Computer Freezes

Hey, I need a little advice from those of you who are tech savy. My computer has a regular problem of freezing during certain programs. I can't play videos on Windows Media, play certain games for too long, or have Internet Explorer and Instand Messenger running together before my computer just gives up the will to move. I can't even restart it, my only option is unplugging the whoel computer from the outlet. For awhile, this hasn't bothered me, as I have always been able to get done what I needed before it froze, but lately it has been freezing up more often than I'd like, so any help would be most appreciated. And remember, I'm not a computer genius, so I'll need it in terms my little sister could understand.

Sounds like a virus to be very blunt.

Could you please go to http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/d...d=ie&venid=sym and then click Go and then click run Virus Scan.

Hopefully your computer will last long enough for the scan to complete.

You must run the scan in Internet Explorer (it will not work in any other internet browser).

Hopefully this is just a virus and is not a corrupted file although it may be a hardware problem.

When you computer freezes are you able to shut it down or restart the computer by holding the power button in for 10-20 seconds?

If it does not work by holding in the power button then this is a hardware problem.

Hope this helps.

Is it complete freezing or is it a horrible lag?If its a horrible lag then yes it may be a virus. If it is complete freezing then you have a problem with your processor.

Ok, thanks for the tips. If it turns out to be hardware problems, any suggestions?

I could be overheating, Take the cover off and clean out the fans and heatsinks with compressed air. If any fans arnt working replace them. Does the computer ever reboot unexpectedly?

Ok, I've found that holding the restart button for longer than a second actually works, and that my computer isn't overheating (fan works fine, it's very clean inside, and nothing really gets hot, just kinda warm). But when I tried to run the link you gave me for the virus detection program, I do not have the right settings. Any others you would suggest?

Originally Posted by Layke

Any others you would suggest?

Try this one from Trend Micro - http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

Good to hear its not a hardware problem.

Cheers

Ok, I downloaded AVG because that was the only Virus scanner I could get to work. However, instead of freezing as soon as I run teh programs, they last for about ten minutes, and then freeze. Any suggestions now?

what are your specs, is your Video Ram shared with the system Ram. It might be a bad RAM card.

Ok, this is where you start to lose me with the technical stuff. If you need to know my specs, post me instructions for where to look. I run of Windows XP, if that helps any. Quick question though, if my computer played the videos and games fine before, and then started freezing up later, could it still be a RAM card? I appreciate all your help, but please be patient. I have a feeling we are geting close to the problem.