Solved Is something wrong with me computer?

[BinkerNate]

Just recently, my computer froze (which is rare for me on this thing) and I had to physically turn off my computer. And then one night, the desktop, and everything on it except for the start bar below, was frozen for 1-2 minutes. Then later on, it was everything but the start bar that was frozen. I've done my virus scans, and so far nothing. It's happened 2-3 each day, sometimes it feels like a few seconds, other times it can be a few minutes, maybe inbetween. Is it my IE? Is it my graphics? OMG, could it be my hard drive about to go? I hope not on the latter. Is there a way to know?

 

[DavidE]

If you have a Restore Point from before the issues started, you can try restoring it.
Better yet would be restoring a backup image from before the problems started.

Here are a couple of tutorials you can work through:

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorial...ation-conflicts-performing-clean-startup.html by Brink

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/220165-troubleshooting-steps-windows-7-a.html by Gregrocker

Note: The tutorial by Gregrocker has steps for hardware testing if you think you have a HD problem.

 

[BinkerNate]

I'll look at those. I checked my system restore, and I do have one made before an Windows Update on 12/29/12. I scanned for affected programs (on the button below) and it found nothing. Is that normal after an update?

But let me reveal one other tidbit: the startbar started to freeze up again, then I did the CTRL>ALT>DELETE which leads to the Star Task screen (which the freeze affects too), but after I click on the background only, it quickly got back to normal. See how weird that is?

 

[DavidE]

I checked my system restore, and I do have one made before an Windows Update on 12/29/12.

What update did you get on 12/29/12 that caused a Restore Point to be created?

I scanned for affected programs (on the button below) and it found nothing. Is that normal after an update?

I believe Windows will create some Restore Points where nothing will be listed in the changes for "Programs and Drivers".
I think a weekly Restore Point is created by default, even if nothing changed.
If you use MS Security Essentials, and Definition updates are delivered via Windows Update that would probably create a Restore Point (daily), and maybe that isn't listed in changes?

Did you click on "Show more restore points" and check what changes are listed, assuming you have more Restore Points.

But let me reveal one other tidbit: the startbar started to freeze up again, then I did the CTRL>ALT>DELETE which leads to the Star Task screen (which the freeze affects too), but after I click on the background only, it quickly got back to normal. See how weird that is?

I agree that sounds weird (something I never have seen).
The best advice I can offer is to work through the tutorials I posted.
Maybe someone else will see this, and knows for sure what would cause this.


I prefer using System Backup Images, because they are a FULL OS backup.
Restore Points are NOT a full backup.
I've also been using backup images for a long time, so I trust them...

Sorry I can't help more
Happy New Year!

 

[BinkerNate]

Did you click on "Show more restore points" and check what changes are listed, assuming you have more Restore Points.

None were listed, again, for the 29th update. However, I have three more: 12/21st at 12:39am EST; 12/21 at 3:00am EST; and 12/25 at 12:54 EST; all of them concerning Malwarebytes.

I prefer using System Backup Images, because they are a FULL OS backup. Restore Points are NOT a full backup. I've also been using backup images for a long time, so I trust them...

I don't have Backup images, just System Restores.

EDIT: another tidbit; startbar started freezing a bit, so I clicked my windows button on the keyboard, and it stopped.

 

[gregrocker]

Report back the results of Troubleshooting Steps for Windows 7 as we may have other steps to add.

Start with the Clean Boot to see if a program is affecting this, then the RAM test to check your memory.

You can also do a System Restore to a point you know for sure is before the problem happened to see if it helps. It can always be reversed. Or just reinstall the affected programs.

 

[DavidE]

However, I have three more: 12/21st at 12:39am EST; 12/21 at 3:00am EST; and 12/25 at 12:54 EST; all of them concerning Malwarebytes.

I'll add this to what Greg recommends.

Check your Malwarebytes logs, and look in the Quarantine tab to see if any malware is being detected on your system.

I use MBAM Pro (real-time) with scheduled scans and updates.
I don't see restore points created for this, but no malware is detected or quarantined.

 

[BinkerNate]

Sorry for the long wait. After a while, the freezes started to happen very little, and I was thinking it could've been either my graphics, IE, or VLC.

Checking the link above, I looked at performance logs, and the thing that has kept on repeating that seems to be what I'm experiencing is the following:

The Desktop Window Manager is experiencing heavy resource contention.
Scenario: Video memory resources are over-utilized and there is thrashing happening as a result. Reducing number of running programs and open windows may help resolve this condition.

I guess that's it, but I wouldn't know what to do when it seems like I don't have anything else open when it happens.
As for the Clean Boot: I was told to go to msconfig>Startup and uncheck everything except AV: Startup Programs - Change; I can't find AV: Startup Programs - Change, I may not have it.

I do want to go into safe mode and run my virus scans, just in case. And the RAM test; I need things, don't I?

Also, I checked malwarebytes and I do have one thing quarantined: a Rogue Link file from a favorites link that isn't there anymore. Should I delete it, or is it fine where it is?

 

[gregrocker]

You don't know if you have anti-virus protection? Install Microsoft Security Essentials.

