If you have a computer freezing on Facebook games, tka. It could either be a simple, easily fixed problem or a serious issue that desperately needs your attention, but the fact remains: your computer should not be freezing on Facebook games.

Computer Freezing On Facebook Games

Computer freezes on anything is a sign of trouble. We will discuss a few possible reasons, starting with simple ones that can be easily fixed yourself. After the simple ones are tackled, more serious possibilities will be mentioned, with the recommendation that you talk to a tech oriented friend or call tech support to solve these if you feel uncomfortable or unqualified diving into such things yourself. They are also mentioned in order of likelihood.

The first thing you should do is update your Flash. You can go to Adobe.com and search “Flash Update,” then select the Flash Player to get to the update page. You can also search Google for updates from other sites as well. Usually, this will solve your problem.

If that did not fix your computer freezing problem, another possibility that could cause your computer to freeze on Facebook games is there is something wrong with your browser. This could be something as simple as your browser being outdated, or somewhere along the line some files got corrupted somehow. Try updating your browser to the latest version before anything.

If it is already at the latest version, it is possible that an add on could be getting in the way. To check to see if this is the case you should run Firefox in safe mode by selecting the Help menu at the top and clicking the option “Restart Firefox with Add-ons Disabled.” If you can play games just fine in safe mode, you should try disabling or uninstalling the add-ons one by one to see which one is causing your problem.

In the event that your browser files got corrupted somewhere down the line, your only options are to try a different browser of uninstall and reinstall the one you are using. The latter option is not an easy option for built in browsers, such as Internet Explorer on Windows, but it is possible if you dig around operating system files and know what to delete. We advise you let a tech do this if you have ruled out everything else mentioned in this article, since doing this wrong can completely mess up your computer.

Malware, such as viruses and spyware, can cause your computer to struggle doing its job. If you have noticed it running really slow lately this is probably the cause. Download and install an anti-virus software, let it update its files, and then set it to scan. Scans can take several hours to run so you should do this when you know you will not need your computer for a while. There are some viruses that are really troublesome to get rid of, and if you notice your anti-virus picking up the same ones over and over again you should talk to a computer tech about it. If you have been without anti-virus software for a while, you should also download a registry scanner to make sure you do not have an infection in the Windows Registry.

Having too many programs running can make your computer run slow, too. If you have a lot of programs launching at start up, see if you can tell them not to. While it is convenient to have certain programs start up with your computer, such as instant messaging programs, they eat up computer resources even if they are just sitting there in your tray. Usually, this option is located somewhere in the Settings menus.

The next two options are much more involved issues that the average computer user should not attempt to resolve them by themselves.

Computer Freezing On Facebook Games Could Be The Video Drivers

The first of these is that there is a need to update your computer’s video drivers. Video drivers that are out of date, generic, or not a perfect match to a computer’s graphics card or operating system can run into intermittent issues, such as being able to watch movies but not run flash games or video chat with other people over the Internet. It can be really random where the problem strikes and your computer freezes, depending on the situation. There is a very good piece of software that will manage your system’s drivers called Driver Scanner. If you want to purchase such software, then that is the only one I would recommend. Otherwise, have someone determine what kind of hardware you have and update your video drivers accordingly.

There are many people out there that try to run the latest version of Windows on computers that are almost ten years old. If this describes you, then your problem is likely here. There are ways to fix this without buying a new computer, such as upgrading some of the hardware inside your computer or rolling back your installation. It is remarkable how well older hardware can handle newer software, but sometimes it is all these old machines can do just to run the newest version of an operating system, making doing anything interesting on top of that difficult, if not impossible.

We hope this has solved your computer freezing on Facebook games issue, and that you have a happy future playing Facebook games to your heart’s content.

People are discovering that their SD memory card freezes computer more and more often. Browse any computer forum and you will see a ton of entries asking, “Why does my computer freeze when I insert a camera card?” This is partly due to the fact that there are more and more SD memory cards in use than ever before and as a result, there is more opportunity to see computer freezes happen. Still, it is not just the sheer number of SD cards in use that causes this to happen to more and more people, the technology advances also play a role.

