Repeated "Not Responding" Messages in Windows 8 Pro

VideoSavant

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I saw the other thread here about "Windows 8 Pro Randomly Freezing," but I think I'm seeing something slightly different. In my case, I'm getting random, repeated instances of various desktop applications temporarily "locking up" and displaying a "Not Responding" message in the title bar of the effected app.

I see this most commonly in Firefox (32-bit version, v17.0 release). These lock-ups last roughly a minute. It seems to help to minimize the Firefox window (yes, even when not responding, window controls are operative) and then restore it. It will still display the "Not Responding" message, but this seems to clear within 10 or 15 seconds. Not sure this is a fix, and it could be coincidental.

While I initially thought my problem was Firefox, I'm seeing it in other apps, including Evernote and Windows Explorer. I think on a couple of occasions I actually saw this "Not Responding" message appear in dialog boxes.

Is anyone else seeing something similar, and does anyone have any suggestions for a workaround/fix? Very annoying.

Thanks.
 

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brummyfan,

You may not believe this. I tried both of your suggestions a few hours ago. During that period, no more lags or "Not Responding" messages. So, I came here to send you a thank you, and in the course of typing my message, the keyboard stopped responding and the "Not Responding" message did an encore.

Still, I appreciate the suggestion.
 

My Computer

System One

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    Windows 7, Service Pack 1
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    Homebrew
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    Intel Q8300
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    Gigabyte EP43-UD3L
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    6 GB
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    Samsung SA300
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brummyfan,

Thanks for the suggestion on Refresh. I'll give that a try sometime next week, as I've got a couple things up in the air and don't have the time right now to try this.

I appreciate your help.
 

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    Intel Q8300
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    Gigabyte EP43-UD3L
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    6 GB
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    Samsung SA300
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Hi VideoSavant, I'm also having 'Not Responding Messages' but with only one program, namely Thunderbird 17. However they are very infrequent and I've just raised the point with a TB Forum.
However I do have a suggestion that may help with your FF17.
First I see you are on W8 64 bit with FF at 32 bit. About two months prior to installing W8 64 bit and knowing FF was 32 bit I installed Waterfox, which is a 64 bit version of FF. Both in the final 2 months with W7 and now the month with W8 I find it has behaved perfectly. This suggests to me that these 'faults' with TB and FF 32 bit versions may be the cause?
As stated Waterfox 64 bit is fine and hopefully they may soon have a TB 64 bit that is comfortable on W8 64 bit.
Good luck & hope this helps.
 

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    AMD FX(tm)-4100 Quad-Core. 3.60GHz.
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    ASUS
    Memory
    4GB
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    AMD Radeon HD7700 series
Thanks for the suggestion, Yorky. I had used the 64-bit version of Firefox in the past (via Nightlys). I can't remember why I went back to the 32-bit version (maybe the perpetual beta status of the 64-bit version). Anyway, this morning I downloaded the latest 64-bit Firefox Nightly (20.0a1 (2012-12-06)), and already I've seen two instances of the pauses and the "Not Responding" message.

I guess I'm going to need to bite the bullet and do a Windows 8 Refresh. One of my reservations in doing this is I'm running a VPN and proxy, and it took a number of steps to get Metro apps to work with the proxy. In the end, I wonder if the Proxy (or the fix to get it working with Metro apps) might be part of my issue.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7, Service Pack 1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Homebrew
    CPU
    Intel Q8300
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte EP43-UD3L
    Memory
    6 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVidia GForce 8400 GS
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SA300
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
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    Kingston SV300S37A120G SSD
    Western Digital WD3200AAJS-65VWA0
    Hitachi HDS721010CLA332
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    Mouse
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    Microsoft Security Essentials
Hi again VideoSavant, As per my earlier reply; I am using Waterfox 64 bit version and NOT from 'nightly builds. Waterfox shares the same data base so that all your settings and contacts are auto installed.
I've used it now for 4 months including with W8 64 bit since day one without any problems whatsoever. Try Waterfox and see how you go.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro 64 bit
    System Manufacturer/Model
    pcspecialists. Fusion450
    CPU
    AMD FX(tm)-4100 Quad-Core. 3.60GHz.
    Motherboard
    ASUS
    Memory
    4GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD7700 series
I saw the other thread here about "Windows 8 Pro Randomly Freezing," but I think I'm seeing something slightly different. In my case, I'm getting random, repeated instances of various desktop applications temporarily "locking up" and displaying a "Not Responding" message in the title bar of the effected app.

I see this most commonly in Firefox (32-bit version, v17.0 release). These lock-ups last roughly a minute. It seems to help to minimize the Firefox window (yes, even when not responding, window controls are operative) and then restore it. It will still display the "Not Responding" message, but this seems to clear within 10 or 15 seconds. Not sure this is a fix, and it could be coincidental.

While I initially thought my problem was Firefox, I'm seeing it in other apps, including Evernote and Windows Explorer. I think on a couple of occasions I actually saw this "Not Responding" message appear in dialog boxes.

Is anyone else seeing something similar, and does anyone have any suggestions for a workaround/fix? Very annoying.

Thanks.
I have the same problem . the difference is that after a wile it working well. It is annoying , I don't know what to do to fix this... I'm thinking that I might have a virus that is not detected :(...any help out there?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8
The problem is caused by Flashplayer plugin (13.0R)

A work around to prevent it from locking up firefox is to run it as an administrator.

Right click your firefox icon, select properties, then compatibility , then run as admin.

When you do this, you will get loads of error messages concerning flash player (though still functional).
But it prevents flash player from locking firefox into a loop.

I have no idea how to solve the latest flashplayer issue, older versions do still work!!!

Hope it helps you guys ;-)
 

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Why such an old version of FF ?. Newer ones are much faster and with less problems.
 

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Why such an old version of FF ?. Newer ones are much faster and with less problems.
Was probably avoidng the Aquarius(?) redesign
 

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  • OS
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    Laptop
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    I love it!
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