[delta_7890]

As its next plan of attack in its hopes that I will hack it to pieces and end its pathetic life, my computer has developed a rather annoying problem where, when opening, closing, or sometimes, right in the middle of any task or program, it will simply stop.  Keyboard doesn't work, mouse doesn't work.  It just stops dead.  In fact, it did this just right now, as I'm typing this.  If I'm listening to Winamp, that stops playing too.  It's really getting on my nerves.  I ran AdAware *and* a virus scan, neither fixing the problem at hand.  It will 'freeze' for anywhere from a short moment to a rather lengthy moment or two.  What the hell is going on, and how can I fix this?

[Hellbender]

Well, what type of processor, version of windows, etc...

Run an old-fashioned scandisk - sometimes the simplest solution is the best.

How much disk space is left on your main hard drive - running low will cause this.  

Delete all files in C:\windows\temp - sometimes helps when programs are freezing, but long shot.

Did you install anything in the 24-48hrs before this started?  Hardware or software?

Sometimes a bad stick of RAM will cause the symptom you describe.

Make sure all the cooling fans are running, as overheating can also cause the trouble.

While you are checking the fans, check for excessive dust and hair build-up.  Hurts the cooling.  If you or anyone else smoke tobacco around the computer, slap the offender several times.

Check that all cables and expansion cards are seated properly, with no sign of damage - power off of course.

H

[delta_7890]

Well, it's a good ol' Celeron processor.  Windows XP, Home.  There's about 11gb of HD left.  New components that were installed recently..only a new printer, though that was some weeks ago, and an expansion to the USB slots.  It's getting really, really annoying here..

[Drew]

hmm... try running a registry cleaner (google for one) XP has a hellacious registry

running those has fixed a number of problems on my XP machine

[diamondgeezer]

Sounds like heat problems my pedigree chum

[delta_7890]

Trying a cleaner now.

[delta_7890]

Alright, if it's a heat/cooling problem, what should I do?

[Krackers87]

98% of the time when i have an error or caution window, it opens for less then a second and imediately closes making that windows bling soud.

I have no idea why the hell it does that

P 1.6 GHZ
256 MB Ram
GeForce 2
40GB HD 10 GB free 2GB reserved for virtual mem.

any ideas?

[StratComm]

From what I understand, the reliability of hard drives drops significantly after you fill them over something like half way.  So it might be access errors in virtual memory that's causing it.  However, unless you can be more specific as to when these errors are occuring I'm afraid I can't be of much help.

[Krackers87]

Theyre just regular errors.

Like the player not in wing error in fred. I have to use printscreen really fast to see what they say.

[StratComm]

Sounds like you have something automatically trying to close the windows then... that is very odd.  Does your mouse have an extra button assigned to "enter" or have you spilled anything on the keyboard?

[Fury]

Try to update your mobo's BIOS.