Computer Freezes and Becomes Unusable

[Melita-s]

Acer 5250 laptop/Windows 7 Home Premium

All computer operations are degraded as described below. I usually keep the computer on ‘Sleep’ mode overnight. The problem always starts when I have been working on it for about 10 minutes, after I ‘wake’ the computer in the morning.

Browsers: Firefox and Internet Explorer both take 60 to 90 seconds to open with a further 20 to 30 seconds for the home page to load fully - All add-ons disabled.

Windows Explorer takes 30 seconds to open and a further 15 seconds to load the default page with Libraries.

To open any library – 20 to 30 seconds.

A plain and simple empty notepad - 20 seconds.

Even the Start Menu - 20 seconds.

Mouse cursor arrow becomes stuck on the screen.

The cooling fan seems to be laboring.

In short there is nothing of the computer that is not affected by this degradation.

Re-starting does not help.

If the problem crops up while a browser or any other system or application window is open, everything freezes and the computer becomes unusable. The mouse cursor turns to the hour glass symbol indicating activity and stays that way, but everything is frozen. Unable to do anything; even to close a browser, a tab or a window takes about 3 minutes after I click to close.

The only choice I have is to leave the computer, frozen as it is for 20 to 30 minutes. When I come back after that, everything is normal and the computer behaves as if it was never up to any mischief! This happy situation prevails for the rest of the day, but towards evening, the whole drama is played again exactly as it did in the morning. Just like in the morning it lasts for 20 to 30 minutes.

I did find something I think is significant. Any attempt to switch off the computer (after closing all programs that I had running at the time), results in the usual “Waiting for background programs to close” window, of Win 7, to appear and remain blank for about 90 seconds. At the end of 90 seconds, the message, “Task host is executing shutdown tasks and stopping tasks that are already running” message appears in that window. Altogether it takes about 1 minute 45 seconds for the “logging off” screen to appear and the Shut down process to begin. This message, “Task host is executing………..” started appearing only from the time that I started having this problem, 2 months ago. Before that, since I got the computer 4 years ago, I never saw this message. When I restart after shutting down, the start up is quite fast and normal.

When the computer is not affected by this problem both Shut down and Start up is quite fast and normal.

When it is not misbehaving the computer works as good and as fast as it did, when I bought it in 2011.

I have scanned and cleaned the computer with ESET on line scanner, Adwcleaner, and Ccleaner. Only the Babylon toolbar was found and removed. What else can I do? I need help very badly

Thank you,

[Joe A.TT]

Have you checked to see if your laptop is dirty inside? That is one of the first things I would check. You could monitor the hardware to see if maybe the temperature is higher than normal. Try running a program like the free and popular SpeedFan to see if you can pinpoint anything that may be amiss.

It sometimes helps to provide extra information on your system, e.g. CPU, RAM, etc, etc. An easy way to do this is to run Speccy and post a link with your specs. (Tip: You can download the portable version and delete it afterwards). In Speccy, click File→Publish Snapshot then follow the prompts to copy the link to the clipboard and paste it here.

[Anupam]

Why do you leave the computer running overnight? Is the computer needed on the whole time for some reason?

If there is no reason to leave it on, then just turn off the computer, and give it some rest. I think that the issues you are having are caused for two reasons (although I could be wrong as I am not an expert)... the computer components specially the CPU being heated up because of long hours of operation, and the sleep mode.

Have you done a spring cleaning lately? CPU fan can get clogged with dust, and that can cause problems.

I have never liked the sleep function.. my own personal opinion. My computer remains on for most of the day, and I use the screensaver, and then the display off, to save power. I do not use the sleep mode. I turn off the computer when I go to sleep.

I guess the sleep mode on your computer is causing some problems... for reasons unknown. Someone with more knowledge might share more about it.

[Melita-s]

Originally Posted by Joe A.TT

Have you checked to see if your laptop is dirty inside? That is one of the first things I would check.

This, I have not been able to do. Sometime back, for months I tried to find the disassembly instruction for this Acer model but without success. I went to every possible website on the Internet and found the details for dozens of Acer models but not this one. I even wrote to Acer, Taiwan, where my laptop was assembled but they refused to give me this information. I am reluctant to try this because I might pry up at the wrong place and do some damage. I have looked through the air intake grill and the fan seems quite clean. Perhaps because I always keep the laptop well covered at all times, that I am not actually using it. There isn't any dust even on the air intake grill. There is one panel that I was able to open because it was secured with screws, so it was straight forward. That is where there is access to the Hard Drive and the memory cards. There were only some very faint spots of dust, hardly visible. Nevertheless I used a blower and cleaned it up.

