Microsoft Windows Not Responding

[Cliff S]

Then everything "should be" ok now.

I mean with the system files.

Have you tried running chkdsk(check disk) for all your drive?

 

[Dididoo]

How do I run that? Do you mean in Admin Command Prompt?

 

[Dididoo]

Ok, I also found something called SeaTools for Seagate drive products, but it recommends that I create a backup of my system files. I do have something called "Recovery Image (D", which says it contains files used to perform a system recovery. Is this a backup, or do I have to create my own?

 

[Cliff S]

In file explorer right click C: choose properties>tools>Error checking

 

[Dididoo]

Ok, thanks. It said, "Windows successfully scanned the drive. No errors were found."

 

[Cliff S]

Ok, I also found something called SeaTools for Seagate drive products, but it recommends that I create a backup of my system files. I do have something called "Recovery Image (D", which says it contains files used to perform a system recovery. Is this a backup, or do I have to create my own?

The recovery image brings you back to a fresh install. To back up your libraries just copy the folders and files to another disk.

 

[Dididoo]

Ok, thanks.

 

[Dididoo]

If I do run SeaTools, is it really going to delete important files?

 

[Cliff S]

If I do run SeaTools, is it really going to delete important files?

Someone else will have to answer that. I've never used it.

 

[Dididoo]

Ok. Is there anything else I can try, or is that all you wanted to suggested? Either way, thanks for the help.

 

[Cliff S]

Are you still having the original problem?

My computer occasionally freezes, causing all open programs/applications to stop responding (later most features, except for cursor abilities stop working as well). A window pops up at this time, titled "Microsoft Windows Not Responding". It says that, as far as I remember, "The application has stopped responding. It may respond again if you wait" or something along those lines.

 

[Dididoo]

Well at the moment I don't always get the window (when I do, I can' click any buttons on it). The freeze just starts when whatever program I am using stops responding and no option to force close it appears.

Then, if I try to use other programs they end up not responding as well. Trying to use the taskbar freezes it in the middle of its Windows Aero effects.

Sometimes I am able to open Start, but when I try to Sign Out or Shut Down the button freezes (it looks like it has been pressed but does not go past that).

If I use Windows key + L to lock or CTRL-ALT-DELETE to see the Task Manager, it sometimes ends up turning the screen completely gray so that there is no visual indication of the freeze stopping.

Some freezes ended fairly quickly and the computer continued as normal (except in some cases, where the most recent program I used closes immediately after unfreeze). Others lasted so long I just decided to force the computer to shut down using the physical power button.

 

[Cliff S]

The thing is, by your specs, you posted in post #3? You have a good system, and this shouldn't be happening(excuse me for stating the obvious). You say you're using Norton? Have you tried uninstalling it using their Norton Removal Tool to get rid of all traces(make sure you have your product key first!), and then try just using Defender a while to see if it is just using too many resources.

 

[Dididoo]

Do I have to do that? I would rather not get rid of Norton. Is it possible to disable it without uninstall? There are settings of its functions that can be toggled off, but does it still do things that I can't stop? If it is absolutely necessary to uninstall Norton to stop it, I guess I can try.

 

[Cliff S]

Try turning it off then. But then turn on Defender because you need an Anti Virus in todays internet(no matter how safe a site is). I don't know anything about Norton.

 

[Dididoo]

It seems Norton has turned off Windows Defender and I can't seem to turn it back on. When I try to open it, it pops up a window that says that the app has been turned off and isn't monitoring my computer. It also says, "If you're using another app to check for malicious or unwanted software, use Security and Maintenance to check that app's status." When I check it in Action Center, under Network Firewall, it says Norton Security is currently "Snoozing".

 

[Cliff S]

I thought that would happen, that's why I said uninstall to test. If you don't want to do that, I don't know any further, what could be using so much resources. You 'll just need to go through all your programs that startup automatically at boot and turn off some.

 

[Dididoo]

I did try a clean boot, but I still got up to 100% disk usage. I might try it again to see if it ever ends up getting a freeze.

 

[Cliff S]

You could try forcing "maintenance" instead of Automatic maintenance, which will take a while and pretty much block any real use of the PC until it's done. I recommend to do this, because it could be your system hasn't had enough time to do auto maintenance itself and maybe it's trying to catch up.

 

[Dididoo]

Finished maintenance, but I still got up to 100% and eventually a freeze.