Computer locks up, possible bad CPU?

[crazyperson214]

Recently my rig has been locking up easily.

Here's what happens:

When I start up my PC it takes forever (5400 rpm slowness), but usually after it gets settled I can open as many internet browsers as I want, 30 MS words if I wanted.

Lately, I can only do 3 or 4 tasks and I have to be careful not to click too much or it locks up.

Also, it takes all eternity for some games to start up, sometimes the computer will just lock up and the HDD activity light stops completely. I ran a program to check the HDD and found it is 'fine,' but my back up drive was bad, so I unplugged the external back up drive.

I realize I'll most likely need a new HDD, but is there a problem with my CPU or my mobo? I'm asking because a meager 4 tasks should be nothing for it. I'm talking 4 internet tabs and it locks up. Only a hard restart works after that.

CPU is an AMD Phenom II X6 1100T BE no manual OC.
HDD is a Seagate Barracuda 1tb 5400 RPM

Computer assembled in summer of 2012

 

[geofelt]

Accumulated malware can cause those symptoms.
Run the free version of malwarebytes.

And... yes, 5400rpm drives are abysmally slow; they are built to conserve battery, not performance.

See if you can't replace it with a ssd.

 

[iceblitzed]

May want to run a defragmentation:
http://www.auslogics.com/en/software/disk-defrag/

Also, there is something much better than malwarebytes called combofix
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/combofix/

Stress test your computer to see if its really your cpu (there is a small chance it may cause your pc to malfunction from what I understand so its a risk thing. Although if a computer cannot stand up to a stress test then something is wrong so...)
https://www.jam-software.com/heavyload/

 

[crazyperson214]

Thanks for the advice on the malware. I did run malwarebytes recently in safe mode and it did remove some junk, but didn't fix the problem, I also ran combo fix with, unfortunately, no noticeable results.

I will for sure run a CPU stress test and see what happens. If my CPU is going and that test finishes it off, well, it needed fixed anyway. I can afford a new, well, everything if needed, I'm just hoping it's the old HDD failing.

I did purchase a new SSD today to replace my HDD. (SanDisk ultra II 480 gigs) So far computer has not locked up. Starts faster. I will post another update once all the updates for the os have gone through.

Possible onboard lan bit the dust, only 0-10 kb/s reported by task managers resource monitor. I'm also beginning to think the mobo is failing.

Going to name my pc "Lucky."

 

[geofelt]

Your parts are a bit obsolete.
I would spend on anything that can't be carried forward to a new build.
If you need to replace a motherboard, that is the time to buy a new cpu also.

 

[crazyperson214]

Update.

I went to Bestbuy and they price matched new egg on this SSD.

SanDisk Ultra II 2.5" 480GB SATA III Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) SDSSDHII-480G-G25

500mb/s r/w speeds.

After installation I loaded W7 and upgraded to W10. So far so good. I installed multiple programs and not one lock up. Not even a "hold on im loading" lock up in firefox.

Installed ms office in less than a minute lol!

Ill post a final update once I test the system with some games, but it's looking good!

10 sec start time too!!!!!

 

[crazyperson214]

Update:

Computer is running great! I installed Star Trek Online and it ran perfect. I run it in 4k all settings maxed and it was even smoother than before the upgrade. Only problem I have is everything heats up super quick. Will be purchasing a new case, CPU cooler, and PSU. Current case is too small, using a stock CPU cooler, and I want a more efficient PSU.