Problems with Programs Freezing

The word freezing brings with it a load of negative connotations: We had a great time, but the weather was freezing. I’m not getting in; the water is freezing. And the worst of all: My computer keeps freezing! A sign of problems that could be minor, simple fixes, or necessary, hard drive overhauls, that you hope are protected by warranty. Regardless, when your computer begins freezing, you’ll need to troubleshoot, or call on the services of a professional.

Programs Freezing Occasionally

Before you freak out completely after a few computer freezing incidents, consider a few variables. When did the problem start, and when is it most likely to occur. Oftentimes, people allow PCs to run for extended periods of time without restarting them, and depending on the power of the machine, this can easily cause computer freezing issues. It will certainly slow performance, especially if there is a routine scanned performed for computer safety.

Another thing to consider are the applications that are running. If you’re not using them, turn them off or disable them–your programs will run better. Consolidate communication devices such as instant messengers to a single system such as Trillian or Digsby, and see if that might also help with occasional freezing issues.

When Freezing Becomes Consistent

When program freezing becomes a consistent computer behavior, there are several things you’ll want to consider. For starters, if you go back to what you learned in high school science, you can identify the problem and subsequently identify the variables. You may be able to track down the electronic freezing culprit on your own. For example, sometimes accessories become defunct, like a mouse that moves the cursor, yet offers no result upon clicking. In such a case, you might start with something as simple as a new mouse.

On the other hand, some systems will lock up completely, freezing to the point of an undesired restart. If this happens time and time again, and your computer is under warranty, it is always best to let the manufacturer deal with the problem. Bottom line, you paid for the service.

If your machine isn’t under warranty, or you built it, then you know what to do. Trial and error, testing all the variables. Are certain applications corrupt? Could it be defunct RAM? A bad hard drive? Is there a glitch in the operating system that might simply require a re-install?

Freezing Due to Computer Virus

A nasty computer virus can put your machine into the deep freeze. Without some programming knowledge, you stand little chance to do anything about such a program freezing issue. If you don’t already have one, you should install a quality anti-virus program onto your computer, especially if you spend the majority of your computing time online. A scan with a program such as CyberDefender, can help identify the viral activity, as well as spyware activity that could eventually slow your computer to a frozen state. Such anti-virus programs are also able to heal many viruses, effectively thawing any program freeze-ups caused by these issues.

When all else fails, take it to a local shop or call remote PC repair, and let an expert dig deep into the issue. Generally they can offer a diagnosis and prognosis without charging you too much. At that point you can decide whether it’s worth saving, or recycling and re-investing.