BleepingComputer.com: Computer hesitates every few seconds and freezes a few seconds then starts this cycle over again

Hi, I have a very frustrating problem that just reared its ugly head last night. My computer started hesitating every few seconds, freezes, then starts the cycle all over again. It's difficult to do anything: browse the internet, use applications, or even type this post. I have not added any new hardware or programs recently except I upgraded Firefox last week but it has been running fine up until last night. Plus I uninstalled Firefox and it is still doing the same thing. I have Windows XP home version. So far I have deleted several programs and many other things from my computer that I could do without, I've checked my page file to see if it was correct and it was at the suggested amount, I scanned it with Norton's and it found no viruses, I scanned with Malbytes Anti-Malware and it found nothing infected, I opened up my hard drive case and cleaned/blew out the dust however it wasn't that dirty since I do this on occasion, I made sure my memory was not slipping out, I tried to defragment but my computer said that I do not need to at this time, I restored my computer back to a previous date. None of these things have made a difference. I was sure at least restoring it back would do the trick but it did not.
I'm confused to what the problem is and through my research can't seem to figure this one out on my own.
Does anyone have any suggestions or has anyone had similar problems?

This post has been edited by alliecatt: 19 July 2010 - 03:13 PM

Run hard drive diagnostics: http://www.tacktech.com/display.cfm?ttid=287 (or http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/ind...ive+diagnostic)
Make sure, you select tool, which is appropriate for the brand of your hard drive.
Depending on the program, it'll create bootable floppy, or bootable CD.
If downloaded file is of .iso type, use ImgBurn: http://www.imgburn.com/ to burn .iso file to a CD (select "Write image file to disc" option), and make the CD bootable.

NOTE. If your hard drive is made by Toshiba, unfortunately, you're out of luck, because Toshiba doesn't provide any diagnostic tool.

=======================================================================================

A. If you have more than one RAM module installed, try starting computer with one RAM stick at a time.

NOTE Keep in mind, the manual check listed above is always superior to the software check, listed below. DO NOT proceed with memtest, if you can go with option A

B. If you have only one RAM stick installed...
...run memtest...

1. Download - Pre-Compiled Bootable ISO (.zip)
2. Unzip downloaded memtest86+-....iso.zip file.
3. Inside, you'll find memtest86+-....iso file.
4. Download, and install ImgBurn: http://www.imgburn.com/
5. Insert blank CD into your CD drive.
6. Open ImgBurn, and click on Write image file to disc
7. Click on Browse for a file... icon:



8. Locate memtest86+-....iso file, and click Open button.
9. Click on ImgBurn green arrow to start burning bootable memtest86 CD:



10. Once the CD is created, boot from it, and memtest will automatically start to run.

The running program will look something like this depending on the size and number of ram modules installed:




It's recommended to run 5-6 passes. Each pass contains very same 8 tests.

This will show the progress of the test. It can take a while. Be patient, or leave it running overnight.



The following image is the test results area:



The most important item here is the “errors” line. If you see ANY errors, even one, most likely, you have bad RAM.

I would check first...for possible overheating.

Cleanliness, temperatures, fans working, error messages...these would be the clues I use.

When a system overheats, there won't be be a direct message indicating such...but there may be errors which otherwise cannot be explained.

A tool you may want to use, SpeedFan, http://www.almico.com/sfdownload.php

Louis

Quote

Broni, I got about that far but got an error while burning the disc two separate times. So I was unable to make a bootable disc. I have however tested my memory a few months ago using another program and it came back that my memory was fine.
Could it be my power supply?

Louis, I have a pretty clean hard drive, the fan is fairly free of dust and the temperature doesn't seem too out of the ordinarily high.

I will try the hard drive diagnostics and see what comes up. If anything, I will post that info.

Well there wasn't a diagnostics listed for Acer hard drives so I wasn't able to run the diagnostic.

Acer doesn't make hard drives...open the system and take a look at the drive and see who the manufacturer is, please.

An alternative is go into Device Manager...click on Disk Drives...write down the detail and then look up the manufacurer, using Google, if it isn't obvious.

Louis

This post has been edited by hamluis: 19 July 2010 - 05:12 PM

For some reason I thought Seagate had something to do with Acer and I followed your instruction and went into the device manager to find the hard drive manufacturer. It didn't specifically say but there was this number: st3200827AS which I googled. It seems that is it in fact a Seagate (Barracuda?) hard drive. I'll try the diagnostics for Seagate.

Just an update. I tried the Seagate hard drive diagnostics but every time I opened the program, I got a program error saying that "an error was encountered and the program needs to close". I'm still clueless what's wrong.

Which Seagate tool are you using?
Did it create bootable CD?

I downloaded the Seagate SeaTools for Windows that was in the link you provided for hard drive diagnostics. I ran a short drive self test and a short generic test. When I tried to run the longer tests, I got a BSOD. I get a BSOD occasionally and have tried to update drivers and update Windows but I still get it randomly. I've had problems with this Acer since I've had it and Acer customer support offered me no support. I have been so frustrated that I just ordered a Dell with Windows 7 yesterday. I hope I have better luck with it than I've had with Acer!

Pretty drastic move, but...good luck with Dell

Yes it certainly is drastic but I've stretched the life out of this PC as long as I can I'm afraid. I've reformatted it so many times (as a last resort) because of the problems it's had and I just thought it was time to start fresh before I pulled all my hair out. Now I can put this Acer out of its misery.
Thanks for your help though and I hope I have much better luck with the Dell too!

I fully understand.
Once in a while, we need a new toy

Pricey toy but well worth my sanity.