SD Memory Card Freezes Computer

Common Causes

There are several common reasons a computer will freeze when accessing a memory card. Most can be fixed quite easily. Dirty contacts on the SD card can make it difficult for the information on the memory card to be properly sent to the computer. The computer can see some of the information and knows there is more it should be receiving. The computer dedicates more and more resources to getting this information and leaves no processing power for anything else and the computer freezes. Simply cleaning the contacts on the SD card will resolve this issue.

Another common reason Windows XP freezes accessing SD card is a virus. The virus may be on the computer or on the SD card itself. Scanning the computer before inserting the SD card can often resolve the issue when a computer virus is the cause the problem. When the virus is on the SD card, open the anti-virus program on your computer. Then insert the SD card and as soon as your computer recognizes it, start a virus scan on the SD card. Some viruses can prevent the anti-virus program from opening so it is important that the program be open before the SD card is connected to the computer.

Broken SD Card

Less common but more frequent than we would like, the SD card may be defective. Usually this is the case with brand new memory cards, but sometimes it doesn’t happen until the card has been used for a month or even a year. Try a different card to see if it works, if it does, the problem is probably with the card rather than the computer. If neither card works, you are probably dealing with a driver issue.

It is also a good idea to try the card that is causing your computer to freeze on another computer. If the other computer also freezes when accessing the card, there is one last test to be sure that the card itself is defective. Go to the Start menu and click on My Computer. Insert the SD card. When it appears in the My Computer window, right click on it and choose properties. If the graphic depicting free and used space shows the card to be full and the capacity is stated to be 0 bytes, then the card is probably defective.

Unfortunately, the only solution is the replace the broken SD card. The pictures, music and any other data files that are on it will not be accessible. If the information is especially important, you can try contacting a data recovery specialist but, they are very expensive.

Driver Issues

The next biggest reason an SD card would make a computer freeze, is corrupt or incompatible drivers. The program in the computer that controls and transfers the information from the card reader to the computer is called a driver. Every computer has a lot of different drivers and sometimes they don’t always work the way they are supposed to. The wrong driver might be installed or a change like updating a program or installing new software might have broken a driver that has previously been working perfectly.

Identifying a malfunctioning SD card reader is fairly easy. Click on the Start button and right click on My Computer. In the list that appears, choose Manage. Click on Device Manager in the left pane of the window that opens. If the SD card reader is built in, click on the plus sign next to Disk Drives. If it is not in the disk drive list, click on the plus sign next to Other devices, it will be listed here as Unknown device. Regardless of which list it is in, right click on the SD card reader and choose properties. In the middle of the window is a section labeled Device Status. If there is a problem, it will provide a code indicating why the SD card reader isn’t working. Search the Internet for this code along with your brand of SD card reader and you should find some clear guidance on fixing the problem. If it says the device is working properly, you can click on the Troubleshoot button and the wizard will walk you through identifying why the SD card is freezing your computer and help you fix it.

If the SD card reader you are using is plugged into a USB port, scroll to the bottom of the list in the Device Manager window and click on the plus sign next to Universal Serial Bus Controllers. In the list that appears there should be one labeled USB Mass Storage Device. Right click on it and choose Properties. Check the Device status window to see if there is any guidance on fixing the problem. If it says the device is working properly, click on the Troubleshoot button and let the wizard walk you through resolving the issue.

If you do not see one labeled USB Mass Storage Device, look for one labeled Unknown Device. Right click on it and choose properties. Then click on the Driver tab and choose Update Driver. Now simply follow the on-screen instructions. If you have an Internet connection it is usually best to let the wizard connect to the Internet if it asks to.

By simply following these steps, you will be able to resolve most instances when an SD memory card freezes computer.

Is your Dell Inspiron laptop making loud noise and freezing? There are a couple of issues that could be causing the problem, especially if you notice that the Dell Inspiron laptop freezes with Windows 7. The first thing you’ll want to check for is a malfunctioning fan. The fan on a laptop is designed to run during use to cool the laptop down. If your Inspiron’s fan is to blame, then the computer could be overheating causing the freezing, and the fan itself is what’s causing the loud noise.

