Computer hangs or freezes frequently

I have a recurring problem in that my computer randomly will freeze and become non responsive(though I can move the mouse during these freezes). When clicking on a link or trying to view an e-mail I get the message "Not Responsive" as I watch the Windows "circle" rotate in the middle of the screen. Usually within 15 seconds to a minute the computer again returns to usable state. It used to happen only in Windows Mail. But about two weeks ago it started happening when using other programs, IE, Firefox, etc.

My system specs are as follows:
Dell Dimension E521
Vista Home Premium 32 bit
AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 3800+ 2GHz
2GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz- 2DIMMs
256MB NVIDIA Geforce 7300LE TurboCache
Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio
Optiquest 19" widescreen lcd 1280 x 768
250GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache™
Tower
Dell USB Keyboard and Dell 2-button Scroll Mouse
DSL 3.0 Mbps down 384 Kbps up

To this point I worked with Dell support to try to solve the problem. After doing a disk cleanup, removing temp files, etc. that didn't fix it, they had me perform a restore to Factory Settings. However even after doing that and reinstalling my programs and data files, the problem persists. I have tried opening Windows in safe mode and the problem doesn't occur then. BTW, there are no error messages when this occurs.
As for computer experience I can follow directions but not much beyond that. Any suggestions or instructions to fix this aggravating problem would be much appreciated.

I will get you some information. But we knwo this if it does not happen in safe mode, some program or process is causing the problem. I will get you information for clean boot.

Try this, it should help you determine the cause of the problem. Then report back

How to troubleshoot a problem by performing a clean boot in Windows Vista or in Windows 7

Think I might have found it. When I went through the procedure the first time and rebooted, one of the services that I deselected showed up as still checked Norton IS 2010. It is running. I could not get it to stay deselected so I decided to do some surfing just to check and sure enough, it hung up.
I don't know that that means for sure that it is the culprit but it sure looks like it. Do you have any suggestions other than just uninstalling Norton and choosing another security suite?

If Norton is the problem or not. Go to the Norton site, get the uninstall tool and uninstall.

In lieu of Norton use Microsoft Security Essetntials and Malwarebytes.

You will have as good or better protection with less resources used.

If the problem continues and you do not have the solution, just post back.


I am glad that I was able to help and you found the solution so quickly.

I hate to get rid of Norton unless I have to since my subscription was just renewed last month. Could I just try disabling Norton and using the solutions you suggest so that I can find out for sure before getting rid of it once and for all?

Certainly, but let me give you one piece of information. When the next subscription is due, get the free Microsoft Security Essentials. It free and uses little computer resources and is good.

Hello campheel sounds like you have some adware on your sytem you may have picked up a trojan adware is usually linked to a lot problems with slow sytems and hangups freezes and sometimes crashes you shouldcheck to make sure you dont have any spyware on your sytem good luck

jaymus777 said:

Hello campheel sounds like you have some adware on your sytem you may have picked up a trojan adware is usually linked to a lot problems with slow sytems and hangups freezes and sometimes crashes you shouldcheck to make sure you dont have any spyware on your sytem good luck

Click to expand...

Good thought. Download and try malwarebytes.

Have you checked that your graphics card is well in place?