HP15 started freezing.

[GeorgeEstabrook]

The computer has been working fine for many years.  Yesterday it was frozen on the startup screen where it shows the date and time. After having to reboot it via the POWER BUTTON being pressed for 5 or 10 seconds it freezes up after a few minutes.  It doesn't seem to matter whether or not I log in or not.  The time quits updating and no keys work, such as CTRL-ALT-DEL

I have run the SYSTEM TESTS that you can run after hitting ESC during rebooting and they report no problems.

FYI: It does NOT matter if I login or not.

During the few minutes I have, it seems to work okay.  I then lose clock, mouse, keyboard etc..  The screen just sits frozen displaying whatever it was doing at the time.

[A4Apollo]

Hey there! @GeorgeEstabrook, Thanks for stopping by the HP Support Forums!

I understand you have freezing issues with your PC.

Don't worry I'll try to help you out.

Did you make any hardware or software changes on your PC?

Try updating the BIOS and chipset driver on your PC and check if it helps.

You can try updating the drivers using HP support assistant.

Refer this article to know more information about using HP support assistant.

If the issue still persists after trying out the steps try the steps recommended below.

Use the steps in this section to help find the cause of the lockup:
Disconnect all devices to the PC with the exception of keyboard and mouse and/or monitor required for minimal use.
Remove any discs from the CD/DVD drives.
If Windows becomes active again, clean, repair, or replace the disc. Troubleshooting is complete.
If the lockup persists, continue troubleshooting using these steps.
While holding down the Alt key on the keyboard, press the F4 key to close the application.
If Windows becomes active again, the problem is related to an application. Save your work and restart the computer. Remember the name of the application that stopped responding or caused the error. Update or remove applications that continue to lock up. Troubleshooting is complete.
If the lockup persists, continue troubleshooting using these steps.
Press the Ctrl+Shift+Esc keys to open Task Manager.
Review the list of applications under Processes and look for applications that have stopped responding. Make a note of the names of those applications or programs.
Select an application that is not responding, and then click End Task.
A Microsoft Windows error message might appear: Windows Explorer has stopped working. Windows may check to see if there is a solution for the problem or prompt you to close the program. Or, if you see If you can’t see the taskbar and desktop icons, press Windows key and type Explorer….”
If you can’t see the taskbar and desktop icons, press the Windows key and type Explorer in the field and click OK to restart File Explorer.
Continue clicking End Task for applications that are not responding until all unresponsive applications are removed from the list.

Refer this article to further troubleshoot lock up or freezing issues with PC.

If the issue still persists try running SFC scan on your PC and check if it helps.

To start the process, you will need to be in the Administrator Command Prompt window. To do this, right-click on the Windows/Start button in the bottom left corner of your screen. Then click ‘Command Prompt (Admin).

Then type in sfc/scannow and press Enter to run the application. This needs to be left for around 5-10 minutes to run correctly and outline any issues. If there are no issues the message ‘Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations’ will appear.

Hope to hear from you soon!

Have a great day! 🙂

Please click "Accept as Solution" if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.

Click the "Kudos, Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say "Thanks" for helping!

[GeorgeEstabrook]

Computer will not stay running long enough to do any tests. Freezes in 2 to 4 minutes in general.

Have no disks (CD/DVD) in.

Only powers up with the power cord plugged in.

Will freeze up before I can launch any App.

Note: It also freezes up if I boot it up but do not log in.

CTRL ALT DEL will not work after the freeze.

SFC Scan - Computer freezes before I can run it.  Tried many times.

No messages displaying, just a complete freeze of the computer, including the clock.

NOTE:  Battery is dead, it only works when the power is plugged in.

[A4Apollo]

@GeorgeEstabrook, Thanks for your quick response and time.

I appreciate your efforts for trying out the steps.

As you mentioned the issue still persists after trying out the steps.

As you mentioned your laptop freezes when you run the system diagnostics.

Try restoring the BIOS to default and check if it helps.

1. Turn off the computer and wait five seconds.
2. Press the Power button to start the computer and repeatedly press the F10 key to enter the BIOS setup menu.
3. On the BIOS Setup screen, press F9 to select and load the BIOS Setup Default settings.
4. Press F10 to Save and Exit.
5. Use the arrow keys to select Yes, then press Enter when asked Exit Saving Changes?
6. Follow the prompts to restart your computer.

If the issue still persists after trying out the steps. It is a hardware issue with your laptop.

Please contact HP support for service options.

Link to contact HP.

I'll watch your reply!

Take Care! 🙂

Please click “Accept as Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.

Click the “Kudos, Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!

[GeorgeEstabrook]

I just tried it.  The computer rebooted and the clock froze.  A possible difference is that I can still move the mouse.  But none of the programs along the task bar ever loaded and if I move the mouse/cursor down to the task bar area it just gives me a spinning circle.  

I tried CTRL ALT DEL and nothing happens.

Tried the WINDOWS key, nothing....

Not looking good....

Any further idea?

[A4Apollo]

@GeorgeEstabrook, Thanks for your quick response and time.

I appreciate your efforts for trying out the steps.

As you mentioned when you press CTRL ALT DEL keys and nothing happens.

Did you try restoring the BIOS to defaults?

If you are unable to restore the BIOS to default. It could be an issue with the system board.

Please contact HP support for service options.

Link to contact HP.

Have a great day ahead!

Take Care! 🙂

Please click “Accept as Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.

Click the “Kudos, Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!

[GeorgeEstabrook]

I did RESTORE THE BIOS to the defaults.  Same results

I will attempt to contact HP support although I am past warranty and it is probably cheaper to replace at this point!

Thanks

[A4Apollo]

@GeorgeEstabrook, It's great to hear from you again.

I appreciate your efforts for trying out the steps.

As you mentioned even after restoring the BIOS to default the issue still persists.

It looks to be a hardware issue, please contact HP support for service options.

Link to contact HP.

I'll watch your reply!

Have a great day ahead! 🙂

Please click “Accept as Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.

Click the “Kudos, Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!

[GeorgeEstabrook]

I did a restore from a previous Save POint and it now works.

My worry is that after a few OS updates or driver updates it is going to start freezing again.  If that happens then it would seem to be a conflict between a new version of Windows 10 and/or some device driver and my particular computer.  If that proves to be the case I may just restore back to windows 7 and see if that solves the problem.

Wish me luck!

[A4Apollo]

@GeorgeEstabrook, Thanks for your quick response and time.

I appreciate your efforts for trying out the steps.

As you mentioned after the restoring your laptop it is functioning correctly.

So before the windows updates try updating the drivers using HP support assistant and check if it helps.

Refer this article to know more information about running system diagnostics on your PC.

Hope this helps!

Have a great day ahead! 🙂

Please click “Accept as Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.

Click the “Kudos, Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!