Q: I am using a desktop PC with Windows Vista Home Premium SP1, an Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 2.4GHz Processor, XFX nForce 790I Ultra SLI motherboard, 4GB of DDR3 RAM and a 500GB hard disk.
When I am playing games on the computer, it will freeze for about 15 seconds and then resume for a little while before freezing again for about 8 seconds.
Everything goes back to normal after that.
I do not know what is causing this.
I have Fix It Utility 9 installed and have tried using it to repair my system but the problem persists.
Benjamin Loo
A: Intermittent freezing is usually a problem associated with device drivers.
I suggest you check the XFX support site to verify that you have the latest version of Windows Hardware Qualified Labs (WHQL) installed and used with your setup.
You should also check the Bios (Basic Input Output System) revision of your motherboard to ensure that it is up-to-date.
The XFX site lists P08 as the most recent Bios revision.
There are two WHQL driver updates available but the Realtek driver download link is broken.
Where possible, use device drivers from only the motherboard manufacturer and not those from third parties.
If updating the device drivers does not remove the problem, it will have to be a process of elimination.
The first thing I would do is remove the Fix It Utility 9 software.
I have never had a software application solve a hardware or device driver problem.
It always boils down to good old troubleshooting.
The second most important thing is to ensure all your components are compatible with Vista.
You can perform a check using software from the Microsoft-Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor.
Find it at http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-vista/ get/upgrade-advisor.aspx.
The last piece of advice I can offer is to revert all the hardware components to standard operation by turning off any ?enhancements?, such as processor overclocking, motherboard tweaks and video card speed-ups.
I stress this last point because most users of a fairly high-end motherboard like the nForce 790i Ultra would be likely to tweak their system to get more out of it.
Additional information I have about the freezing issue points to the Aero interface but, in all likelihood, the problem is caused by the video card driver and, possibly, misbehaving widgets in the Sidebar.
Do consider disabling these as part of the troubleshooting process.
Answer by Chester Chen, a recognised Microsoft Most Valuable Professional specialising in Windows Desktop Experience
This story was first published in The Straits Times Digital Life.
