FREEZING

[Richard121701]

Keeps freezing even when the browser isnt even open. I know nothing about computers

[WAWood]

@Richard121701 

Given the date of your post, I would have expected someone to respond to it before this -- but since that has not happened, I will take a shot at it ...
This issue is often due to a failing drive.

So, let's check that first, because if it is failing, it would need to be replaced and there is no point then in doing anything else until we confirm that.

If your PC is new enough to support UEFI, you can use these steps to test the HDD (Hard Disk Drive): http://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c00439024

If not, to check the HDD you have to follow these steps:
1) Press Esc key repeatedly, several times a second, while rebooting the laptop. Do NOT hold the key down, just press it over and over.
2) Eventually, you will see an HP Startup Menu
3) Press the Function key for testing the hard drive (usually F2) and let it run.

If the drive checks out OK, then report that and I can provide you options for reinstalling Windows on your PC.

Please note that if your model has an SSD instead of an HDD, these diagnostics might not work properly.

[Richard121701]

I have run the test before to see if any components were failing. None of them were. But I have upgraded my ram from a 4gb to a 16gb because I noticed that is was consistently running at 3.8gb That has reduce the freezing. Now it happens primarily when I am watching Netflix any other video services. I have made sure my drives are up to date and their weren't any windows update pending. Plus I have kept Task manager running side by the side of what I was watching on YouTube and when it frozen all the stats were not very high at all. I can post the current stats of my computer if that were to better assist you in brain storming on what's wrong

[WAWood · Accepted solution]

@Richard121701 

Video streaming is quite possibly the most demanding routine thing you can do.  I do this on a multicore laptop connected to my primary TV and all the cores are driven to nearly 100% when I do this and the only reason it does not stutter is that laptop is connected using wired ethernet, not WiFi.

Problems during streaming are usually due to buffering due to low bandwidth of the Internet connection and if you are using WiFi, your only recourse, if available, is the reduce the resolution of of the source video.  I have found that I can not stream 1080i or 1080p video without stuttering and freezing.