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After installing SP2 on Vista 32-bit HP laptop, all browsers (Firefox, IE, Maxthon) periodically freeze randomly. It occurs when opening a new webpage. It might happen after 45 minutes of browsing, or 3 minutes. The only way to get out of it is to right click the taskbar, "end program", and say "close now" when it tries to search for a solution. Or occasionally, I have to hard reboot. It doesn't seem to correlate with any one particular type of webpage, but I'm assuming that something being loaded doesn't play well with my system.

I would uninstall SP2, but it fixed several even more annoying system problems I'd had with my computer.

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Are you running any antivirus software? – kez Sep 7 '09 at 19:55
Is it possible to do a clean install of Vista? – Breakthrough Sep 7 '09 at 20:05
Does the issue persist if you try booting into Vista in "safe mode (with networking)"? – Reuben Sep 7 '09 at 21:39
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5 Answers

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If you have any antivirus, try disabling it to see if this helps.

Second suggestion is to try an sfc /scannow.

  1. Pop in your Vista installation CD and exit out of the install wizard that appears.
  2. Hold down the Windows key and press R to bring up the Run dialog box
  3. Type in sfc /scannow and press Enter (note - only a space between sfc and the /, nowhere else)

Let it run through and once the box has disappeared, restart.

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I did the sfc scan; it didn't help. I also updated all my Flash and Shockwave players. Then I uninstalled my antivirus, Avira, and installed Avast instead. So far, no freezes! I've only been online an hour though, so we'll see, but that would be great if it works. I will report back! – n21jc Sep 10 '09 at 17:23
Well, with the new Avast antivirus, it still freezes, but much less often. Only twice in 24 hours, a new record! The next time I reboot, I will try Reuben's idea of booting into Vista in "safe mode (with networking)" to see if it still freezes. Will report back. Thank you all! – n21jc Sep 12 '09 at 4:51
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Also, I really want to avoid doing a clean reinstall of Vista. – n21jc Sep 12 '09 at 4:57
Why are u affraid of clean install ? Does it mean you dont have a backup ? :P Seriouslly - check event viewer WHAT is causeing freeze. maybe its vga driver – Adam RichardSon Aug 2 '11 at 9:41
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If you have a Wireless card, the problem might be that Windows is scanning regularly for networks, even if you're already connected.

You may disable this behavior using WLAN Optimizer.

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Will try WLAN Optimizer and report back. So far, nothing has worked. It only freezes while attempting to open a new browser tab. It happens just as often on Firefox as it does Maxthon (which is built on IE).

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WLAN Optimizer didn't cure the problem. It is so maddening!

When the browser freezes, it is always while opening a new browser window or tab. I click on a link or click "open in new tab" and the new window opens blank, the browser is frozen (every window or tab), and I have to exit out through the task manager. It happens in Firefox, Maxthon, Safari and Chrome.

Is there a Dr. House for computers?

I also tried turning off the firewall. No improvement.

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I suggest latest drivers for vga card, latest updates for OS and reinstall of FF. Report back.

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