Dell Inspiron Laptop Making Loud Noises And Freezing

The first step in determining the problem is to listen to the sound the computer is making. A problem with the fan will generally be heard with two different distinct sounds. The first is a very loud and obvious churning or chugging noise. It can sound like a grinding type of noise as well. The second most common noise to be heard is a more discreet but still noticeable ticking sound.

In a laptop that is featuring an ongoing ticking noise, the issue may be as simple as a fan that is clogged with dust or debris. After being used on a daily basis for a time, a laptop can suck in quite a lot of dust through the vents where the fan is located. Occasionally there can be so much dust that the fan blades are unable to rotate properly. The ticking noise is the fan attempting to run and being interrupted. Luckily, this can be the easiest fix of all the possibilities.

Use a vacuum cleaner with a hose or brush attachment to clean out the laptop. Simply run the vacuum attachment along the vents in the bottom of the laptop to suck out as much loose debris as possible. If that does not fix the noise, do not attempt to open up the computer yourself unless you are an expert! At that point, your best option is going to be taking the computer to a repair shop, where they can safely take the laptop apart to clean it out. A simple fan cleaning job shouldn’t cost you that much either.

For Inspirons that are making more of a deep churning sound, the problem is similar but may be more complex. Again, it is likely that the underlying issue is the fan. However, a sound like this can signify a problem inside the motor of the fan which is basically inaccessible to you, unless you’re a pro.

First, listen closely to the sound. Does your laptop make the sound all the time, or only periodically? A laptop’s fan doesn’t run continuously, just when it begins reaching a high temperature. If the noise only starts when the fan would normally run, you can bet you have found the source of your anxiety. If the motor is clogged by dust or debris, you may even feel a vibration from the bottom of the laptop when the noise starts.

You can try to vacuum method for this problem, but chances are high that you’ll end up taking it to the repair shop anyways. Depending on the amount of damage the fan has experienced, it may need to be replaced to correct the sound. If you get lucky, a quick cleaning will do the trick.

If the sound you’re hearing from your Dell Inspiron doesn’t sound like either of those options, but is instead a very high pitched squealing noise- you may have a bigger problem on your hands. A sound like this accompanied by a totally frozen screen can signify an issue with the computer’s hard drive itself. The best advice for this situation is grim at best; Make back-up copies of any important documents you have on your laptop pronto.

Before you rush your laptop off to the repair store though, try unplugging any extras you may have plugged into the laptop. Try it with battery only, and then with the charger plugged up too. You want to make sure it’s not a peripheral attachment problem first. If none of that helps, you’ll need to run the Dell extended diagnostics on the drive. If there is a problem in the hard drive sector, the diagnostic test will trip a specific code that can be sent to Dell so they can replace your hard drive.

That being said, if your laptop freezes up during the diagnostics, or before they can even get started, you should check your warranty. If your Dell is still under warranty, there is a possibility that the warranty will cover the diagnostics and needed fixes. If you don’t have a warranty, you may as well store your important info on a flash drive and head out to the repair shop.

Considering all the components inside your computer it’s no wonder something can go wrong at any time and cause your computer to freeze. One common culprit of a computer freezing is the network card. When the network card crashes my computer, it can be a pain, but it is fixable. Typical causes of crashes due to network card are driver problems, hardware conflicts or an issue with the card itself.

Network Card Freezes My Computer

Driver Issues

A driver is a small program that facilitates communication between the computer’s operating system and the hardware. In this case, problems with the driver mean my network card locks up my computer. Driver problems, once diagnosed, are easy to fix once the specific driver issue is found.

Corrupt driver: Since a driver is just a small application and it is accessed constantly, it can become corrupt. To diagnose corrupt network card drivers, try a software package like DriverScanner. Once you’ve determined a corrupt driver to be the culprit, uninstall and reinstall it. To uninstall your network card driver, go to Device Manager in Windows. The absolute fastest way to get there is to right click My Computer –or just “Computer” in the Start Menu in Windows 7 – and click “Manage.” From there, find Device Manager, browse to your card under “Network Adapters,” right-click it and select “Uninstall.” Rebooting your computer should then result in a “found new hardware” message and the drivers should reinstall on their own.

