, so I was able to help another member.
9. I post the freezing problem on TS
10. I was instructed to perform a S.M.A.R.T test and hard drive test, as instructed by another member, and found no problems.
11. I install hijack this and posted this log in a new topic to check whether the problem might be a virus
All this occurred in a period of about 2 weeks