Laptop freezes or doesn't shutdown half of the time

[Computer0304]

For some reason, starting last Tuesday, my computer sometimes freezes or doesn't open any programs. Even if it freezes, the cursor can still be moved and the CAPS LOCK responds. It also sometimes allows me to open the start screen (this is Windows 8.1) and click shutdown but it doesn't shutdown and stays on and all I can do is open and close the start screen. I have to force it off anytime this happens. I have tried the following to fix it (It is in chronological order):
1. Run a scan for the entire drive with both Windows Defender(MSE for Windows 8) and MBAM
2. Uninstall an program that I thought was causing the issue
3. Disabled all startup programs that I don't need
4. Do a system restore to a point without the issue
5. Did 2 and 3 again since it was undone because of the system restore
6. Run sfc /verifyonly multiple times (I used verifyonly instead of scannow in case it finds anything and tries to fix it since I didn't have the time, and it didn't find anything)
7. Update the drivers and preinstalled LG software with the official LG Update Center program (more details about it here:http://www.sevenforums.com/drivers/366176-drivers-install-without-restart.html)
I did lightly bump the monitor lid part into the wall on Monday or Tuesday but I'm sure the monitor is fine and SSDs shouldn't take damage from a very slight force and I also checked the health of the SSDs.

 

[Computer0304]

Is there anything I can please do to try and fix it? I really want to get it fixed quick. Also, should I not use the computer while this problem is still here because the forced shutdowns can be bad to the hardware?
Maybe it's overheating from me playing Minecraft on the weekends and Friday on this ultrabook with only tiny fans as when playing it, the fans do go fast sometimes? The fan did spin a little faster than usual for one second every startup when the problem started but after doing the steps I have done, it stopped doing that. Thanks for helping.
Update 1: Tried sfc /verifyonly again but it freezed at the message that it didn't find any integrity violations and the little command prompt bar kept blinking and be never showed C:\Windows\System32> again. So I thought it was frozen so I closed it. I tried opening the Start Screen and it wouldn't open so I know it is frozen. The action center flag icon was showing that maintenance is in progress with the clock next to the flag icon. Before I tried to open the Start Screen, for some reason, I was able to hover over the flag and it showed the little message of "maintenance in progress."
Update 2: It unfreeze for some reason after some minutes. And I opened the Start Screen and shutdown worked. The action center flag still had the clock and said it was still doing maintenance but it seemed to be doing nothing so I shutdown.
Update 3: I tried turning it on again and login took a while and the desktop appeared with no icons. Maybe when it freezes, something is just not responding and the system is still working? I tried turning on again and the fan burst speed for a second and went back to normal. It shutdown correctly this time though.

I also tried DISM to check health before and nothing corrupted was found.

Almost 150 views and still no one? Please help. Sorry if I sound like I'm begging, but I am really desperate. Thank you.

 

[Computer0304]

For some reason though, it seems when I try the steps it froze more than when just using it normally today as a test. So far, no freeze for a few hours.
Update: Shutdown worked right.

 

[D3LL]

freeze more when I use but it doesn't when another family member uses it

I noticed you said this in another topic. Do you have a lot of things open compared to the other family member that use more resources etc...

 

[ThrashZone]

(this is Windows 8.1)
.

Unfortunately this is SevenForums not EightForums

 

[gregrocker]

If the problem persists compare it to running only with a boot disk like Peppermint3 - Create Live CD/DVD/USB To Use For Emergency Backup - Windows 7 Forums. Disable the hard drive if possible during these tests.

This will tell you if the problem is in the OS or hard drive, or in anything that is running with a boot disk e.g. OD, mobo, CPU, etc.

You said you disabled most startups but what did you keep? Disable those as well. Uninstall your AV to test without it.

However having this begin directly after hitting the laptop against something is pretty damning. I would try reseating the hard drive, or an SSD if you have access to one.

 

[Computer0304]

freeze more when I use but it doesn't when another family member uses it

I noticed you said this in another topic. Do you have a lot of things open compared to the other family member that use more resources etc...

Not really, I only use it for browsing too and playing Minecraft on the weekends.

(this is Windows 8.1)
.

Unfortunately this is SevenForums not EightForums

Well, does it matter? (Sorry if I sound mad though...)

If the problem persists compare it to running only with a boot disk like Peppermint3 - Create Live CD/DVD/USB To Use For Emergency Backup - Windows 7 Forums. Disable the hard drive if possible during these tests.

This will tell you if the problem is in the OS or hard drive, or in anything that is running with a boot disk e.g. OD, mobo, CPU, etc.

You said you disabled most startups but what did you keep. Disable those as well. Uninstall your AV to test without it.

However having this begin directly after hitting the laptop against something is pretty damning. I would try reseating the hard drive, or an SSD if you have access to one.

Well actually now that I think of it, the problem started right before I bumped it. It was only a slight bump. It barely even made a sound and it was on the monitor lid part, not the bottom part. It must just be a coincidence. Also, my laptop seems to only have USB 3.0. Will it still work? Also, does it work the same for Windows 8? My computer skips the BIOS splash screen and goes straight to Windows splash. My AV is just Windows Defender (it's similar to MSE if you don't know but is included with Windows) I have kept Intel Dynamic Platform and Thermal Framwork, Btmshellex, fsquirt, rundll32 (which goes in the same group in the startup bar of the task manager for Win 8 as fsquirt and both are for btmshellex), and Realtek HD Audio Manager. I have not disabled any services. Also, it is impossible to open it as it is one of those tightly fit ultrabook like laptops.

