Pc keeps freezing

Murtle

Hi Guys and Gals

I wondered if someone could help, my pc keeps freezing when I'm using it - normally for about a minute or so, (it just did it mid-posting)

I was wondering if anyone would know why, or could give me any tips to check why it is doing this, please?! apart from being ver frustrating, I'm worried something is about to give?!

Many thanks

Murtle

Richie(UK)

Hi Murtle,

Is the freezing continuous throught a typical session or just at the start?

The reason I ask is that a work colleague reported the same problem with the start of sessions - turned out that it was the anti-virus software performing a scan in the background. Is this a possibility?

Given your concerns - make sure your back-ups are up-to-date. I recently had to repair my PC (faulty PSU as at turned out) but was horrified/ashamed at how old my last back-up was (should really automate the process). Its situations like this that bring home the importance of back-ups. Won't solve the problem but its one less thing to worry about if the doo-doo hits the fan

Dammam

Hit Ctrl Alt Delete at the same time, look at task manager and next time it freezes, take a look at what processes are running.

Murtle

It could happen when the anti-virus software is running, but the AV software has been there for ages, so why would it start freezing now?

there are about 60 processes that seem to run continuosly on this pc, I don't know why. But when I press Ctrl Alt Delete, it waits until the pc is unfrozen to show you the task manager. but if I look at the performance, it is usually coming down from a peak. Is there anyway I can see what the processes that are running are??

on going thanks!

Dammam

What virus killer are you using, Norton?
Also, do you know how many programmes are loaded at Startup.
Finally, what is the spec of your PC - processor speed & Ram especially.
Oh, nearly forgot, how much hard drive space do you have left?

Murtle

AVG anti virus
Zonelabs
Spyware blaster

In the start menu I appear to have; (in folders)

Accessories
ACD Systems
Administrative Tools
FirstClass
Google Desktop Search
GSP
Lavasoft Ad-aware 6
MahJongg
Startup - this folder is empty

But again, on start up, LOTS of processes all kick in

Computer :
AMD Athlon Processor
1.20GHz, 256 MB of RAM

C: Drive (only drive)
Total 53.1GB
Free 26.2GB


Does that help??!!

Thanks

Murtle

Chillout

What I would do is to disable everything in your startup then reboot your pc and see if the freezing continues. If it doesn't then the problem is with a startup program which you can slowly find thru the process of elimination. If it does then the problem goes deeper. Try running a spyware and antivirus scan.

To disable the startup items: click on start then run....type in msconfig...
Click on the startup tab and uncheck everything then reboot.

Toxteth_OGrady

@murtle

Check out this thread.

:cool:

TOG

Dammam

I'd go along with Chillout - eliminate all the possibilities and (theoretically) end up with a probability.

Alternatively, and this is a big one, reformat and start again. It sounds drastic, but sometimes it's a quicker and easier process than trouble shooting.

Murtle

I will try above tips, but this doesn't only happen at boot up, it happens when the pc is running and I'm trying to use it normally. Does that need different things??

Thanks

Dammam

Probably.
The usual thing is to remove the components you feel most likely to cause the problem. I.E Disconnect from the internet, remove spyware checkers and virus checkers. Does this solve it? If yes, then add the deleted software one piece at a time until the problem is replicated - and there's your culprit.

Don't forget, always disconnect from the net if you are removing your virus protection etc. And don't forget to run a firewall.

However, if these things don't work the the law of diminishing returns would suggest that it's a lot less hassle to completely reformat and reinstall Windows and all the programs you need (don't forget to backup your vital information, docs, pics etc).
Windows invariably runs at least 10% faster after this, no matter how good the housekeeping.