Computer Freeze Problems

[Fire00150]

My computer has been freezing up since early summer. It started as once or twice every six hours or so, but recently has been freezing every time I try to use it.

The trouble seems to have started when I changed my wireless settings on my router to a secured network on channel 1 instead of the 9 that I was using. I don't see how these network changes could effect my computer so drastically.

I was also changing some registry options but have since changed them back to no positive effect.

At start up I am receiving an error notice that might be connected (I don't think it is but it fits the timeline.) "Spooler SubSystem App has stopped working and was closed."

The freezing seems to get worse with internet video.

All the fans work before and during the freeze.

I am running:
Operating System
   MS Windows Vista Home Basic 32-bit SP2
CPU
   Intel Pentium 4 641
   Cedar Mill 65nm Technology
RAM
   2.0GB Dual-Channel DDR2 @ 266MHz (4-4-4-12)
Motherboard
   ECS Livermore (CPU 1)
Graphics
   eView 17f2 @ 1024x768
   HP S2031 @ 1600x900
   NVIDIA GeForce GTS 450
Hard Drives
   156GB Hitachi Hitachi HDS721616PLA380 ATA Device (SATA)   49 °C
   19.6GB Seagate ST320410A ATA Device (PATA)   47 °C
Optical Drives
   TSSTcorp CD/DVDW TS-H652M ATA Device
Audio
   Realtek High Definition Audio

[Geek-9pm]

As a simple check:
Reboot in SAFE  mode and log in as the administrator.
Do NOT get on the internet.
Try doing some things that do NOT require the internet.

This can help isolate the problem. You may have a network device driver that bis not really right. But if the problem shows up even when you are in  SAFE mode and off the internet, you have another kind pf problem.

[Fire00150]

I do believe that it has something to do with the network because of the strong correlation between heavier use and freezing.

The computer runs the internet through an external wireless adapter. Would it be possible that it failing would cause this? I thought of this, but I don't see how it would.

Maybe I changed the router settings to something that is incompatible with the older adapter.