Programs Randomly "Not Responding"

[ThatsForTheBird]

Hello, Programs randomly go "Not Responding" for anywhere from 2 seconds, to a minute. It mostly happens on games that I play including League of Legends, audio would stutter and/or be delayed at times, my mouse will still be move-able, but I can't click on anything in the game, everything just freezes. I can alt+tab during this to exit the game and do whatever I want, other programs will be fine in the meantime during this. I've had this problem for several months, looked on multiple sites for answers, couldn't find anything that helped. I system restored my PC twice, Scanned for virus's, used malwarebytes and norton security (just installed yesterday), can't seem to find a fix. I have no idea if it's a problem with windows 7 or if it's a hardware issue. I've read a bunch on it and everything says something different. Looking for someone to help me with my problem because nothing seems to work. Would GREATLY appreciate any attempt helping me with this problem. I've been getting extremely frustrated with this issue and I can't stand it anymore. People say "Just buy a new PC", well, I'm broke, so that isn't happening. My pc is out-dated quiet a bit.

ACER AX3910-U3012
Specs:
Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (SP1)
Intel Pentium Processor E5700
4GB DDR3 RAM
640GB Hard Drive
Intel GMA X4500 Graphics

 

[lehnerus2000]

Performance Monitoring?

Perhaps the graphics chips can't cope with those games.
Did the games work properly in the past?

Maybe too many programs are trying to access your HDD (at the same time).
Is your HDD Activity Indicator LED on (constantly) when you have this problem?

Since you have a W7 64 bit OS installed, maybe more RAM would help you.
I bought an 8GB kit for <$50 a couple of weeks ago.

You can use the Task Manager and Performance Monitors to check your RAM and Virtual Memory usage.
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc749249.aspx
Using Performance Monitor
Introduction to Performance Monitoring for Windows Server 2003 and 2008

Those links refer to servers, but the principles are the same for desktop operating systems.

 

[ThatsForTheBird]

Yes, it worked perfectly fine in the past.
It doesn't only happen on games, it's just more often.
Sometimes I will just... open the control panel or something and it will go "(Not Responding)" for a few seconds.
How do I check my "HDD Activity Indicator LED" ? Opening my computer and there will be an LED on the HDD?

Edit: Whatever this performance thing is, my average on it is 17-20.

 

[Injust]

Run MSCONFIG.exe from the Run window (Windows key + R) and go to the Startup tab. Take enough screenshots so we can see what everything in there is.

 

[ThatsForTheBird]

Run MSCONFIG.exe from the Run window (Windows key + R) and go to the Startup tab. Take enough screenshots so we can see what everything in there is.

(Added the black line so you can follow the programs more easily [if that makes sense] turns out i screwed up the black line, it should be under the hotkey utility in the second picture, oh well haha)

 

[Injust]

You have too many things
At least you unchecked many of them.
So, the startup programs shouldn't be the problem.

 

[lehnerus2000]

As Injust says, there seems to be a lot stuff in your Startup list.
Is this machine a laptop?

The HDD Activity Indicator LED should be on the front of your machine (desktop or laptop).
On a desktop, it is usually near the Power and Reset buttons.
On a laptop, it is usually on/near one of the edges (it depends on the manufacturer).

How many processes are shown in your Task Manager?

 

[ThatsForTheBird]

As Injust says, there seems to be a lot stuff in your Startup list.
Is this machine a laptop?

The HDD Activity Indicator LED should be on the front of your machine (desktop or laptop).
On a desktop, it is usually near the Power and Reset buttons.
On a laptop, it is usually on/near one of the edges (it depends on the manufacturer).

How many processes are shown in your Task Manager?

Yes, when the problem occurs the light stays lit. There's about 20 processes right now, usually less but I have a couple tabs of googlechrome up right now.
Edit: It's a Desktop.

 

[gregrocker]

Is this a factory preinstall? Have you had a decent Clean Reinstall lately which came anywhere near the steps to get a perfect http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219487-clean-reinstall-factory-oem-windows-7-a.html#post1839164. - steps same for retail. This would solve any problems as long as you stick with the tools/methods given.

Until then for a factory Preinstall I'd http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219576-clean-up-factory-bloatware.html. Otherwise work through the http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/220165-troubleshooting-steps-windows-7-a.html to test System files, check logs for repeat errors including at time of freezes, utilize System Resources to find solutions to Problems, Generate a System Health Report, etc.

 

[ThatsForTheBird]

Is this a factory preinstall? Have you had a decent Clean Reinstall lately which came anywhere near the steps to get a perfect http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219487-clean-reinstall-factory-oem-windows-7-a.html#post1839164. - steps same for retail. This would solve any problems as long as you stick with the tools/methods given.

Until then for a factory Preinstall I'd http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219576-clean-up-factory-bloatware.html. Otherwise work through the http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/220165-troubleshooting-steps-windows-7-a.html to test System files, check logs for repeat errors including at time of freezes, utilize System Resources to find solutions to Problems, Generate a System Health Report, etc.

For the clean reinstall it says "but phone activation to Microsoft is required..." I don't understand...

It is a factory preinstall. God my computer is pissing me off, excuse me but this freaking constant freezing makes me want to smash this god dang thing

 

[gregrocker]

It is very rare that phone activation to MS is required. The quote you posted is not from the tutorial. Where did you pull it out of?

I'd read the tutorial over so you understand it clearly. It is the key to getting and keeping a perfect Win7 install where these corruption issues become a thing of the past. This is fully within your grasp.

 

[ThatsForTheBird]

I did a clean install of Windows 7. Internet explorer went "Not Responding" twice, but hopefully that isn't linked to the problem and was just a random not responding. I'm going to download League of Legends and see if it freezes up and such. If so then I'm assuming that it's some hardware issue and not linked with Windows.

 

[ThatsForTheBird]

Still freezes and programs still randomly "Not Responding", assuming it is a hardware issue. But how do I locate what's wrong?

Edit: It seems to happen around when my sound stutters in-game. This doesn't happen while watching Youtube videos and such though. Could it be a problem with my sound card? I'm somewhat guessing it isn't because sound on other things never stutter and mess up. This makes me believe that it's either my Video card or my Processor.

 

[gregrocker]

Test your http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/105647-ram-test-memtest86.html
for 5-6 passes or overnight to stress test it.

Test your HD using the maker's HD Diagnostics or Video help on how to perform partition surface test with Partition Wizard., followed by http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/433-disk-check.html

Stress test your Prime 95: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/100352-cpu-stress-test-prime95.html

Test cables and connections.

How many drivers were imported by Windows Updates vs. how many did you import and from where?