Computer Problems

My PC freezes up quite often now. I thought it was down to the hot weather.
However, the PC is running cooler today and it makes no difference.

The problem occurs with multi-tasking and opening/closing of programmes.

I've done AV, spyware scans, defrag, and and all is OK.

I also have tools to check the RAM, hard drive and processor. They all test OK.

When the problem occurs, RAM usage goes through the roof, then down to almost
nothing, before recovery occurs.

Any ideas? Perhaps pmj might help?

Jeff Gaines...

Any ticking noises from the HD? If it's not RAM it can be bad sectors on
the HD that Windows is trying to read. What did you use to test the RAM/HD?

Saxman...

No ticking at all.

Norton System Works has a utility called Checkit Diagnostics which tests the
processor, RAM, graphics and hard drive.

I also downloaded a free utility from Microsoft which one can copy to a floppy.
Just leave it in the 'A' drive on boot-up and it tests the RAM with results.

Jeff Gaines...

You could try memtest86 and Prime95 to test the RAM, but in reality
Windows XP is probably better at testing it than any of the utilities.

Clive...

I keep my PC really 'clean'. Don't download shareware, etc, etc. Have Good
virus software (NOD32), etc. All the latest Microsoft patches. My software
has not changed in approx 6 months.

I've noticed my system slowing down more over the last 3months or so. The
only thing added to my PC are the latest round of Microsoft Security Patches
(and there has been a few recently).

I put it down to these. I especially notice Internet Explorer is a lot
slower to open.