My PC is freezing while idle.

[Keshawn]

I have no idea why or when it first occurred but my desktop has been freezing while idle for about a week and a half. Microsoft support has used every method they can to help and they suggested it is not Windows after downloading a new version on my PC. It seems like games are not an issue as it doesn't lock-up while one is running. I can also have a video of some kind running as well with no issue. A web page using minimal resources or just sitting at the desktop will make it freeze. I have been looking at the reliability monitor but I can't make sense of it. Any tips, advice, suggestions, etc. will be much appreciated. I will also attempt to provide more information should this prove inefficient. 

[Bill_To]

Hi

You may have a hardware problem if a clean version of Windows did not help. Unusual it locks up when idle but you can run games or watch videos.

Have you tried HP diagnostics? Start the PC, Tap "ESC", select "F2".

Run system and component tests. HP diagnostics may not detect all hardware problems.

Generally you may not see problems in reliability monitor or event viewer when you have a hardware problem. A hardware lock up may not be documented.

Common hardware or hardware driver problems are: HDD/SSD, memory, graphics, power supply, USB (motherboard or CPU) or USB peripherals. I can't be more specific. You have to swap in components, one at a time, to find the failing part.

You have done a clean OS installation. The weird stuff you are experiencing is usually a memory or storage device problem, since you have done a clean OS installation.

Thermals can cause this but heat issues usually occur when stressing the CPU or the graphics card. Could be an intermittent power delivery problem associated with either the power supply or the MB.

[Keshawn]

I ran the system component test for about 3 hours until failure and nothing popped up. I exited the UEFI and the moment the standard Windows start up sound played, it froze. It has never done that since this problem has occurred. 

[Bill_To]

Hi

Sorry to hear this.

Try pulling the CR3032 MB battery when the PC is off and disconnected from AC power. Let the PC sit for while. Replace the battery. This will reset CMOS.

I think you have an intermittent  hardware problem. You would have to swap in good components until you find the bad part.  Which is not usually possible unless you have all parts on hand. Having replacement parts is very expensive.

You would need the following components:

Power supply

Ram

HDD or SSD

Graphics card

Motherboard

CPU

I would take the PC to a local PC technician.

[Keshawn]

I was fearing that. Thank you for the help though. While it was not the answer I wanted, its probably the one I need. Its a step in the right direction at least.

[Bill_To]

Hi

My pleasure.

I am sure a local PC tech can find the bad part at a fraction of the cost of buying replacement components until you find the the bad part.

You could hit the jackpot by trying a different power supply. Your odds of guessing right are around one in six.