Originally Posted by Joe A.TT

You could monitor the hardware to see if maybe the temperature is higher than normal. Try running a program like the free and popular SpeedFan to see if you can pinpoint anything that may be amiss.

Do I just run the programme and wait for the results or have I to do any tweeking.I couldn't find any instructions on what to do, on the web site.

Originally Posted by Joe A.TT

It sometimes helps to provide extra information on your system, e.g. CPU, RAM, etc, etc. An easy way to do this is to run Speccy and post a link with your specs. (Tip: You can download the portable version and delete it afterwards). In Speccy, click File→Publish Snapshot then follow the prompts to copy the link to the clipboard and paste it here.

I did this and here is the link:

[edited]

There is something wrong with my Windows clip board. It doesn't open when I click on 'Copy to clipboard'. I manually copied it to Notepad and pasted here.

Originally Posted by Anupam

Why do you leave the computer running overnight? Is the computer needed on the whole time for some reason?

If there is no reason to leave it on, then just turn off the computer, and give it some rest. I think that the issues you are having are caused for two reasons (although I could be wrong as I am not an expert)... the computer components specially the CPU being heated up because of long hours of operation, and the sleep mode.

Oh, about every 5 days I switch off and give it a rest. Since the trouble started, many times I tried switching off at night but it did not resolve the problem.

Originally Posted by Anupam

I have never liked the sleep function.. my own personal opinion. My computer remains on for most of the day, and I use the screensaver, and then the display off, to save power.

Though the computer is on, I do the same thing during the day. I am not really a power user. Most of the day the computer is idling. From time to time when I have to check something on the Internet I go and do that. On an average day the actual usage is something like one hour.

Thank you,

[Anupam]

Originally Posted by Melita-s

This, I have not been able to do. Sometime back, for months I tried to find the disassembly instruction for this Acer model but without success. I went to every possible website on the Internet and found the details for dozens of Acer models but not this one.

Try searching for opening/disassembly for the model number on YouTube. Chances are, you might find it.

Anyways, if you do not feel comfortable, then do not open the laptop on your own. I have tried personally opening my laptop, and have broken a part of the side while trying to pry it open.. so, these things do happen.

Originally Posted by Melita-s

Do I just run the programme and wait for the results or have I to do any tweeking.I couldn't find any instructions on what to do, on the web site.

Just run SpeedFan, it will display the temperatures and all. It will be self-explanatory.. no need to make any tweaks.

Originally Posted by Melita-s

There is something wrong with my Windows clip board. It doesn't open when I click on 'Copy to clipboard'. I manually copied it to Notepad and pasted here.

It doesn't work that way (if it does, someone please correct me ). When you use "Copy to clipboard", the stuff just gets copied there, and then you it will appear when you paste it somewhere... in your case, the Notepad.

There are clipboard software, however, with advanced functions, like multiple copying and selective pasting, and will do what you probably want.

--------

Melita, I had a look at the power settings from your Speccy report... and my advice would be to change Power Settings. Change the setting for "turning off hard drive" to 0 min... that is, never... on both battery, and AC power.

Monitor down time can be increased too, although that is not concerned with the issue.

You can read this article for power settings:

http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/windows...des-explained/

[Sope]

How much RAM do you have?
How many programs do you have running in the background?
Does this slow down only happen immediately after waking up from sleep mode or a restart, or does it happen at random times?
Have you installed any new software recently?

The freezes may be related to heavy RAM or CPU activity? Answering some of these questions may help point you in the right direction.

[Joe A.TT]

Melita, what's the model number of your Acer laptop? I'll have a look around and see if I have better luck than you.

As Anupam says, you don't have to change any settings in SpeedFan, but just in case, I found an article you may want to read.

And oh, are you able to check Task Manager when these slowdown occur? You could also make a note of the time and check Event Viewer for clues.

Originally Posted by Melita-s

It doesn't open when I click on 'Copy to clipboard'.

Melita, when you copy something to the Windows Clipboard you won't see any window or other indication that something was copied to the Clipboard. The only way to know if something is in the Clipboard is to right-click a target where you want to paste the Clipboard's contents. When you right-click, if "Paste" is not greyed out, then there's something in the Clipboard. On the other hand, if "Paste" is greyed out it means there's nothing in the Clipboard.

