Frequent Windows 7 Problems

I can't actually count all the issues I take with this system. Even XP ran better! So for the sake of brevity I'm going to try to focus on only a couple of the really big ones.

The biggest issue I have is that every single day, without fail, my computer locks up at 3 AM. It's completely unusable for a minimum of an hour, and often for much longer. Sometimes it's so bad I can't even move the mouse. If I am lucky enough to be able to open the task manager, it reads nothing, and I mean ABSOLUTELY nothing that isn't running at other times when my computer is fine. During these times, the highest CPU usage reads between 5%-7%. Memory usage is rarely higher than 30%, usually it's closer to 22. Even at the same time that all my windows are displaying (not responding) or my mouse is locked up.

I suspect this is windows constantly updating itself (which it is very literally CONSTANTLY doing), because occasionally during these lockups my computer will automatically reboot itself, and OCCASIONALLY when this happens it claims it's "installing an update, and don't shut it off!"

I say "claims" because that's my second biggest issue. Even if it does update itself, when it's reboots there is always, and I do mean ALWAYS, another update it's itching to install. It's been several months since I've even been able to shut it down without something trying to install AGAIN. There is always, always the icon that indicates this (a shield with an exclamation mark) on the shutdown button in my start menu.

I've tried turning off windows updates and it STILL insists on doing this every damned time. Sometimes it's upwards of half an hour to an hour just staring at this screen that says the computer is currently updating.

Those two things are enough for now, and I can't even begin to explain my frustration with them, since during these lockups I can't get any work done. Lately I'm genuinely considering physically smashing this machine to bits and trying to learn Linux instead. Microsoft is demanding outrageous fees before they'll even consider helping me to get their product working even reasonably well. So I'm kind of desperate for help.

If you need any more information, please be very clear about what you're looking for, and especially in the case of system specifications, how I can even find that information. I'm not completely computer illiterate, but nor am I likely to understand any technical jargon. I will do my best to provide whatever other details you might need.

I apologize if this post seems like a rant, as I've almost lost my patience with my computer altogether. I dearly hope somebody can help.

Is this a new laptop that came with Win 7 pre-installed from Dell ?
Or, is it an old laptop that you (or someone) "upgraded" from XP to Win 7 ?

Do you use System Optimizers, Registry Cleaners, etc. ?

For starters, try a clean startup:
Troubleshoot Application Conflicts by Performing a Clean Startup

Nothing has ever been upgraded on this laptop, whether hardware or software. It came from the factory with Windows 7 and everything else. I'm only comparing it to XP because that actually has a reputation for being terrible, but it's my experience that I downgraded badly by buying this one. When it actually works (like right now), it works fine. That's kind of rare though.

No system or registry cleaners have been run on it, since I'm pretty sure those are all a scam. Actually, no "free" software of any kind has been on this computer.

I'll try that clean startup tonight, and see if it still locks up at the same time. That definitely doesn't help with the updates though. I'll post the results of that tomorrow. Thanks DavidE.

have a look in your task scheduler, see what kicks off at 3AM, if i remember rightly thats the standard kick of time for windows update, are yours upto date???.
Other program updates, antivirus,etc might also kick of at this time as well, have a look see.

Roy

have a look at the updates/activation subsection, follow the posting guide, it sounds like your system is not updating properly

Please pardon the delay in my response. The clean startup isn't making any significant difference at all (save that my initial boot is a bit faster).

Thanks torchwood, I will look for that section next.