Computer Semi Randomly Freezes

[Phillbert]

Hello,
I am having a problem with my custom built PC. Over the last few months, it has started to randomly freeze up. Sort of. When I first noticed the issue, I used Chrome. It would randomly freeze the entire computer, and after trying everything up to completely wiping all three hard drives (I have an SSD for the C, and two HDDs for D and E that hold most non essential programs, and a couple games) and starting from scratch, I finally gave up on Chrome, thinking it was the problem.
Over the last few weeks though, other programs are starting to do have the same issue. Illustrator, Edge, a few others. Oddly, they freeze after using for a while, not when starting or anything intensive. I can play games at full settings with no issue. What's weirder is that when it "freezes," it doesn't totally freeze. For example, I can move the mouse, and click items on the desktop. I can minimize and maximize applications (but I can't move them around.) I can open Edge, but it only shows me the opening blue screen; it never fully loads. I can interact with items in explorer, but I can't open anything, move anything, or view anything that isn't already open. I have no idea what the issue could be, though I do think it is hardware.
Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. I have not swapped any components, as I don't have anything to swap them with. Though I have done software tests on everything (but the board and PSU of course) I've even ran the computer with all but one stick of ram, and tested all four sticks.
I have an AMD Phenom II quad-core that runs at 38C and up to 42C when gaming (though gaming never freezes the computer.
I have an SSD as my C, and two HDDs for programs and movies and such (they are both former external portable driver)
Nothing has changed in a long time; no new components. Drivers are all good, Windows is up to date. No viruses. Wiping everything didn't fix or even help the issue, so its likely software.

 

[elbert]

Did you test your hd's and SSD? Did you perform smart test, self test, and generic test your drives? If not check them with hdtune, seatools, and WD's data lifeguard. Sounds like you done a good job testing g your memory. Run benchmarking test on you CPU and GPU. If you can test your PSU in another know working system.

 

[Phillbert]

Did you test your hd's and SSD? Did you perform smart test, self test, and generic test your drives? If not check them with hdtune, seatools, and WD's data lifeguard. Sounds like you done a good job testing g your memory. Run benchmarking test on you CPU and GPU. If you can test your PSU in another know working system.

Thanks for the reply. I have tested the CPU, HDDs, SSDs, GPU, RAM (whew, that was a lot of abbreviations) and they all come up great. CPU doesn't get too hot during a stress test. The power supply, unfortunately, I cannot swap because I don't have an equivalent one to swap with, though I don't think its that only because the freezes don't happen with high use, they happen when nothing too big is happening. Oh, and I made sure my power settings aren't turning off my hard drives. I'm wondering if my CPU is just starting to go, but its shown no other signs.

 

[elbert]

Try changing your windows power settings from balanced to performance. Could be a sleep mode or cool'n'quit issue.

 

[Phillbert]

Try changing your windows power settings from balanced to performance. Could be a sleep mode or cool'n'quit issue.

Good thinking. Unfortunately, it did not help. I've replaced the power supply, and a backup hard drive. No fix. Now, the computer seems to load up, work for 10 or so minutes, then freeze. The mouse will still move, but its very choppy and I can't click anything. If I restart the computer, it will work again for 10 or so minutes, then die again. Its not a heat issue. I have no idea.

 

[elbert]

If you have 2 sticks of RAM try removing one and see how it goes. Then the other if the same thing occures. Then try a reinstall of windows. Basically at that point all i can think is its a motherboard issue. Try resetting bios. If you dont know how with your motherboard remove the motherboard battery for 5 minutes should work.