What other malware scans do you have? I'd use Malwarebytes and Super Anti Spyware.

Check your Browser's add-ons to disable anything but Flashplayer, Shockwave, Silverlight, WMP or Quicktime plug-ins. Only use others if a webpage prompts that it must have them to display correctly. Then run SuperAntSpyware again which finds spyware.

 

[BinkerNate]

You don't now if you have an anti-virus protection? Install Microsoft Security Essentials.

What other malware scans do you have? I'd use Malwarebytes and Super Anti Spyware.

Check your Browser's add-ons to disable anything but Flashplayer, Shockwave, Silverlight, WMP or Quicktime plug-ins. Only use others if a webpage prompts that it must have them to display correctly. Then run SuperAntSpyware again which finds spyware.

I made a mistake: I do have MSE, but AV is not listed there. I also did SUPERAnti and it always finds adware, which it removes. My browsers: I have shockwave, Adobe PDF link helper, XML DOM Document, and Norton Safe Web Lite enabled.

 

[gregrocker]

I would ditch Norton as it can be trouble. Stick with MSE and Win7 firewall kept automatic Updated.

The MSE listing in msconfig>Startup will be under MS. Put the cursor on each line of each listing until it reveals the program. Make sure it stays in the System Tray.

Win7's native instantaneous performance relies upon having a perfect install on adequate hardware. Compare the install you have with Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7. I would at least Clean Up Factory Bloatware until you get a perfect reinstall.

If in doubt about your hardware run the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor and the hardware tests in troubleshooting tutorial.

You can also gain back some performance using Optimize Windows 7 - Windows 7 Forums especially editing Visual Effects of animation, sliding, fading, dragging intact and selection rectangle. These are huge resource hogs.

 

[BinkerNate]

Well, the fact that it happened recently doesn't mean I should do a clean install. I did that before, because a virus infected my firewall.

Are you sure about Norton? Because it has never been a bad thing to have for me, and I trust it when it comes to the site surfing I do constantly.

 

[gregrocker]

My suggestion was only to compare the reinstall you did with the steps to get a perfect Clean Reinstall to see if it came close. Many still use outdated XP methods with an OS which is driver-complete in the installer and via Windows updates. The tools and methods in the tutorial assure a perfect install, and a perfect install on adequate hardware is how Win7 alway performs perfectly.

Very few here regard Norton as much more than bloatware. But it's not as bad as MucAfee which almost everyone here regards as an atrocity.

 

[DavidE]

The Desktop Window Manager is experiencing heavy resource contention.
Scenario: Video memory resources are over-utilized and there is thrashing happening as a result. Reducing number of running programs and open windows may help resolve this condition.

Have you tried updating the video driver?

It's item #13 in Greg's http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/220165-troubleshooting-steps-windows-7-a.html tutorial .

 

[BinkerNate]

I did do a windows update, and it seemed that the problem was fixed with it, then today it seems to have returned though only once and because it was actually something else. I'll still watch it though, just in case.

I checked the drives, and anything under device manager, and they are say they're working fine. Plus, #13 doesn't actually tell me how to update it.

Also, I got CCleaner but I haven't used it for a couple of years, and I forgot what to check if I want to use it, though. Which should I check to use it?

 

[gregrocker]

Make sure all Important and Optional Updates are done after enabling Automatically deliver drivers via Windows Update (Step 3) .

If no newer Display driver check the Support Downloads webpage for your model PC or device. Driver Install - Device Manager

On Disk Cleanup tab Run Cleaner.

Then on Registry tab, Scan for Issues>Fix Issues w/backup offered.

 

[BinkerNate]

Make sure all Important and Optional Updates are done after enabling Automatically deliver drivers via Windows Update (Step 3) .

Yes, that's checked.

If no newer Display driver check the Support Downloads webpage for your model PC or device. Driver Install - Device Manager

There's isn't any there for Windows 7. I have Windows 7, no XP, or XP into 7, just 7.

On Disk Cleanup tab Run Cleaner.

Then on Registry tab, Scan for Issues>Fix Issues w/backup offered.

I can't seem to find that either. CCleaner looks like this:

NOTE: this is a picture found via google, not a picture I made of mine.

 

[gregrocker]

Yes click the Run Cleaner button there, then tab down to Registry to Scan for Issues and Fix them.

 

[BinkerNate]

Okay, here's an update: I think I found the problem, and it's not the desktop, nor Windows 7, programs, etc: it's my mouse. I knew I was having a problem with it, but I didn't think it was connected to my computer. This feels embrassing. Basically, its a mouse with a laser on the bottom (I think its common now), and the middle button either gets stuck or acts up that causes the freeze. Now, when the freezing started again, all I did was push the middle button a little, and the freezing stopped. I may have to get a new one, or try to unstick it, but that's the problem: the mouse.

I think I'm going to be okay, now. I thank all of you guys for helping me, eith both my issue and CCleaner. But I'm going to mark this as solved because I found the problem.

 

[gregrocker]

Thanks for reporting back. Never heard of a stuck mouse button hanging the PC.