As of a week or two, my PC freezes a lot now, always while using Internet Explorer?

Question

I have version 7.0.5730.11 if that matters. I've been running the same version for over a year, never a problem. I restart the PC and that temporarily solves the problem. I have a cable modem connection. Run-of-the-mill Windows firewall enabled, Norton Antivirus up and running - nothing new there either. Recently I ran the disk cleanup application... I have XP for an OS, home edition. Thanks.

Actually it freezes now using other apps, like Limewire. I just open the application - boom, everything freezes. And yes, when I say it freezes, I mean it freezes. I can't even open the Task Manager. Nothing. I have to crash boot out and restart. This is ridiculous. I don't think it's the browser or the Norton antivirus, they've been doing fine by me for 2 - 3 years now. I still have more than half my hard drive of free space. I fail to see what adding more RAM is going to do for me if it's never been an issue before. Come on guys, I got too much stuff in that box for me to sit there and watch it die more and more each day. Help! Thanks.

Answer 1

I would delete your version of explorer. It will revert back to IE6 and see if that helps. You can always download IE7 again if you want it.

Answer 2

When did the problem start?
What are you doing when the computer freezes?

What is the common denominator here?

If you absolutely can't pin it down, then start with the latest video driver for your monitor. If you have bandit or frilly software installed that you don't need, uninstall it. Run full system scans with your anti-virus and anti-spyware. Unload the browser add-ons you can live without.

Does your pc really freeze? Or does it just hang up for a while like it's catching up on commands?

Answer 3

You might need to add more RAM to your system. Adding RAM improves system performance and reduces the chances of your PC from freezing up.