Programs become un-responsive (Read this if you want a real challenge!)

[FrickenTrevor]

Hey thanks for reading this! So I have Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit on a Toshiba Satellite C875-S7303. Lately I have noticed that programs will be come non-responsive for a second and then turn back to normal.

One of the biggest ones is Notepad. When I save a file and use the "Save as Type" dropdown, it will say " (Not Responding) " in the title bar for a while then return to normal.

[djr33]

No specific ideas. But could it be due to a nearly full hard drive? That's happened to me before.

[FrickenTrevor]

Actually I have 322GB free of 465GB. I also did a scan with Norton which came back negative for viruses. I feel like its a registry problem, but I dont know where it is located and plus its not just Notepad. It seems like all my programs seem to do that and random times. If it helps I can upload a gif/video of it happening, the events are repeatable

[djr33]

Or, somewhat similarly, could it be due to having too many files in a single folder where you're trying to save?
(This reminds me I really do need to organize my files. I have about 400+ miscellaneous files on my desktop, and my computer is running slowly, especially when I try to move things around, sometimes when saving. Might be similar to what is happening with you, might not. If so, I'd expect it would be somewhat similar across programs. If not, it's something about those programs.)

[james438]

djr33, if an icon is on your desktop that icon will cause certain aspects of the associated file to be loaded into memory at startup. ref (http://www.brighthub.com/computing/hardware/articles/66533.aspx)

[jscheuer1]

I have a similar setup. Win 7 Pro on a Toshiba Lapper, not sure the model. It came with Win 7 though, so I know it's capable.

Anyways, that happens to me sometimes. But almost only if I have a ton of things open and/or haven't rebooted in a week or more.

I routinely have 3 or more browsers open, ten or more tabs in at least one, ten or more files open in my editor, several browser's developer tools open, wamp, background bootstraps for other things (Open Office for one).

So I chalk it up to a combination of memory and just the sort of things that can happen when you haven't rebooted for awhile (I call them orphaned pathways - things that don''t show up in task manager, but are nonetheless unavailable once used).

Generally I can close down a few things and it improves. Ultimately I can reboot, which has the side effect of closing down at least some of the things I'm not currently working on.

Usually I only reboot after/as a part of an automatic update of the OS. But when those happen less than once a week as they have of late (summer I guess), I have to occasionally reboot anyway, just to keep things 'humming'.

[djr33]

John, that sounds like my browsing habits. I always have everything open.

James, that's interesting. I should note that I'm on a Mac, but I wouldn't be surprised if there are similar effects. Obviously something like RAM would be the same, and I think at least for having a full hard drive it would be as well. Probably for all of the icons on my desktop too.

[traq]

@FrickenTrevor defragged lately?


...I love Linux... : )

[jscheuer1]

defragged lately?

It might be that, but - NTFS, which is the file system used by Win 7 usually doesn't need much defragging. It does come with a handy util for it though.

From the Start Menu:

All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Defragmenter

[FrickenTrevor]

defragged lately?

Yeahs thats something I still need to do, perhaps that will help



I routinely have 3 or more browsers open, ten or more tabs in at least one, ten or more files open in my editor, several browser's developer tools open, wamp, background bootstraps for other things (Open Office for one)

I keep a very minimal/clean laptop. The most I have open is 3 or so browser windows (I use Chrome 28.0.1500.63 beta-m) and Steam (in the background). As for files/shortcuts, I only have the recycle bin on my desktop. No shortcuts or misc files. This is actually starting to sound more like a "describe your computer thread" :p

EDIT: Side note this is my 100th post :D Also thank you jscheuer1, traq, djr33, and james438 for helping

[djr33]

From that description, it's hard to imagine that the problems are due to your use of the computer. I'd guess there's something more fundamental/important wrong (anything from something wrong with the registry to a virus to corrupted install files, and so on). If you have the time, you might try reformatting. There may be a simpler way to fix it, but I can't guess what that is.

[FrickenTrevor]

I just ended up re installing Windows. *sigh* Thus continues the vicious cycle of Micro$oft