Outdated driver: Sometimes your network card driver is fine, but it’s just outdated. This usually happens after an operating system update, such as Windows Update, applies patches that help your OS but render your network card obsolete. When this happens, your best bet is to check the manufacturer’s web site for driver updates. If that doesn’t work, run Windows Update again and check the “hardware” section of the update. It is possible Microsoft has released a compatible driver. Either way, updating the outdated driver will fix the issue.

Hardware Conflict

When the network card freezes my computer and I’ve made recent system changes, it’s likely those changes are contributing to the problem. When adding new hardware, it’s important to research the new piece of equipment to determine whether others have had problems with it. General online forums dedicated to computer hobbyists and specific manufacturer support forums are a great place to start. If you installed a new piece of hardware and didn’t do your research, though, there are still fixes available if new hardware may be causing your network card to crash your computer.

Driver conflicts: Sometimes, the new hardware’s driver just doesn’t “play nice” with your network card drivers. To diagnose whether this is the issue, first go to Device Manager via the methods listed above. Browse to your new piece of hardware, right-click it and select “Disable.” Reboot your computer. If you can then use your computer without crashes being caused by the network card, then the driver may be the problem. Search for updated drivers for your new hardware and try those. If that doesn’t work, try to contact customer support for your network card and for the new piece of hardware. They may have a solution for you.

Hardware conflict: On some occasions, drivers work just fine but the new piece of hardware still causes the network card to lock the computer. This typically happens because the new piece of hardware might occasionally use the same system resources and interrupt requests as existing hardware like your network card. To diagnose this, check your computer’s System Log (found under Computer Management) for IRQ and hardware related errors. If these errors occur, uninstall the video card and try to move it to a different slot on the motherboard. If this isn’t possible, try to install updated drivers. If none of this helps, it may be necessary to return the new hardware to the store and research more compatible equipment.

Network Card Going Bad

When the network card crashes my computer, it may not be a driver problem or a hardware conflict at all. It could just be that your network card is failing. To find out if this is the case, check your computer’s System Log for network card hardware errors. If you can’t find any but you still believe the network card is the culprit, disable the card using Device Manager. Use your computer as normal and watch for issues. If there are no crashes after uninstalling the network card, it could mean the card is going bad. Replacement cards are available in stores and online. USB network cards and USB wireless adapters are inexpensive alternatives as well.

The biggest complaint that computer users have is that their computer is constantly freezing. It doesn’t matter if you’re doing homework, struggling to complete a project with a deadline for your job or just trying to have some fun, nothing is more frustrating than having everything grind to a half when you least expect it. Fortunately, there are ways to fix a computer that constantly freezes. Here are some common reasons for this widespread problem.

Computer Constantly Freezes – Tips

Cleanup Needed

Many people take their car to the mechanic every 3000 miles or so for an oil change and regular maintenance. How often do you do anything like this for your computer?

We install programs, uninstall them, write files, delete them and, in general, run our computers into the ground. Everything we do on computers leaves information in the hard drive and in the registry. Too many fragments left behind can corrupt your registry and cause your computer to freeze.

You should run a registry cleaner application regularly to scan for errors and orphaned fragments of data. These stray bits can be easily deleted, leaving your registry healthy. You should also defrag your hard drive from time to time. Finally, uninstall those old programs you’re no longer using.

Memory Issues

Modern programs need more RAM than their ancestors. If your system is older and your computer freezes up constantly when performing routine tasks, you may need to add memory. If you have enough memory and your computer freezes or bluescreens, your RAM may have simply gone bad. Diagnostic programs are available to test for bad RAM. When you find which memory module is bad, replace it and you’ll be back on your feet.

Background Programs

This is also tied to memory. Many programs like to run in the background, even when it’s not necessary. Each program that does this eats a little bit of memory. When too many programs do this at once, it can lead to your computer constantly freezing.

To fix this, launch MSCONFIG from your computer’s “Run” prompt and go to the “Startup” tab. The name of the executable for every program that runs at startup is listed there. Do some Googling and check each one to see if they are vital or not. Uncheck the ones that aren’t to keep them from running at startup. Be careful, though. Some programs are absolutely necessary and if you turn them off you could make things worse. If you’re unsure, consult a computer repair professional.

