Computer Issue

[RedHawk]

In the last week or so, my computer has started to mess up. Whenever I use Firefox or Internet Explorer, the computer will freeze every 5 minutes or for 1-2 minutes at a time. It is very annoying.

Does anyone know what might be causing this and how to fix it? I know the best fix might be a complete system restoration but was hoping to avoid this if possible. My problems coincided with warning about my laptop battery going bad so I didn't know if the two issues might be related.

Thanks in advance for the help.

[W2R]

How much memory does your computer have? Someone I know has a machine with just 512 Mb and it tends to choke like that when using Internet Explorer, too.

It's a little better when he uses Google Chrome; if memory is the problem then that might be worth trying.

[Webzter]

Only in those two programs?

Which operating system?

How old is the computer?

It could be your system is just clogged and a restore will fix it. But, it could also be due to increased disk fragmentation (unlikely with pauses that big), failing sectors on your hard drive (especially if they're in the area where your operating system's page file lives), or memory that's going bad.

[RedHawk]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Webzter Only in those two programs? Which operating system? How old is the computer? It could be your system is just clogged and a restore will fix it. But, it could also be due to increased disk fragmentation (unlikely with pauses that big), failing sectors on your hard drive (especially if they're in the area where your operating system's page file lives), or memory that's going bad.

I don't really use my computer for much other than an internet connection but it has been freezing with Yahoo Messenger as well. The computer is an HP Pavillion and its just under 2 years old. I think it has a couple gigs of memory but not sure exactly how much.

[Webzter]

My guess would be, maybe, bad memory. It's been a long time since I've had to diagnose bad mem, but maybe try here: How to detect RAM problems to stabilize Vista | ZDNet... the instructions are at the bottom of the article.

Note, I just checked and, at least on my version of Windows 7, the steps will work on Windows 7 as well.

edited to add: I suppose maybe memory could have been affected by a failing battery. A faulty power supply has cost me some memory in the past.

[ERD50]

Try clearing the cache. I've seen a couple nasty problems get cured by doing this. Probably was some corrupt file causing things to get hung up. Not much to lose by trying it (just recent history and stuff), zero cost, and easy.


-ERD50

[MBAustin]

Or you may have a malware infestation :-(

Malwarebytes is a good eradicator.

Good luck.

[GregLee]

Try stopping and turning off your computer, then start it up again (if you haven't done that). The idea here is to mend a possible problem caused by memory being designated as in use even though it is not actually being made use of. It's pretty common. If that's it, just getting a fresh start may fix things.

[wolf]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedHawk In the last week or so, my computer has started to mess up. Whenever I use Firefox or Internet Explorer, the computer will freeze every 5 minutes or for 1-2 minutes at a time. It is very annoying. Does anyone know what might be causing this and how to fix it? I know the best fix might be a complete system restoration but was hoping to avoid this if possible. My problems coincided with warning about my laptop battery going bad so I didn't know if the two issues might be related. Thanks in advance for the help.

This works for me. keep it simple. Do the easy thing first.

1. Do a simple restore. You mention the problem started last week.
Restore back, about 2 weeks. Use the Hp, built in restore software.

2. If that does not work. go to google.
Type in your computer symptoms. You will find others with the same
problem.
You will find many suggestions. Pick the simplist one first.

Again, do a simple restore. (go back a couple of weeks). You don't have to erase everything. (that's the last resort).

[FIRE'd@51]

I have a similar problem with the cursor occasionally freezing up. I have found that putting the computer to sleep and waking it up again (which I can do with the sleep button) frees up the cursor. This is not a permanent fix, but it avoids having to reboot the computer at an inconvenient time.

[RedHawk]

Well may be the solution to my problem was just posting on this forum. The problem is gone today. Oddly enough today was the first time in about 2 weeks that I didn't have a warning about my battery so may be the issue is related to the failing battery.

[Webzter]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedHawk Well may be the solution to my problem was just posting on this forum. The problem is gone today. Oddly enough today was the first time in about 2 weeks that I didn't have a warning about my battery so may be the issue is related to the failing battery.

I used my telekineses powers to remotely fix and defrag your laptop. I also remotely debited your account for my services. No need to thank me, you already did.

[SteveL]

There are a number of issues between updates to windows, and corresponding updates to Adobe Flash. Unlike other programs many times Flash does not advise you that an update is available/required. Given that the issue affects both Explorer and Firefox, I suspect that this may be a cause. Try to go to adobe flash website and download the latest version. You have to have browsers off in order to complete the installation.

[scrabbler1]

One thing I did recently which has helped the load time for my web browser was to carefully note the names of the websites a web page accesses often to load all the graphics, pictures, ads, and video feeds. I went into Tools/Internet Options/Security/Restricted Sites and added a few of them to the list and voila - the load times sped up quite a bit.

But I agree that a full or nearly full hard drive as well as insufficient RAM can slow things down. In the case of a hard drive, mine was not only nearly full but had various errors on it according to a manufacturer's diagnostic program. When I replaced the 9-year-old, ailing HD last September with a newer one which had 100 GB more memory (only cost me $50), all my problems went away, including some I did not know were caused by the ailing HD.