Various programs keep "not responding" as well as the OS itself

I don't know what to do with this computer, anymore. I have had nothing but problems with it. Anyway, I have Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit. This problem began in 2012, and persisted for a few months. I ultimately found no solution, and gave up. For some reason, the issue just resolved itself eventually. Now, after a year, it's happening again. Firefox, Steam, VLC ect..Just randomly hang for 30 seconds. It's not exclusive to any program, and I noticed that it gradually spread to Windows Explorer in general. It also happens frequently when I'm gaming. But whether I'm gaming or not, this problem persists. Windows Security Essentials has found no virus, and I've installed Avast and Spybot just to be sure, uninstalling them when they found nothing. I've noticed other posts with similar problems, but have had a hard time following instructions. A lot of it is jargon that I suppose is common sense to the right tech savvy person. Well, I suppose that's the wrong way to put it. Some of the solutions just aren't detailed enough.

I need step by step instructions. I've repeatedly been forced to restart my computer. Even now as I type this, Firefox will stop responding. But the program that has the worst of it is Skype, I've noticed. Eventually, I plan on building my own gaming computer in the future, but I'm afraid right now I'm stuck with this computer. So I have to try my hardest to not smash this Dell Inspiron 580 to pieces.

First thing you should do is completely fill out your system specs so we can tell how powerful or puny that thing is.

Particularly what CPU and how much RAM?

Can't do much troubleshooting without that info.

I apologize for being so vague. This is the best I can give you, through running dxdiag. Whether that's enough or not enough, let me know.

Intel(R) Core(TM) i3 CPU 540 @.307GHz, ~3.1GHz
6144MB RAM
Nvidia Geforce 310
DirectX 11

CycloneDash said:

I apologize for being so vague. This is the best I can give you, through running dxdiag. Whether that's enough or not enough, let me know.

Intel(R) Core(TM) i3 CPU 540 @.307GHz, ~3.1GHz
6144MB RAM
Nvidia Geforce 310
DirectX 11

Not a powerhouse, but tolerable.

Check these things to start:

Open Task Manager; under "physical memory", how much is shown as "available"? Under "system", how many processes are shown?

Reboot and check the same two things again, immediately, without opening any applications or web browsers. How many of those 2 things now?

After the reboot, type "msconfig" in the start button search box. Poke msconfig.exe. Go to "startup" tab. How many items have a checkmark next to them?

When did you last do a complete virus and anti-malware scan?

What, if any, applications do you use to "clean up" or "tune" your PC?

It's my first desktop, so I suppose it's to be expected. Previously, I had used laptops or shared desktops with family.

Anyway, under physical memory, there's a total of 6007. Under system, there are 72 processes. Now, after restarting, there's 6007 physical memory, and 81 processes. It keeps switching between 78, 77, and 80, however..The only two startup programs are TP-LINK which I use to connect to wi-fi, and a program called Uniblue(Which I installed in a frantic attempt to remedy the issue a month ago), which doesn't start up properly, and instead displays an error message. Clicking OK simply closes it for good, unless I restart again.

The last time I did a full complete virus scan was last month, and I used Microsoft Security Essentials. Nothing came up. Is an anti-malware scan different from a virus scan? If so, then I haven't done the latter. Also, I'm having a hard time opening the start menu, as the instant I do, it stops responding. For some reason, today is the worst it's ever been. Once I click on Msconfig, everything within the start menu is unclickable, and I also can't type. Thankfully, it opened five minutes later.

Anyhow, there are 14 startup items with checks. I'll type them out as listed:

Microsoft Security Client
Microsoft Xbox 360 Accessories
Google Update
Browser Extensions
Search Protection
CCleaner
Adobe Reader and Acrobat Manager
PCFixSpeed
Realplayer Cloud(32-bit)
RealDownloader
Codecpackupdatechecker
Mcafee Security Scanner +
RealPlayer Cloud
TP-LINK Wireless Configuration Utility

Also, the only application I use is Microsoft Security Essentials. I have CCleaner, but I don't even know how to use it. And I've never used Mcafee.

You did not mention "available" RAM. You gave only the total figure. Look next to the word "available".

The startup items are revealing.

You apparently have McAfee installed. Why? It's bad form to have 2 anti-virus programs. You say you are using MSE. McAfee is hard to get rid of. You should go to the McAfee web site and locate their uninstall utility and run it to get rid of McAfee.

I don't recognize many of those 14 things. Why "PC Fix Speed"? Sounds like a terrible idea.

Windows will run fine with all of that crap unchecked. I'd uncheck 13 of the 14. Leave MS Security client checked. Reboot and see if there is any change.

Malware is different than virus. You should probably get an anti-malware app, but not just yet.

I have about 55 processes running, so you have a fairly high number.

Go back to msconfig and look at services tab.

Put a checkmark next to "hide all Microsoft services". How many services are left and shown as "running"? I've got 8 non Microsoft running right now.


Report back with those numbers and then immediately try to get rid of McAfee.

Uninstall the "PC Fix Speed" and any other crap you installed in an attempt to fix this issue.

Keep CCleaner, but it certainly doesn't have to be checked in msconfig.

Here's a snip of the window. Unfortunately, I can't resize the window to show you all of the items. If you'd like me to snip it in parts, let me know.