Also, I don't think Sleep is meant to be used as you are using it. It is rather unfortunate that Microsoft wasn't more specific about when to use Sleep and Hibernate. Instead, when they use loose terminology like "extended period", they invite speculation as to when either feature should be used. IMHO, it would be better to completely shut down your computer every night. As for sleep, you should use it if you are taking a break of between 5 - 45 minutes. Hibernate can be used if you are working on a project and you are breaking off for a longer period but want to return to the exact place where you left off. And yes, it is recommended that you restart your computer every so often. Doing so can solve mysterious issues and allow the operating system to "rejuvenate" itself.

Anupam, can you be more specific about the security issues involved in posting a Speccy report? They do it all the time over at Bleeping Computer.

[Anupam]

Originally Posted by Joe A.TT

Anupam, can you be more specific about the security issues involved in posting a Speccy report? They do it all the time over at Bleeping Computer.

Actually, the report she shared had IP address, and other network related information, which can be sensitive. That's why I removed the link.

What you asked for can be done by just posting the summary, which I have advised her to do. If anyone needs more, they can be specific, and she can just post what is needed... no need for the full report, which was pretty big anyways.

[Melita-s]

Originally Posted by Anupam

Melita, I had a look at the power settings from your Speccy report... and my advice would be to change Power Settings. Change the setting for "turning off hard drive" to 0 min... that is, never... on both battery, and AC power

I did this a few minutes ago.

Originally Posted by Sope

How much RAM do you have?
How many programs do you have running in the background?

Please see attachment for Speccy report. I have deleted Network information, and to shorten the report, also the Microsoft update list which is very long.

MELITA-PC.zip

Originally Posted by Sope

Does this slow down only happen immediately after waking up from sleep mode or a restart, or does it happen at random times?

I usually keep the computer on ‘Sleep’ mode overnight. The problem always starts when I have been working on it for about 10 minutes, after I ‘wake’ the computer in the morning. When it happens in the evening (as mentioned in my first post), it is usually once only, at a random time.

Originally Posted by Sope

Have you installed any new software recently?

No. In any event I restored the computer to a date prior to the start of the problem but it did not resolve it.

Originally Posted by Joe A.TT

Melita, what's the model number of your Acer laptop? I'll have a look around and see if I have better luck than you.

Acer 5250-BZ479. If you can`t find the exact one, the second part BZ479 may not be that important.

Originally Posted by Joe A.TT

As Anupam says, you don't have to change any settings in SpeedFan, but just in case, I found an article you may want to read.

Thank you for this one. Here is a screen shot of the Speedfan findings.

Capture.JPG

Originally Posted by Joe A.TT

And oh, are you able to check Task Manager when these slowdown occur? You could also make a note of the time and check Event Viewer for clues.

May not be able to open the Task manager when it is frozen (I will try anyway), but Event Viewer is possible when it comes back to normal.

I got it all about the Clipboard. About `sleep` mode, I have been mislead. Once I read a post in a Microsoft forum, to the effect that it is a good idea to leave the computer in sleep mode overnight, so that it will start faster the next morning. This post was by one of their MVPs!

I have sent you a private message.

Regards,

[kendall.a]

I got it all about the Clipboard. About `sleep` mode, I have been mislead. Once I read a post in a Microsoft forum, to the effect that it is a good idea to leave the computer in sleep mode overnight, so that it will start faster the next morning. This post was by one of their MVPs!

I know that earlier Anupam suggested that you turn off your computer every night. I don't do that. In fact, I probably hardly ever turn off my computer. I may re-boot it once a week or so, but I seldom ever turn it off.

You will find competing arguments online about whether it's best to turn a computer off at night or if you should leave it turned on. For me, I have my computer do some work while I'm sleeping. For example, I backup my files while I'm sleeping both to Mozy.com and to my external HD. I run a disk defrag at night once per week. I have my antivirus do it's updates and scan my computer at night when I sleep. I have all these things scheduled at specific times so that they don't overlap.

I know that this doesn't address at all the bigger issues that you are facing, but I just thought I'd share with you that lots of people leave their computers on all night.

P.S. I do not, however, use sleep mode or hibernation. I do have my monitor shut itself off after an hour of inactivity, but I do not sleep or hibernate my computer.