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That 'Old' pc FREEZE issue - again
In a nutshell here is the problem I am experiencing:
I purchased a new quad-core top end pc running W7 home Premium from a computer outlet approx. 3 months ago (full spec below). I have been extremely happy with everything about this setup until approx. 5 weeks ago when I noticed that during normal operation the pc seemed to ‘freeze up’.
When I say ‘freeze’ I mean the only thing working was the mouse, which still moved the pointer but could not select or open anything. Everything else, including the keyboard was frozen. As far as I could judge the freeze lasted approx. 1 min.
The only other thing happening was the HD light on the front panel of the pc was lit with a steady glow, no sign of disk activity as such (varying pulses), just a full light.
Since I became aware of the above I now find it happening approx. every 40 – 50min. I say approx. because I never know exactly when it is about to happen. There is no warning. If I am surfing the web or simply using Firefox to brows I realise nothing is happening and see the (“Not Responding”) notice at the top of the screen.
What I have tried Already
1. 1. Run all standard W7 diagnostics which come out clean
2. 2. Looked through the Event Log which revels no unusual entries and nothing at the times of the freezes which I make a note of in case I can match it with anything
3. 3. Stopped all non-essential progs running. Only the program I am using at the time is running together with Virgin Media security anti-virus suit in the background. (Windows firewall is switched off)
4. 4. Scanned with CCleaner and S&D Spybot – nothing!
5. 5. Defragged – no change
6. 6. Sfc/scannow – nothing found
7. 7. Compared all drivers with current offerings from ALL suppliers. Apart from my monitor, Samsung SyncMaster all where/are up-to-date.
8. 8. Disabled all non-essential “Auto-update” software and double checked “Task Scheduler” – nothing remains or is outstanding.
9. 8. Re-run full system scan for virus/malware etc. Nothing reported.
10. 10. Recently downloaded and run “Process Explorer”, “AutoRuns” and “Process Monitor”, but, am having problems understanding what I am seeing. Steep learning curve! Still can’t spot the trouble maker.
11. 11. Scanned with TUT – Nothing reported.
Everything indicates that everything “should” be working correctly, but, the freezes keep on occurring making my life a complete misery.
Any ideas………… anybody? Pretty please………………….
Pc spec:-
Model – Advent Centurion CQ9204
Bios – American Megatrends, version 080015, 25 Sept 2009
CPU – Intel Core Quad Q8300 @ 2.5GHz
Graphics – NVIDIA GeForce GT 230, 2GB. Driver ver. 8.17.11.9745
On-board sound Realtek and Creative Audigy 2zs (no conflicts)
Operating system – Windows 7 64bit, install date 14th July 2009
Memory – Ram 6GB
Page File – 12GB
Available Page File Mem – 10GB
Total Virtual Mem – 2GB
HD – Hitachi 1TB