Computer Freezing Help – Solved.
January 24th, 2020
Hello. I am having a major problem which I have not been able to solve. I am not sure whether this is a software or hardware issue, however it is vital that it be fixed. I come here to desperately seek assistance.
Problem
For the past month or so, my computer has been freezing. When it freezes, and after I have to (manually) power off the computer and restart it, the same freezing occurs later on. From what I can see, whenever it freezes, it duplicates one instance of a program and disallows any more openings of programs, and attempting ending the duplicated program fails. For a better visualization, I took a picture from my phone so you can see. Since the computer was frozen, I couldn�t take a screenshot�
http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q106/YeilKeitz/untitled2-3.jpg
Sorry about the quality, but the two main things to acknowledge in that picture is the fact that it displays two of the exact same tasks being open in processes (despite only one window being open) and their statuses are Not Responding. Also take note that this happens to almost all of my applications, not just Firefox.
Attempted Solutions
I was so fed up with being in the middle of something and then the computer rebooting. I scanned everywhere with Avast Home Edition and it picked up no viruses whatsoever. I also used Spybot S&D and Spyware Terminator. After seeing that there were no viruses being picked up, I decided it was time to reformat my HDD� So, I did indeed perform a quick-format it and reinstalled Windows XP. I had made a backup disc (two, actually, adding to over 9GB) so I installed all the plugins, put my pictures and music files back in their folders, and then I started to install things� Everything worked fine, until I began installing Nero 9. It froze at 16% and I had to reboot (Same duplication problem). I didn�t know what to say or do, so I just tried again. Same thing happened� OK, so I move on to install other programs. They work, but when I go on Firefox, it freezes and duplicates yet again.
Potential Reasons
Right now, I am thinking of three possibilities, ordered from greatest possible to least possible, in my opinion. These are all hypothetical, of course.
1. A very sneaky virus, undetectable by the latest protection, infected all my installation/plugins/etc. files thus causing some sort of glitch making programs spawn another instance of itself and freeze.
2. I have a corrupt version of Windows. I had originally owned an HP with a retail-version of Windows XP Service Pack 3 installed. However, when I tried reformatting that HDD and then using the license on this PC, it failed, and Microsoft wasn�t too helpful in letting me transfer that software I spent over $100 for to the new computer. This new installed XP I have is downloaded, I admit, however I feel it is very legitimate given the fact that I had already purchased and still own the original disc itself. When I try using that disc, however, it claims �another user is registered with this license� or something along those lines. I have used this downloaded version for a while though, and before this problem I have had other problems, but nothing similar to this.
3. Something is wrong with my hardware, and for whatever reason, every time I use certain programs at a random time they will freeze.
My Computer Specifications
Intel Core 2 Duo CPU 2.40 GHz
NVIDIA GeForce 8500 GT
1GB RAM
150GB HDD
450W Power Supply
Conclusion
Thank you for taking the time to read this far. If you have any ideas, hints, suggestions, etc., please do not hesitate to mention anything you think will help.
Of course it could be binded into an MP3, then crypted, just REFORMAT. Use a activator for XP or w/e
I already did reformat, and the XP version I have checks out as activated.
You did a quick format, do a full one.
Thank you, I will full-format next time. Any other suggestions?
reinstall firefox
one question.
Does your whole computer freeze or just firefox?
Please don't double-post, use the edit button instead-VD
The “replication” is normal. One is explorer process and one is firefox, no clue why windows does this, it just does
@:
I have already tried reinstalling Firefox, but in actuality, it freezes my entire computer. It’s not just Firefox, either.
@:
Do you have any sources with extended explanations of this?
Thank you both for replying.
This sounds like either:
1. Tv Card / Video Card freezing the computer due to outdated drivers.
2. Wrong speed of memory in the pc.
My suggestions:
1. Try using Internet Explorer, see if that does anything
2. Try checking out if the drivers need updating, if the cards are secured in properly and that the memory speed is compatible.
every software issue can be fixed by just re-installing the OS if you have your install disc its easy. Plus it will run better then the first time you turned it on after re-installing it, also put more ram in that.
hey man i had the same problem, its becouse ur computer is geting heated to much im not sure if that will solve ur problem but mine did i bought me a new water cooling system i no it costs lol but hey its worth it..
you dont realy need a water cooling system u can try get fans or move ur computer to an open space..
hey if it helps plz do message me . hope it does
edit: and yes if you play games it will happen becuz ur computer gets heated to much and it cant handle the heat so it jus freezes it self down..
and if u find any other solution plz tell me if im wrong
– Internet Explorer is irrelevant; it’s not just my browser that freezes and duplicates, this happens to various programs. I’m pretty sure my video card driver is up-to-date. What do you mean by “memory speed is compatible”?
– I thought it would be fixed, unfortunately even after I reformatted and reinstalled my OS, the same problem formed.
– That’s interesting and a possibility. If all else fails I will look into this.
Thanks for all of your responses.
I just added another gigabyte of RAM, and it hasn’t frozen yet. It froze before that after the RegFix/Cleaner/Memtest..now with 2GB RAM, I will see if it will improve the situation. It has yet to freeze, but if it does, I will do a full-format and proceed from there.
lolkatz…. go get a MAC
hey let me know if ur computer is working perfect with the ram’s
It’s working a lot better; I notice it is freezing a lot less. I’m going to add another gigabyte soon too.
Close firefox and type %userprofile%\Application Data.
The rename Mozilla folder as Mozilla_backup and restart firefox.
I ended up doing a full-reformat and I haven’t experienced any replication freezes as of yet. Thanks to all who helped, I suppose this can be considered “solved.”
I ended up doing a full-reformat and I haven't experienced any replication freezes as of yet. Thanks to all who helped, I suppose this can be considered "solved."
glad its working man!
I ended up doing a full-reformat and I haven't experienced any replication freezes as of yet. Thanks to all who helped, I suppose this can be considered "solved."
i’ev noticed it goes well for few days and it mite happen again .
#3.3 Topics must be submitted to the relevant forums. Please read the forum descriptions before posting.
Moving to helpdesk as it has nothing to do with programming.
Not to bump a really old topic, but to anyone who is having a familiar problem… I actually found out that the problems were caused by the combo of avast and ZoneAlarm…they are not compatible and make your browsers freeze. The fix is ending the process “ashWebSv.exe.” This makes avast and ZoneAlarm work.