computer freezes; programs go NON RESPONSIVE

[Genealogygirl]

Computer is EXTREMELY SLOW...meaning 30 seconds after I click on Enter or enter something.....before the computer responds.  Often programs FREEZE UP.

[visruth]

Do extensive hard drive and memory tests from BIOS. 

https://support.hp.com/in-en/document/c03467259

Let it finish. Report back with results.

Manual: http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c02842278

[Genealogygirl]

You suggested "Do extensive hard drive and memory tests from BIOS. "  because my PC freezes, programs go non-responsive.

I am doing THIS email on my second computer.  The HP laptop is trying to run the Fast Test, but nothing is happening.  It has been 4 minutes, and no messages are on the screen.  Time remaining and messages are NOT on the HP laptop screen.  No failure code is on the screen.  The computer aborted (blue screen) and tried to do a big dump.  I cancelled that and turned off the computer.

The second time, the screen went totally BLACK and  nothing was visible at all on the screen; this happened during the second type of the Fast Test.  I turned off the computer.

Third time:  during the second type of the Fast Test, the entire screen went black again, and then it continued.

It completed "normally" (I guess), and all types passed.

Now running the Extensive Test.  Will take 2 hours or more.

Genealogygirl

[Genealogygirl]

The second test, the one that was to take 2+ hours, finished in about 15-20 minutes.  Everything PASSED.

Now what?

[visruth]

Is memory test passed? 

Is the slowness still there?

[Genealogygirl]

Yes, still slow, but not AS slow.  Program froze yesterday for awhile.  Also, my computer actually CLOSED the program while I was working in it.  Still I do not understand WHY the laptop is SO slow and unresponsive and unreliable!

Sandy

[Genealogygirl]

The problem persists.  I EVEN have an extra fan sitting under my laptop (the extra fan is designed to be used with laptops) to help preventing over-heating.  Programs STILL freeze, and the computer often sits IDLE for 10 seconds after I enter a phrase or do something,  Operating system is Windows 7.  SLOW computer, often freezes.

[Barachiel · Accepted solution]

@Genealogygirl

Welcome to HP forums.

I have a few steps to identify and resolve the issue: 

Common causes of slow system performance: 

• Not enough free disk space or disk errors. 

• Applications that require a lot of system resources. 

• Too many tasks running at the same time. 

• Nonessential graphic features. 

• Not enough memory. 

• Overheating due to intensive graphic applications or dust in vents. 

• Running multiple instances of anti-virus software. 

Microsoft Fix it Solution to automatically improve system performance 

To automatically improve system performance, click the Microsoft Fix it Solution: 

MS Fixit 974820 

Turning off nonessential graphical features to improve system performance 

Graphical features and programs can use a lot of system resources. 

Turning off these features can improve system performance. 

This section explains how to adjust visual effects for best performance and how to disable Windows Aero. 

Adjusting visual effects for best performance 

Disabling Windows Aero 

The best way to do that is using the HP Guided Troubleshooter:  

Click here to access it (simply select your description of the issue from the bottom of the screen to gain access to the next set of steps that should resolve your concern). 

Keep me posted. 🙂