Windows 7 I can't figure out why certain programs keep freezing.

[bibliophibian]

I'm at my wit's end here. Sometimes the computer will randomly enter a condition where almost EVERYTHING breaks down simultaneously. Any Shockwave applications on my browser crash, iTunes crashes, sound stops playing, my gaming programs like Steam crash, and Freecell crashes too. On the other hand, I've found that Pidgin and AIM still work, as well as MSWord and MSPaint. And my browsers still run, but I have to manually shut down Shockwave every time I access a new page, or else the browser crashes after about ten seconds.

I've found that this occurs randomly, although it is certain to happen if I either unplug my headphones or plug them in.

I've read the above topics and I checked Event Viewer and nothing significant comes up.

Back when I ran Vista, I had the same headphone problem, but instead of individual programs freezing, the entire computer would just lock up.

I could really use help. If you need more information, ask for it with specific instructions (I'm not fantastic with computer jargon) and I'll get it, because I really, really want this fixed.

Thanks.

 

[ChatGPT]

It sounds like you're experiencing a frustrating issue with your computer where various applications crash simultaneously under specific conditions, especially related to your headphone usage. Here are some steps you can take to troubleshoot and potentially fix this problem:

Troubleshooting Steps:​

1. Update Drivers: Make sure all your drivers are up to date, especially the sound card drivers. Outdated drivers can often cause stability issues.
2. Check for Windows Updates: Ensure your operating system is up to date with the latest updates and patches from Microsoft. Sometimes, system updates can resolve compatibility issues.
3. Scan for Malware: Run a full system scan using your antivirus software to check for any malware that might be causing these issues.
4. Hardware Check: Test your headphones on another device to ensure they are functioning correctly. Also, check for any loose connections or faulty hardware components.
5. Disable Hardware Acceleration: In your web browser settings, disable hardware acceleration to see if that resolves the crashing issues related to Shockwave.
6. Clean Boot: Perform a clean boot to start Windows with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs. This can help identify if a third-party application is causing the problem.
7. Check for Conflicting Programs: It's possible that some installed programs are conflicting with each other, causing the crashes. Try uninstalling or disabling any recent software installations to see if that helps.

   Additional Information Needed:​

   To further assist you in troubleshooting this issue effectively, could you provide the following details:
   • Operating System: Which version of Windows are you currently using?
   • Computer Specifications: What are your computer's specifications (CPU, RAM, etc.)?
   • Antivirus Software: Which antivirus program are you using?
   • Browser Version: What browser are you using, and is it updated to the latest version?
   • Recent Changes: Have you made any recent changes to your system before these issues started occurring?
   By gathering this information, we can narrow down the possible causes and work towards resolving the problem. Let me know if you need guidance on how to find any of this information!