What steps can we take to prevent our notebook from locking up?

Answer 1

Go to http://www.download.com and download 3 programs (they are free.
adaware Se
spybot search and destroy
free avg antivirus

Install them one at a time, and run them one at a time,
reboot the computer
run them again.

First install free avg. after you have installed it, get rid of your virus program (this one is free, and better)

Next is spybot search and destroy (you need to install and run, reboot and run again) Also run this one every 2 weeks, but make sure you download updates first, then immunize, then search and destroy.

Next run adaware. This one needs to be run about every 2 weeks, more often if you go crazy on the internet. Click on the update icon (the world icon at the top) and download the updates, before running it each time). Then you have to click the boxes of the errors found, and then delete them.

Hope this is not too much information

Answer 2

Nothing,because anything electronic, or mechanical can fail at any time, and usually at the worst possible moment, according to the Peter Principle.