Help - Computer freezes for split second then works fine

[sunnykatt]

My computer has started freezing for a split second and then it works fine. It will do this over and over.  This happens when in word processing software, on the internet scrolling pages, or when playing games.  I've scanned the hard drive, cleaned all temporary and internet files, made sure windows is up to date, and defragged.  Does anyone have any idea why it is doing this? Thanks. 

[patio]

System specs ? ?
Any new hardware installed recently ? ?
Size of HDD and available free space ? ?

[sunnykatt]

Windows XP Pro ver 5.1, Serv Pack 3, hard drive 300 gb, used 92, free 178; AMD Athlon 64, 2.00 GB mem, 400 MHZ

Installed a new network adapter - Linksys a month or two ago.

[westom]

My computer has started freezing for a split second and then it works fine. ...  I've scanned the hard drive, cleaned all temporary and internet files, made sure windows is up to date, and defragged. 

  None of those would solve such problems.  Better is to see the problem before trying to fix it.  For example, that is what Task Manager does.

  A delay could be identified by a task consuming lots of CPU time.  Or by a task reporting a large number of page faults.  Just two numbers to monitor when the short lockup occurs.  Once the offending task is IDed, then you can move on to a solution.

  Use Windows Help, Control Panel, or Cntrl-Alt-Del to find Task Manager.

[sunnykatt]

I show files
wmiprvse.exe using 25,588k mem with 227,672 page faults
Wacom_tablet.exe has 58,049 page faults
avgrsx.exe 55,004 peak mem and 3,728,150 page faults
avgwdsvc.exe with 232,276 page faults
jqs.exe has over 8,458,961 page faults
avgidsagent.exe has 8,470,107 page faults
AVG is the virus scan

[westom]

I show files
wmiprvse.exe using 25,588k mem with 227,672 page faults
Wacom_tablet.exe has 58,049 page faults ...

  Those would be total page faults.  I should have said (I believe it is called) delta page faults.

  If page faults correspond with lockups, you need more memory.  Most of the loaded programs are swapped out to disk drive.  If the OS must swapp out to 'virtual memory' too often (due to insufficient RAM), then CPU spends more time at 0% while waiting for the code to be reloaded by something always extremely slow - disk drive. 

[sunnykatt]

Thought it might be something like that.  I'll take off the cover and take a look inside.  Thanks.

[Broni]

you need more memory

?? He has 2GB of RAM - more than enough.

Download Process Explorer: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896653.aspx
Unzip ProcessExplorer.zip, and double click on procexp.exe to run the program.
Click on View > Select Colunms.
In addition to already pre-selected options, make sure, the Command Line is selected, and press OK.
Go File>Save As, and save the report as Procexp.txt.
Attach the file to your next reply.

[sunnykatt]

Here's the report!  Thanks.

[attachment deleted by admin]

[westom]

Here's the report!  Thanks.

  Whether using Task Manager or Process Explorere (Task Manager on steroids),  first enable fields to monitor such as delta page faults.  Useful information is real time.  A snapshot will rarely show anything useful.   You are looking for numbers that correspond with when the lockup occurs.  You are looking for a trend; not a status report.

[Quantos]

  Whether using Task Manager or Process Explorere (Task Manager on steroids),  first enable fields to monitor such as delta page faults.  Useful information is real time.  A snapshot will rarely show anything useful.   You are looking for numbers that correspond with when the lockup occurs.  You are looking for a trend; not a status report.

What?

[globaltel]

If page faults correspond with lockups, you need more memory.  Most of the loaded programs are swapped out to disk drive.  If the OS must swapp out to 'virtual memory' too often . Or better still you can talk to us at:

Link Removed

[sunnykatt]

Broni, I don't know if I replied or not that the computer has 2 GB of ram and that's all it will recognize.  I wasn't running any programs when I generated the report.  Even now while I'm typing this, there is hesitation about every 20 or so characters.  I have a 500 GB external drive.  Would it help to load some of the larger programs along with the Wacom tablet on there or will that may any difference at all? Thanks.  Kathy

[Broni]

I can see, Deferred Procedure Calls service is eating up 13.95% of your CPU at the moment.
It's not a huge percentage, but it's not not normal.
Any recent computer changes (hardware, software)?

Download HijackThis:
http://www.trendsecure.com/portal/en-US/tools/security_tools/hijackthis/download
by clicking on Download HijackThis Installer
Install, and run it.
Post HijackTHis log.
Do NOT attempt to fix anything!

NOTE. If you're using Vista, right click on HijackThis, and click Run as Administrator

[sunnykatt]

Here's the file. Thanks.  Kathy

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