Corrupt Drivers

Drivers are the programs that let hardware devices like your mouse, video card, DVD ROM drive and iPod communicate with Windows and vice versa. They are simple programs and they can be easily corrupted through constant access. If you find that your computer constantly freezes when you try to use a certain piece of hardware, uninstall it through Device Manager. Reinstalling it refreshes the driver.

Driver-related freezing can also be the result of outdated drivers. If you’ve updated your OS recently and using a specific piece of hardware causes a freeze, try updating that device’s driver by visiting the manufacturer’s web site and downloading the latest driver. If you want some reliable software to take care of your driver updates, then I would recommend Driver Scanner 2012.

Hard drive problems

That churning, grinding sound you hear is your computer accessing your hard drive (HDD). If computer freezes with constant HDD access, it’s very possible your drive is corrupted or damaged. To fix corruption, run scandisk or a commercial disk scanner to analyze the disk and look for corruptions. Files in bad sectors can be copied with varying degrees of success, and then those bad sectors will be marked as bad so your system no longer tries to use them.

If you feel your hard drive is damaged and that’s what’s causing the computer to freeze, it’s best to replace the hard drive immediately while you can still access the data. Back up anything you need onto a portable hard drive or removable media and replace the drive with a new one right away.

Bad Location = Computer Constantly Freezes Up

Sometimes where you use your computer causes it to freeze. If it’s near an area with bad RF interference, like a kitchen with a microwave or near broadcasting equipment if you work in TV or radio, this interference could cause your computer to freeze. Sometimes it’s as simple as using your laptop on a carpeted floor, which can block exhaust ports and cause overheating. It could also be you’re using a desktop computer but it’s kept on the floor where it gets filled with dust, debris and pet fur. Try changing the computer’s location to see if that helps.

These are just some of the many reasons computers suddenly freeze. There are certainly many more, but this list should help. So next time your computer freezes, instead of asking “Why does my computer constantly freeze up!?” you can ask, “How can I fix this myself?”

Windows 7 is the latest version of the Microsoft Windows operating system and despite its features and improvements; there are still a number of issues. The software works better than Vista, but it does have a few flaws. One of the most common problems is that the computer freezes up after standby Windows 7.

Computer Freezes Up After Standby Windows 7

What is standby mode?

The standby mode is supposed to be a low powered state of the computer that will temporarily store data and allow you to resume the computer right away. The computer is still on, it is still using the power source and everything is functional. The data is not saved on the hard drive, so if the computer loses power or shuts down in this state, then it will lose all of the unsaved data. It is slightly different from the hibernation mode because it does not completely power down the computer and all of the data is not saved on the hard drive. Standby mode is best when used when you are a few steps away from the computer, but it is not good if you will be away for hours.

Common standby problems

A lot of users of Windows 7 complain that their computer freezes after going into standby. The computer will seem like it is working find and then once it goes into standby and they return to the computer it will become unresponsive. Unfortunately, once the computer is unresponsive there is little that can be done other than to restart the computer, which can cause you to lose data. This is a common problem and there is no official solution or fix from Microsoft, but there are a few solutions that you can use to help resolve the issue.

Solutions to standby problems

When your computer freezes up after standby Windows 7 will become unresponsive and there will be little that you can do at that point. Your only recourse is to turn off the computer and then try to implement some different solutions. The solution to your standby problems actually depends on the cause of the problem, which could be a recently installed program, the registry, or some other issue altogether. Some believe that Windows system standby freezes are caused by a glitch in the software that will have to be resolved by a Windows update. Here are some of the solutions that may resolve your standby problems.

- Turn off the standby feature – You can always go to the control panel and turn off the standby feature if it is causing you to have a lot of problems. Once you have turned off the standby feature, you will still be able to use other settings to power down the computer when you are not using it. Some good alternatives are hibernation, sleep, or shut down as long as you have already saved your data.

- Use a registry cleaner - A registry cleaner can be a useful tool that can resolve this particular issue and improve the overall health of your computer. The Windows registry is a database that saves numerous settings and data about the current state of the computer and the software. Almost every program or software you used on your computer was noted in your database and much of that information will remain long after the data was supposed to deleted or uninstalled from your computer.

The Windows registry can get filled with useless information that will cause your computer to slow down and malfunction in some cases. It is never recommended that you actually go into your registry and remove files on your own because it can ruin your system if you do not know what you are doing.