To everyone: Should I post this in EightForums instead because of the difference between Win7 and Win8? Also, I have not updated Intel RST even though it lists as an update as the laptop doesn't seem to even use it and it is just there installed. It only is listed in the control panel as an installed program, it doesn't even run at startup or shows in the Start Screen.

Edit: It's really weird, today when I turned it on to check the startup items, it froze again this time on the Start Screen even though it worked perfectly for my other family member yesterday.
Edit 2: Actually, it worked when I clicked the Windows button on keyboard and it exited the Start Screen. And shutdown worked too. I'm going to go out for the day, I'll reply to any new posts later.

 

[gregrocker]

Disable all Startup items and only reenable if you're missing a function like Bluetooth. You can google each one to find what it does.

Otherwise if nothing else suggested helps work through the hardware and other Troubleshooting tutorial linked below.

 

[Computer0304]

There is a Bluetooth, touch pad multi touch gesture related, hotkey related, temperature and CPU voltage related, and Realtek HD Audio related. Is it safe to disable any of these or would they cause more problems? Should I do a system restore before trying? Also, when I was gone, someone in my family was using it and it froze and then unfroze after a while... maybe this will be useful info? The mouse can be moved when it is frozen but nothing can be clicked. She was viewing a video and the video stopped too. She may have been able to click other things, she doesn't remember.
Edit: It froze again but only IE froze and the Start Screen can open.
Edit 2: I tried to close IE and got the not responding dialog so I closed the program and tried to open it again but it won't open. Then I opened Start Screen and tried shutting down but it froze when I clicked the power icon on Start Screen. And then it responded and randomly opened the Mail app so I closed it and IE was on the desktop so I tried to close that but it froze again...

 

[Computer0304]

Ok, I have disabled everything but Intel Dynamic Platform and Thermal Framework and Bluetooth startup. The Realtek HD Audio Manager is gone from the tray, pressing caps lock doesn't say caps lock on/off on the screen anymore and that's it. Will have to wait to see if it is fixed. If it doesn't freeze for the whole week, will assume it's fixed. If not, I'll update. Thanks for helping up till now.

 

[gregrocker]

Again, I would disable everything except your AV in msconfig>Startup and msconfig>Services (after Hiding All MS Services) to see how it runs. If you have any missing function like some scrolling or gestures on the touchpad, or hotkey, then you can reenable those later after you see what freeloaders might be causing problems.

I would not have advised you in the first place to disable everything except AV if there was a chance it would mess things up. My tutorials have all advised this for years and been used by millions without a single complaint.

 

[Computer0304]

Well yeah, I guess I should be trusting you, you have way more knowledge than me. Disabling Intel Dynamic Platform and Thermal Framwork seems to make the computer faster but makes it heat up more. So I left it enabled because I don't want it to overheat. Ok, I will disable all unneeded services if just disabling startup programs doesn't work. The reason I don't want to disable all the services yet is because some of them are security programs that are required to use on popular shopping websites when doing a transaction or banking here in Korea and I'm not sure which they are.

 

[gregrocker]

Remember that in msconfig>Services you must tick the box to Hide All MS Services to be sure nothing used by Win7 is disabled.

If you know the Intel startups don't cause problems and help with overheating then that is the kind of informed decision that is needed when allowing anything other than Win7 Services to start with Windows. I only urged you to try without all of them to see if the situation is relieved any, then you can add back any which provide missing functions or you know help like the Intel.

 

[Computer0304]

Hey I uninstalled the update talked about here: http://www.sevenforums.com/news/366474-microsoft-silently-preparing-your-pc-win-10-a.html but it feels like that makes Windows Update freeze when checking for update. I am trying system restore and it seems to be taking a while in the restarting phase. Need to go out so I'll leave someone else at home to watch it.
Edit: Well either I am wring that it is being slow and it's supposed to take this long or the update has nothing to do with it as it seems to be same. Maybe I need to give it more time.

 

[Computer0304]

I installed this optional update: Update 3033889 causes Windows Explorer to stop responding on systems that use the Japanese or Korean IME in case it may help for me.

 

[Computer0304]

Hey Greg, if something goes wrong in booting when I disable services, can I use system restore using F8 boot menu to go on System Recovery Options?

 

[gregrocker]

You can always recover from a bad setting or Update by booting into the disk System Recovery Options
to do a System Restore, so make sure you have plenty of disk space enabled on C for System Protection - Change Disk Space Usage.

There has never been a case I've seen where disabling Startups in Win7 will cause the PC not to boot, as I've stated all of the services needed by Win7 are protected when you check the box to Hide all MS Services.

The only serious problem I recall was when some HP owners disabled the HP Wireless Manager bloatware and then couldn't connect to the web until they uninstalled it to use Win7's superior network manager in System Tray.

 

[Computer0304]

Ok, I also uninstalled a few online transaction security programs that has an service that starts in startup in case it was causing a problem.