Ok, so I own the orange box, but haven't had TF2 installed for ages, last I did was just before they added the class stuff in. It worked fine then. I have been having problems with my machine (Abit IP35pro, Q6600 o'clocked @ 3.0ghz, 4gb Gskill RAM @ 1000mhz, 2x 500gb samsung spimpoints in RAID 0, Nvidia 8800GTS 512 factory O'clocked) freezing up, it just randomly locks up, could be in a game, I-explorer, just booted or been on for hours, random. No activity, can't use the keyboard or mouse and the HDD's stop working forcing me to re-boot. I got it to boot in safe mode without it freezing up, leading me to believe it was a software or driver issue. I used AVG and malewarebytes to do full scans and only found a few tarcker cookies and adware, nothing too much to worry about so I clean it all out. I run a memory test to make sure it is not the RAM, no problems. I run a HDD test, no problems. Then I set up a selective re-boot and try to isolate a process service or driver that could have been causing it. After hours and hours I couldn't isolate the problem and said f**k it, I'll just wipe the system and do a fresh install. So I do a clean install this time with the drives in RAID 1 (so I can use verfication), clean install of vista 64 bit, all the important updates and both service packs. Latest drivers for everything I ditched AVG this time and am using MS secuity essentials and ad-aware anti-spyware. Lovely, no problems installed COD4 & 5 and patched them up fine, no more freezes until... I install orange box/steam. I click to install all the games (HL2, Portal & TF2), does this fine from disk then downloads all updates ok. Launched TF2 from Steam, set graphics settings etc then click 'join server' and the list pops up - within 2/3 seconds I get the same freeze! No HDD activity, can't use mouse or anything, no BSOD. Re-boot, let the RAID controller verify and repair the array, fins a few minor errors and fixes them. Try again, it freezes in the same place! Ok, I think, maybe the dowonload was corrupted - so I completely uninstall Steam and the OB games. Ignoring the disk this time I download a fresh version of Steam, install then download TF2. Same problem. Is there some bug I don't know about in the server browser for TF2? (I don't think my firewall is stopping it) Is this just a symptom of my HDDs on the way out? (I will run a full disk diagnostic later today), is it Vista? Is it a Driver issue? I tried the system without the overclock too and still no differrence, it was fairly mild anyway (all done in the BIOS) the RAM is within it's manufactureres rating @1000mhz 2.1V, and the chip is 25% o'clocked from 2.4ghz to 3.0ghz using a FSB of 333 (the board can hanle 400 without blinking), 0.05 overvolt to the vcore & even under full load my CPU never gets hoter than 55degrees, antec 900 Cheesecake. I am at a loss... ps - I realised it could be something to do with my networking, I have a belkin wireless card through a belkin router connected to a cable modem - could It be something attacking/corrupted in my network drivers? It does seem strange that it's always opening the browser list that triggers the freeze, although I have no problems with IE or steam or the COD games connecting...wierd.
For those who rushed to my aid, I thank you for your comments and commitment to helping me solve this problem. Your dedication serves to honour this community. I only hope one day to return the moral and technical support offered to me in my time of need. I thank you all, from the bottom of my heart. I am truly touched by your grace and charity. *cough* As it turned out, the problem was the wireless card, I uninstalled the drivers, removed the card and haven't had a lockup since...
