Can viruses cause your computer to freeze

I have 3 computers. The computer that got a BSOD from a virus and required activation is different than the computer that continually freezes. Because my activation problem was solved here I decided to post my freezing problems as well.

I am most concerned about this freezing problem, because I bought this laptop about two years ago, new.

It also has more space on the hard drive than my other computers and is significantly faster. I actually think now that the problem could be with an audio driver because the audio drivers, although not flagged in device manager as having a problem, does not work.

I know this because I cannot hear any sound and when I go to sound and audio devices in control panel, it says, "no audio devices. About 30 minutes later, while I was watching a Youtube video, the computer froze and made beeping noises 3. I restarted the computer by holding the power button and proceeded to use the computer. The audio crackled during my use. When the computer crashed 3 more times, I decided to wait until tommorow.

The next day the computer continued freezing, so I installed a bunch of other drivers on said Dell page 5. Computer crashes became worse and the audio no longer worked 6. I performed several methods in an attempt to fix the computer, including reformatting the hard drive, reinstalling the new BIOS, removing a bunch of files and programs, and installing windows xp sp3 7. The computer continues crashing at a higher frequency espescially right after installing xp sp3 8.

While my brother was using a different computer, he got a virus which caused the computer to get the BSOD and verification problems. But these problems were resolved and that computer no longer has any problems. I also learned how to remove anti-virus pro, so I was able to help another member. I post the freezing problem on TS I was instructed to perform a S. T test and hard drive test, as instructed by another member, and found no problems.

Just like the driver, there is also the flipside. It could be freezing because the operating system needs updated. If you are on Windows and go to system settings, you can find an update system tab. Here it will let you know if you are all up to date or not.

If not, go ahead and install the newest version just to be safe. If you are running on a desktop, there is more of a chance that your computer is collecting dust. At least that is my own personal experience. If this is the case, the fans could be clogged up from the dust particles.

The problem with that is the fans are what is trying to keep your computer cool so that it can run the best. If the dust and such is preventing that, this could also cause your computer to freeze.

If you know how, I would open up your PC and check the fans. A computer freezing up is not so much harmful to your computer, but rather a warning sign. The best way to restart a frozen computer is to hold the power button down for five to 10 seconds. This will allow your computer to restart safely without the disruption of a total power loss. Make sure to disconnect any headphones or extra cords as these items can cause glitches as your computer restarts. If your computer freezes again during the start-up process, however, it's time to explore other options for solving the problem.

When too many software programs are running on your computer at the same time, your operating system can get overwhelmed. This causes websites and applications to drag, freeze, or even crash.

If your Mac or PC repeatedly crashes after force quitting certain applications, you may need to uninstall them. They're likely incompatible with your hard drive. Another way to keep your computer safe from freezing or crashing is called, well, Safe Mode. Unlike force quitting, this feature automatically strips your computer of unnecessary apps during the startup process.

The downside, however, is that your computer will disable videos, games, and high-resolution graphics, among other applications. So it's best to use this option only when you're troubleshooting critical issues. After your device restarts, a list of options will appear.

Select option 5 or press the F5 key for Safe Mode with Networking. This will allow you to connect to the internet. Your PC will now restart in Safe Mode. Updating the software sometimes prevents the computer from freezing. Beyond that, rebooting is the most effective way to deal with occasional software-related freezes. Q: Could a malware infection cause my computer to freeze? A: Yes! In fact, computer freezes and crashes are among the top signs your computer is infected.

In some cases, the malware overwhelms your system by opening dozens of applications that run in the background, eating up your computer's memory and causing it to freeze. If your computer continues to freeze after a reboot, it's time for a virus scan with the most current security solution.

Q: My software is updated, and my system is virus-free. What else could cause the problem? A: Your operating system could frequently freeze for a number of other reasons, including the following:. Q: What can I do to reduce computer freezes?