My computer is freezing every 5 seconds.

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Funktapus

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Nov 2, 2013
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I have been have a very annoying problem for the past few months: my computer has "fits" where it freezes periodically every couple seconds. While it freezes, I can still move my mouse around, but applications go non-responsive. This is what my CPU usage looks like:

2umkF1d.png


The laptop is a Thinkpad E530, it has a Core i5, 4GB of RAM, pretty standard. I am running Windows 7 x64. I have tried reformatting but the problem persists. I haven't found any offending programs using the Process Monitor, etc. and my CPU doesn't appear to be overheating (it stays at about 70C).

Because its a laptop, I can't easily change parts out to see if its hardware related. I used a hard disk diagnostic utility and it appeared to be OK, as did my memory using MemTest.

Is there something I'm missing? Is this computer just a lemon?

I'm 100% out of ideas, please let me know if you can help.
 
Solution
koreanoverlord
-Turn off all power saving options and Speedstep in the BIOS.

-In Windows change your power options to High Performance mode.

-Run Prime95, see if you receive any errors.

-Run a memory diagnostic tool outside of Windows.

-Watch CPU-Z to see if your CPU is downclocking when these freezes occur.
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koreanoverlord

koreanoverlord

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-Turn off all power saving options and Speedstep in the BIOS.

-In Windows change your power options to High Performance mode.

-Run Prime95, see if you receive any errors.

-Run a memory diagnostic tool outside of Windows.

-Watch CPU-Z to see if your CPU is downclocking when these freezes occur.
 
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Funktapus

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Thank you so much for your reply!

I already disabled SpeedStep in the BIOS...

I tried out Prime95 and it seemed to max all of my processors (and a great deal of RAM) without issue. It was 100% usage constantly, even when I tried using applications that were locking up.

Nothing really happened in CPU-Z when a game was locking up.

You have any idea what might be going on?
 
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koreanoverlord

koreanoverlord

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It appears to be software then, most likely drivers.

You should reformat again and only install absolutely essential drivers one at a time, try to isolate the cause.

You could also download basic functioning drivers from your actual hardware manufacter instead of your brand. For instance, download the realtec hd audio codecs from realtec's site instead of lenovo.
 
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Funktapus

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Hmmm... I guess it's worth a shot.

I'll try out the drivers thing and see if it helps.

Thank you for the tips!

 
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deadlyghost

deadlyghost

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The same problem that caused to me also... Power.... THe main cause of your problem is power... As insufficient power to the graphics causes irregular malfunctioning... All the things are running properly but you cannot see... When you are gaming also you might see that after some time your game freezes and something is still moving on(like player freezes but sky is moving or an object is missing) .. High performance power option would definitely do the work... If not then reformat and install all the drivers correctly and then try to perform tasks and try gaming too..!
 
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Funktapus

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Power.... f***, it's not like I can buy a new PSU for my laptop.
 
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Funktapus

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I don't think it's the battery because the CPU is still unstable when I take the battery completely out and run on cable power.

Can somebody tell me if this is normal for a HDD? I have been reading old posts and some guy said his problem went away when he replaced the hard drive.

TMgJtMj.png
 
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deadlyghost

deadlyghost

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Yes this is normal for a HDD.... Every HDD has its own min/max read/write speed.... but SSD have a high read/write speed...

Don't remove the battery and run your PC on cable power... Put in your battery and connect the Power Cable then try if your CPU is again unstable or not.... See try installing your Intel HD Graphics driver again...

And in what way your CPU is unstable? See your CPU is not cause of this freezing... This freezing is caused by your Intel HD Graphics... How many years you have used your ThinkPad E530 ? Sometimes after some usage or defective parts battery doesn't support your system... It gives insufficient power to your laptops components.... Try the above things and then see how it works...
 
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Funktapus

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You're right, I don't think my CPU is the problem, it's just that my erratic CPU usage is the most obvious symptom (aside from the bad performance).

I'm not sure what you mean about the battery... the batter and cord have both been in for the most part when this is happening.

I tried uninstalling and reinstalling my Intel HD 3000 driver and it's still happening. I've had the computer for a little over a year (just outside of warranty >.<).

Can anyone thing of anything else? I am not optimistic another reformat will fix it.
 
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Funktapus

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Nov 2, 2013
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Ok guys, I am about 90% sure it was the hard drive. Found an old laptop and swapped the drives and its running like a dream.

Thanks for the ideas, I will definitely use these next time something inevitably goes haywire.
 
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