XP PC Hanging, Freezing

[SuperDave]

I can't find any malware that would be causing this problem. The only thing I can suggest is to keep Task Manager open and when it freezes, try to see which process is causing it and stop the process to see if will correct the problem.

[dc4580]

Thanks Dave.  Got me stumped here too.  As far as keeping an eye on things through Task Manager, sure, if it is IE 8, then I will kill it if the CPU% doesn't go down after a while.  I hesitate to do the same with svchost.exe, but I suppose it won't do any harm.  Norton tasks are a little less intense, so I just usually leave them alone.   

Any suggestions on where to go from this point?  If you were to have any other recommendations, I would be happy to follow through.

[SuperDave]

I hesitate to do the same with svchost.exe, but I suppose it won't do any harm.

It won't do any harm

Any suggestions on where to go from this point?  If you were to have any other recommendations, I would be happy to follow through.

The only thing I could suggest at this point is to start a new thread in one of the software forums.

[dc4580]

I will.  Thanks much for all your help in trying to find the cause of this problem.  I appreciate it!

[SuperDave]

I will.  Thanks much for all your help in trying to find the cause of this problem.  I appreciate it!

I'll leave this thread unlocked so you can come back to let me know how things turn out.

[dc4580]

I will.  Thanks.

[dc4580]

Hi Dave,
Quick update to run down what I have gone through in the last month or so:

1.)  Ran a number of different scans which didn't find anything malicious.
2.)  Ran through an XP repair, which helped, but didn't get rid of the hang.
3.)  Added RAM so that I am now at just under 2Gig.  Made quite a noticable difference in response, but again didn't get rid of the hang.
4.)  Replaced a DVD drive, which took those CD ROM errors out of the mix, but didn't get rid of the hang.
5.)  Removed VMWare from my PC ( around 500 files and registry entries ).  That was done using IOBIT.Uninstaller.  I recommend that one for stubborn stuff.  The removal of VMWare seems to be what removed the hangs and freezes. 

So, as you can see, it wasn't AV or any one particular thing, but a combination of things happening over time, some of which I believe we had discussed, like the RAM and hardware. 

My PC is now very clean, and response is very good.  I hope to keep it that way for a while.  I intend to do a hardware and software refresh in about a year or so.
     
I just wanted to let you know the status now, and say thanks for getting me on the right path here.  I appreciate all your help.  Thank you very much.  If you want to close out this issue, i would be be fine with that.


DC4580.

[SuperDave]

You're welcome. I will lock this thread. If you need it re-opened, please send me a pm.