How to avoid and fix computer freezes
It has happened to all of us. You’ve just finished that spreadsheet, written letter, or won game. And then it happens. Suddenly, your computer stops working and does not respond to standard control + Alt + Delete. This is one of the most frustrating situations experienced by PC users. Learn why your computer freezes and some things you can do about it.
While few people realize it, one of the most common problems that causes a computer to freeze is a heat related issue. What happens is that the internal components of the machine get hot with prolonged or intensive use. This will eventually cause the computer to freeze. You should do what you can to reduce internal heat. Dust off your computer. Add more fans or more powerful fans on your desktop. Consider getting a laptop cooling pad if you use a laptop. While all of these approaches are quick and inexpensive, they can make a world of difference.
Virus and spyware problems can cause a computer to freeze. If you don’t have up-to-date antivirus and antispyware protection, be sure to get it as soon as possible. Be sure to run a full system scan to fix any existing issues. Then make sure you keep your protection program up to date and schedule regular full scans.
Software bugs can cause a computer to freeze. Sometimes there will be some kind of conflict that will cause the computer to shut down. Completely uninstalling and then reinstalling the program that usually runs when your PC freezes will solve the problem most of the time.
Sometimes the problem is caused by what are called registry errors. This is a problem unique to Windows, since it is the only operating system that has a registry database. Download a free or paid registry cleaner that will scan your system and help resolve the issue. Over time, almost everyone’s registry gets corrupted or confused to some degree.
Hardware incompatibilities can also cause your system to crash. For example, you start running a program that requires the use of your video card. If the driver is not supported, sometimes your computer may crash. Download the latest drivers which should be better and not cause your computer to crash like that.
Follow these tips to control your PC’s heat, scan for viruses, reinstall programs, clean the registry, and update your drivers to reduce the chances of annoying PC crashes.