I have a Samsung laptop running on Windows 8 and a few months ago there were some days when the computer completely froze (with the only way to get out of it being to shut it down). This was resolved after a while by running a registery cleaner. In the last few days the problem has returned but despite using a registery cleaner along with an antiviral program and a malware detector software, the laptop constantly freezes with the only recourse being to shut it down. Is there any other potential reason for this problem and if so what?
Can it be overheating? Does it feel increasingly warm to the touch as you keep it on?
The laptop is frozen again currently and I don’t think its particularly warm. I’ve had long phases before when it was much warmer without having any trouble.
Ok so its malware or possibly a hard drive or even motherboard problem. The latter two are unlikely given this is a newish machine. The fact you initially resolved it with a registry cleaner suggests a malware problem.
Not familiar with Windows 8 unfortunately. I suggest running scans in Safe Mode if possible. There are root-kit malware programs out there which require specialised tools but I’m no expert.
Running a registry cleaner is extremely unlikely to fix whatever problem you have, and more likely to cause some. I can dig up cites for that if you like. It sounds like a hardware problem to me, as Windows 8 isn’t really known for freezing. If it’s still under warranty, I’d suggest backing up everything and using that.
Might want to try adw cleaner, download from bleepingcomputer.com. it hunts down many of those “value added” crapware items that are technically not viruses. Many of those items are poorly written and can be prone to many kinds of odd problems.
Sounds like a heat or memory problem. If you can, swap out the memory or find a program that tests it. temperature program might also be useful just to see if its cooking itself.
Was the fan running hard before it froze? That would indicate a heat problem, though overheating in my experience leads to poor performance and then a crash.
Is there disk activity during the freeze? That might indicate some program, malware or other, got into a loop.
If you use Yahoo mail, it has been causing all sorts of problems lately and hung my browser though not my computer.
Still a good virus/malware scan would seem like the first and easiest step.
Hello there, following previous posters I’d try the following:
Try and leave a 1 inch gap between the bottom of the device and whatever surface you’re resting it on.
Secondly restart and boot into ‘safe’ mode:
How to start Windows 8 in Start Mode
If you’re able to boot Windows normally, but still need to enter Safe mode, you can skip this rather convoluted process by going to the Start screen and typing msconfig. Launch System Configuration from the list of search results, then select its Boot tab. On this screen (pictured above), you can check a box to enable Safe boot, with various different types of Safe mode available below. Click Ok, then click Restart to boot your computer into Safe mode.
There is a much easier way, however. If you are at the Windows 8 login screen, simply choose restart and hold down the Shift key. You will arrive at the windows with options to troubleshoot your system from which you can select to boot in Safe Mode.
Of course most people who need Safe Mode will already have a problem with their PC. If you are already logged in and can see only a black screen, hit CTRL, ALT, DEL to bring up the selection screen, and choose logout, restart. Then hold down the Shift key and you will be taken to the window via which you can choose Safe Mode.
Read more: http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/how-to/windows/3421988/boot-windows-8-in-safe-mode/#ixzz2l7xzMafB
If you’re given an option, I’m not a win 8 expert, choose safe boot with networking.
go here:
or search for either trendmicro or housecall.
This is a downloaded stand alone AV scanner, depending on the amount of data you have on your hard disk it may take a while.
If you’re still experiencing difficulties, then you may need to repair your Win 8 installation.
Depending on your initial supplier you may have a section of your hard drive,(a recovery section/partition or drive), and/or a recovery DVD.
Individual retailors will have different routines for the re-installation of an Operating System.
If all else fails burn a copy of Linux Puppy and run this as a temporary and transient Operating System, this will enable you to copy ‘My documents’ onto a flash drive. On the underside of your Laptop you should, tempting fate here, find a serial number for the original Windows 8 installation, it’s a fairly hefty download and can be a wee bit complex but you can download a current copy of Win 8 from Microsoft and perform a clean install.
I’ve probably over complicated things, but short of acts of ‘OG’ everything is solvable.
I’m not due to the West Coast until the new year otherwise it’s a two hour job at an Internet cafe.
PM me if anything is gobbledygook.
Peter