The best course of action is to purchase a reputable registry cleaner. A registry cleaner will remove the unnecessary data and help your computer speed up and function properly. Sometimes using a good registry cleaner can resolve an issue with the standby mode, so it is definitely something to consider. Make sure that you find a reputable registry cleaner because some of these types of programs can be spyware. Check the company before you decide to download and install their software.

- Get all of the appropriate Windows updates - Microsoft regularly releases updates for all of their most recent software like Windows 7. Although you have the option of shutting off the updates or declining to receive certain ones, it is recommended that you update them anyway. If you do not have all of the appropriate Windows updates, then it could actually cause your system to malfunction. This is not always the case, but it is better to err on the side of caution and update your system as soon as the updates become available.

- Look at the recently installed programs – Sometimes certain programs can cause your computer to freeze up and start having problems. It is not necessary to uninstall all of your most recently installed programs, but you should take note if you start having a lot of problems right after you install a certain program. If you do notice a lot of Windows system standby freezes right after you have installed a particular program, then uninstalling it may resolve the issue.

Computer freezes after going into standby are common in Windows 7. Many speculate that Microsoft will release an update to resolve the issue, but you can still implement some of these solutions to fix the problem for yourself.

Purchasing a new computer is always an exciting time. The prospects of greater speed, more storage, better performance, and improved stability make for happy computing…most of the time. If that new computer is struggling with stability issues, you may be asking yourself “Why does my computer keep freezing?” A computer can be a tricky device to work with, but there are ways to attempt to correct these problems. At times I have wondered how to stop my computer from freezing, and it is a common worry.

The first thing to try is to update any drivers on your computer that are not the most recent versions. This will take a little bit of work, as many components of a computer may have a driver associated with it. There are video card drivers, monitor drivers, printer drivers, etc.

To update these drivers, you will first need to identify the particular component and then head to the website of the manufacturer. Once you have done this, check with the website for your component to see if your computer’s driver is up to date. If not, simply download the new driver and install it. If you are fortunate, your problem will be solved.

If you have updated the drivers and are still are still lamenting, “My computer is freezing”, try checking to see how hard your processor is working. This can be done easily by pressing control, alt, and delete at the same time. A window will pop up showing the percentage of usage that your processor is engaged in. If it is above 10%, your new computer probably has a lot of bloatware.

Bloatware is a term that describes unnecessary programs that manufacturers install on their computers, often for the purpose of promoting a particular computing product. Examples of these programs could include PDF readers, antivirus programs, or other “enhancements”. These programs often activate at start up and consume large amounts of storage, memory, and processing power. Getting rid of them can speed up your computer and help prevent freezing and crashing.

If drivers and bloatware are not the problem, make sure to do a thorough virus scan. I know that a new computer should be free of viruses, but it is best to perform this step anyways just in case one has managed to slip in. Viruses are a major cause of computer freezing, slowdowns, and crashes, so always make sure you have your important data backed up.

If you have taken all of these steps and are still having problems with freezing and/or crashing, it is time to get some professional help. New computers should not freeze and crash, and if they do despite the above measures, the manufacturer needs to offer a solution. Be aware that phone help from a computer manufacturer is a hit or miss proposition and, depending on the manufacturer, may lead to a lot of frustration. It is important, though, to make sure your manufacturer stands behind your product that you paid good money for.

Find more great tips and advice on computer freezes.

Whether you own a Mac or a PC, computer freezes on startup can be extremely frustrating. Oddly enough, on both systems they are usually due to the same types of factors, including “hidden” programs that are categorized as startup items, improperly configured or inaccurate permissions, and an exceptionally low or corrupted amount of RAM. In each case, your computer is essentially mugged before it can properly launch itself, leading to catastrophic system crashes. Windows 7 freezes on startup can be avoided by using the MSCONFIG tool, while Mac freezes on startup can be avoided by verifying and then repairing permissions using the Disk Utility Tool. Because crashes on PCs are a far more frequent occurrence, we will focus on investigating specific fixes for Windows 7 freezes on startup.

