Win10 - weird freezing and clock stops issue

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kiwifidget

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#296265 3-Jun-2022 10:44

Hi,

There is a weird problem on my dad's computer.

It's a fairly new HP AiO, maybe 3 years old tops.

It is frequently locking up, or freezing, and the clock stops, and the cursor becomes a blue circle.

This happens even if no programs are open.

But the keyboard and mouse still work, and he can resume operations just by Ctrl-Alt-Del and signing out and in again, a full reboot isn't needed.

I say the mouse still works but only insomuch as you can move the blue circle around the desktop, and you can click Sign Out after doing the Ctrl-Alt-Del..

We have tried just leaving it for a while, but it doesn't seem to come back of its own accord.

It's about the weirdest thing I've ever seen.

Any ideas before I head down multiple google rabbit holes?

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#2922207 3-Jun-2022 11:36

Have you considered doing a windows restore?

https://www.tomsguide.com/how-to/how-to-factory-reset-on-windows-10

Backup any personal files etc first of course.

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wratterus

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#2922216 3-Jun-2022 12:00

Does this PC have AMD graphics?

Have seen some issues recently with micro-freezing & crashing issues, seems to be resolved by fully removing drivers (DDU), then offline, update the BIOS, install the latest graphics driver from the manufacturer & put it back online.

May not be that though of course.

kiwifidget

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#2922283 3-Jun-2022 15:02

No AMD graphics, it's an Intel PC.

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allan

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#2922309 3-Jun-2022 16:08

Bad disk sectors?

kiwifidget

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#2922335 3-Jun-2022 17:10

allan:

Bad disk sectors?

I'm almost sure it has an SSD, do they get those?

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allan

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#2922343 3-Jun-2022 17:33

kiwifidget:

allan:

Bad disk sectors?

I'm almost sure it has an SSD, do they get those?

I think technically memory, but yes they can have an equivalent issue. Try running a chkdsk to confirm. Probably needs to be run as administrator

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kiwifidget

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#2922348 3-Jun-2022 17:47

@allan thanks for that suggestion. I am a few 100ks from the said pc for a week or few, so I'll have a go at that then.

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alinz

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#2922483 3-Jun-2022 22:22

I'd probably go for a fresh Windows install. If the clock is still stopping after that then perhaps try changing the motherboard battery.

cddt

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#2922645 4-Jun-2022 14:09

Do a complete reinstall of Windows after backing up personal files.

Then do a chkdsk for the hard drive. Do this from a command prompt before Windows boots (e.g. Update & Security > Advanced Startup > Restart now > Command Prompt > chkdsk /f)

The clock stopping is just a red herring, I don't expect the motherboard battery to have anything to do with that as PCs work fine without them (time is maintained by the network these days).

kiwifidget

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#2933119 22-Jun-2022 11:59

I find myself sitting in front of the pc in question.

Dad has worked out, probably thru frustration, that rapid clicking the taskbar a few times brings the pc back to life and the clock catches up to real time, whereby normal usage can resume until it happens again, usually within an hour.

I'm reluctant to do a major overhaul for something that has a reasonably painless work-around.

Just really curious what's causing it.

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Dynamic

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#2933140 22-Jun-2022 12:56

I'd suggest downloading the latest HP Support Assistant, which will prompt to update drivers/firmware and can run some basic diagnostics.

HP Support Assistant | HP® Support

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#2933159 22-Jun-2022 14:21

try,

turn of all power saving , screen savers, hybernation

mclean

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#2933441 23-Jun-2022 10:44

And remove everything from the external ports.

kiwifidget

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#2933477 23-Jun-2022 12:04

Dynamic:

I'd suggest downloading the latest HP Support Assistant, which will prompt to update drivers/firmware and can run some basic diagnostics.

HP Support Assistant | HP® Support

Everything already up to date, and all tests passed.

I noticed an audible fan noise during the cpu test.

Pretty sure I've heard that same noise about the same time the clock stops.

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kiwifidget

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#2933479 23-Jun-2022 12:05

mclean:

And remove everything from the external ports.

Even the keyboard and mouse?

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