Pavilion Media Center m8200n black screen and freezing

[Big_Dave]

The EVGA NVIDIA 240 GT 1GB DDR5 will work with a 350 watt power supply if the 12+ amperage matches the requirements specified by the card.

Here is a list of things to try if your PC is slow:

1. Download cookienator (it's a freebie) and clean house.
2. Open my Computer and right mouse click on the hard drive --> properties --> Disk cleanup
3. Start Internet Exployer --> Tools--> Internet Option --> delete browsing history
4. Open my Computer and right mouse click on the hard drive --> properties --> Tools --> Defrag now
5. Open my Computer and right mouse click on the hard drive --> properties --> Tools --> Check now
6. Open the RUN Window and enter the following commands:

          cmd

          sfc/scannow --------> this will verify your critical system files and attempt repairs

          exit

7. Open the RUN Window and enter the following command: chkdsk

8. Reboot and see how things go.

If you are running VISTA, be sure that you are on service pack 2.

[LovethisPC]

Thanks so much.   I've actually done some of those things but will certainly try those I haven't.  Hopefully all of this will make a difference.

[pkravets]

@LovethisPC

To answer your question...

This systems comes with 300wt PSU which is just enough to run the system as it is,  as it came to you from the store.  Once you start adding more devices to it, it will start consumming more power then your PSU can give. 

Therefore if you are planning to add a video card + Wireless NIC.   Consider removing the cards you dont use.  The encoder card (next slot to PCI-x slot) + modem.  I had no use for them, so I removed them.

Thus, saved power consumption might be enough for your PSU to handle the 2 additional cards.

If you do what I just said, given the low power consumption by EVGA GT240 your existing PSU should be handle it, without purchasing new PSU.

But if your system becomes unstable, then consider replacing the PSU for a more powerfull one.

As I suggested all the way at the end of my comment.  That will solve your problems once and for all.

But as I understand now your system is stable.  No hang ups, no freezes.  Which is a good news to all of us.

[LovethisPC]

Thanks to your encouragement that this thing could actually be fixed, I've replaced the video card, added a USB wireless and cleaned out even more than I did before any background stuff etc. and I'm happy to report that it's working great, faster than ever and I've tried everything to challenge it and so far, it's holding up fine.  I guess time will tell but maybe I'm just one of the lucky ones and finally have my answer.  I sure hope so.  Thanks again!!!!  

[Big_Dave]

LovethisPC,

Good show!

[Wheelman01940]

Sounds like my issues are those set out here ... I get the old blue screen with the system boot, restore and restart option but, nothing happens, it's frozen ... it is very unstable ... tried to recover, tried to restore, had my restore disks fail and needed to buy a set from HP.  My problems starting within the last three months ... maybe my office is less dusty than some.

Question ... is compressed air sufficient to clean it out or do I really need to unseat and reseat all possible components ... I ask because I have never done such a thing ... only added cards, drives, and memory ...

thanks,

[GeekyMom]

If u can see the heat sink, is there dust on it? I live in FL and sadly, it's a very dusty state. I have to clean the heat sink at least once a year. Have found it better to remove heat sink, clean it and cpu WELL and use Artic Silver thermal before reseating heat sink. FOLLOW the directions EXACTLY so u do not use too much Artic Silver. A little goes a long way.

[DIYRBBob]

---

Wheelman01940 wrote:

Question ... is compressed air sufficient to clean it out or do I really need to unseat and reseat all possible components ... I ask because I have never done such a thing ... only added cards, drives, and memory ...

---

I used a can of compressed air (3 for $10 at Fry's), and it worked fine.  It blew out all the dust packed in the motherboard cooling fan way in the back.  It wasn't necessary to disassemble the PC beyond the side panel to reach all the hidden corners.  Though I also used a dust buster to suck up the dust at the same time to prevent the it from just getting blown from one corner to another.  Follow the directions on the can to prevent blowing liquids in the can onto your hardware.

Oh, and thanks to everyone on this topic for your help.  I just needed to blow out the dust and replace the video card to get it running like new for my needs.

[jebinks]

Thank you all for your posts!  I have been experiencing the exact same symptoms as everyone else with the Pavilion m8200n.  Mine started about 2 years and 6 mos after purchase.  I have already taken the cover off and cleaned the fans but I will definitely use the compressed air as suggested.  Then I 'll go from there with the other suggestions.  Will keep everyone posted on progress.

[segue00]

Had the same problem. This is what I did that fixed it:

Used the HP native hardware diagnostics and everything checked out fine, but the HP m8200n was still crashing during normal use especially during shutdowns, re-starts, heavy processing and switching users procedures.

Thinking that Windows Vista was corrupted, I re-installed it. Still crashes.

Next steps I did:

1) Dusted off the inside with air and vacuum, no go.

2) Removed the first 512 ram in slot 1 nearest the processor fan, worked fine.

3) Removed second 512 ram in slot 2, worked fine.

4) Replaced first 512 ram from slot 1 to slot 2, worked fine.

My m8200n works as long as I leave slot 1 open.

Conclusion: It may be one of your ram slots if it's not the memory.

Suggestion: Try going  through a process of elimination to determine whether which of your ram memory or your ram slots is causing the BSOD's.

Good luck, y'all.