MSCONFIG

The Microsoft System Configuration Utility provides a comprehensive view of what programs launch when you start your computer. This tool can be accessed in Windows 7 by clicking on the start icon and typing “MSCONFIG” in the search box. By clicking on the “Startup” tab, you will see a list of the startup item, the manufacturer of that item, and where it is located on your computer. Each item has a checkbox next to it that allows you to select or deselect it. If you uncheck an item, it will no longer launch when you startup your computer.

It’s a good idea to carefully read each program title before unchecking it. In many cases, the programs that begin running when you startup your computer are necessary but not particularly familiar sounding. !1_ProcessGuard_Startup, for example, is a security system that prevents malware from creeping in and corrupting your system. !NoLoad, on the other hand, is a keystroke-monitoring program that records all of your inputs. This qualifies as a piece of malware unless you deliberately installed it yourself. Other programs, like QuickTime or a calculator application, don’t qualify as malware but don’t need to be running at all times, either. An excellent way to determine which programs are helpful and which programs are potentially harmful is to visit this comprehensive resource of startup items compiled by Paul Collins: http://www.sysinfo.org/startuplist.php.

Once you’ve made changes to the MSCONFIG panel, you will need to restart your computer for the changes to take effect. By removing unnecessary or redundant programs, you will experience far fewer computer freezes on startup.

.exe File Resources

Executable files, commonly abbreviated as .exe, can also be a common source of computer freezes. These files instruct a computer how to launch a particular application. If a vital start-up application’s .exe file has been corrupted, every time your computer launches, the corrupted file launches and then drags the entire system down with it.

A great way to determine the possible problematic .exe files is by using http://www.processlibrary.com. By entering the name of an .exe file, the library describes what the file does, if it has any harmful effects, and recommends way to either alter or remove the program.

“Explorer.exe,” for example, is a common file name that sounds harmless but has been identified as a piece of malicious software. This .exe file allows outsiders access to your computer, including your banking information and personal data. The process library recommends removing the file from your startup queue via the MSCONFIG tool.

The best way to root out these problems is to start your computer in “safe” mode, and then run a .exe repair tool that will allow you to quickly identify those files that are causing the problems. Software including “SpeedUpMyPC” can help identify problematic files and quickly repair the damage. Alternatively, you can use the MSCONFIG tool and then check each .exe name using the Process Library resource.

A Brief Note on Registry Problems

Each of these resources will help you remove problematic files from your computer. However, when your computer habitually crashes, it’s a sign that your central file registry has been corrupted. While you can work backwards to root out problematic files and startup applications, it’s a good idea to install a thorough suite of security software to prevent further attacks on your file registry. Your registry acts like the central nervous system of your computer: it’s definitely worth protecting, no matter what the cost.

Resources:

Computer Freezes On Startup: Solutions Found Here – A blog I wrote.

If you’ve had the misfortune of working or playing a game on your computer and having to restart when your machine becomes completely unresponsive, you’ve suffered a computer freeze. Computer freezes can have many causes, but if you’ve eliminated all the functional causes such as incorrect drivers, hardware and software conflicts, or malware, your computer freeze might have an environmental cause.

Overheating and Electronics

Although it’s called computer freezing, one reason for this annoying behavior comes not from cold, but from too much heat. Electronic components are heat-sensitive; overheating will cause them to fail. Sometimes the failure is a temporary one and the component will work again after it cools down, but other times heat stress will cause permanent failure. Excess heat is such a concern for electronic components that the U.S. Department of Defense regularly puts equipment through extensive temperature testing to determine reliability data on electronics.

Commercial electronics also go through thermal testing. You may have heard the term “burn-in” when talking about new computers. Burning in means turning a computer on and letting it run for hours to see how it handles the heat. The computer sitting on your desk or your lap went through a burn-in before it came to you, but burn-ins happen under proper conditions. You might inadvertently be operating your computer in an environment that gives it no way to shed excess heat.

Environmental Hazards for Your Computer

Whether you have a laptop computer or a desktop tower, you’ll hear the system’s fans in operation when you start it. These fans aren’t there just to look good; they’re essential to your computer’s proper functioning. Game-optimized systems typically have multiple fans positioned near components that produce the most heat such as CPUs and graphics cards. More sophisticated means of removing excess heat involve liquid cooling systems and heat-sinks. Even the best cooling systems cannot work if they lack the proper environment, though, so pay attention to these factors to prevent environmental computer freezes.

Dust is more than just a minor annoyance; it’s a primary cause of computer freezing due to overheating. As dust builds up on air intakes and fan gratings, it reduces the efficiency of your computer’s air-cooling system. Even in a clean environment, dust accumulates in electronic components. They actually attract the tiny particles. Think of layers of dust as insulating blankets that wrap around your computer, holding heat inside the machine and causing malfunctions.

Remove external dust on air intakes and fan meshes with a soft brush or cloth and a canister of compressed air. It’s a good idea to have your system professionally cleaned every six months or so to ensure that the computer’s interior sheds its dusty coating as well. Keep your machine in an environment with less dust and particulate matter if you can manage it. That means no smoking or using aerosol sprays near your computer, as these sources of sticky particles contribute to dust build-up as well.

You want your computer’s air-cooling system to be able to gulp all the air it can. No amount of fans will cool your computer if the machine sits in a box or cabinet with no air-flow around it. When you set up your computer, make sure that both its intake and its outlet fans are unobstructed. If you’re using a laptop, set it on a hard surface rather than a pillow or blanket that could partially or fully occlude fans.

If you wanted to cool a cake quickly, you’d set it on a cake rack so air could flow around the cake’s surface; do the same for your computer tower and keep it off the ground at least four to six inches so that air flows beneath the case. Some computer desks have compartments for towers, but these enclosed spaces are the last thing you want for your machine. Set your tower on the desk if there’s room; if there isn’t, find a space that leaves at least six inches of air around your entire machine to let it cool efficiently.

Heat transfer only works if the exterior of the computer remains cooler than its interior. Operate your computer in a cool, dry environment whenever possible. Keep it out of direct sunlight and away from other devices that also produce heat such as televisions or incandescent lamps. You’re likely to suffer freezes if you run your laptop in places that you find uncomfortably hot, so look for a spot in the shade or indoors to check your e-mail.

If your computer is running Windows Vista and it freezes when starting up, you may want to try Safe Mode. Windows Vista Safe Mode is a function that starts the operating system for your computer with only core services and basic drivers — it bypasses any drivers and other programs that are not needed for the loading of the Windows Vista operating system and is a way to isolate the problem that’s causing your computer to freeze. A freeze may happen when you’ve installed a new driver or a new device on your computer and the new computer code interferes with the computer operation.

Before you try Vista Safe Mode, remove all disk media from the removable media slots and holders of your computer, such as CDs, DVDs and floppy disks. Re-start your computer. If your computer has only one operating system, press the F8 key and hold it down — if your computer has multiple operating systems installed, select the Windows Vista option while pressing down the F8 key. Some computers may display a “Sticky Key” message whenever a key is held down asking you if you’d like to enable the Sticky Key function. If so, you can enter Safe Mode during boot-up by tapping the F8 key rather than holding it down.

If the Windows logo appears, you’ve waited too long and will have to re-start the computer and start the steps all over again. If you try several times to get your computer into Safe Mode and fail, turn your computer off and then turn it on — your computer may then automatically enter Safe Mode. If not, try pressing the F8 key again to try to start the Safe Mode Windows Vista load process.

A menu for Advanced Options will appear. Because your mouse or other input device will not be working, use the arrow key on your keyboard to move the highlight to “Safe Mode” and press the ENTER key. If a log-in screen appears, sign on with an account that has administrative rights on the computer. The words “Safe Mode” should then appear in the four corners of the display — you are not in Safe Mode if those words are not on the screen.

Once your computer is in Safe Mode, you can begin to troubleshoot your problem and figure out the cause of the computer freeze. If Safe Mode has started properly, then the problem cannot be with the default drivers and settings of Windows Vista as installed on your computer. While in Safe Mode, you’ll be able to un-install something you’ve recently installed on your computer. To exit Safe Mode on your computer, restart your computer as you normally would to see if the computer will not freeze during a normal start-up. If the computer still freezes, go back into Safe Mode and un-install some other recently installed item. Continue removing all recently installed items until you find the cause of your computer freeze.