computer periodically freezes for about 4 mins, then resumes as normal.

ThinkPad T61 running vista business sp2 intel core duo 2.1GHz 2GB RAM.

This problem is most common soon after boot up, but can, and has happened at all sorts of times. Things don't immediately freeze, but gradually. One program will become unresponsive, then the next, then the mouse cursor refuses to move and it stays like that for a few minutes. The think light always works under these conditions. When the computer resumes normal activity, it is preceded by an audible click. As far as i can remember, this click occurs before the computer freezes also.

i have just gone through a malware removal session with dragonmaster jay, so it's not that. the problem doesn't happen as often, and my laptop has speeded up significantly, but the original problem is still there. I also cannot disable the microphone output. when i can hear myself typing really loud through my speakers whether the mic is disabled or not. any help would be greatly appreciated, as these are two veyr annoying issues! i'm not sure if a hijack this is relevant here, but here's one anyway!

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.3 (BETA)
Scan saved at 00:59:09, on 02/03/2010
Platform: Windows Vista SP2 (WinNT 6.00.1906)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v7.00 (7.00.6002.18005)
Boot mode: Normal

Running processes:
C:\Windows\system32\taskeng.exe
C:\Windows\system32\Dwm.exe
C:\Windows\Explorer.EXE
C:\Program Files\Lenovo\NPDIRECT\tpfnf7sp.exe
C:\Program Files\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPEnh.exe
C:\Windows\System32\TpShocks.exe
C:\Program Files\ThinkPad\Utilities\EZEJMNAP.EXE
C:\Windows\System32\rundll32.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Lenovo\Scheduler\scheduler_proxy.exe
C:\Program Files\Lenovo\AwayTask\AwaySch.EXE
C:\Program Files\ThinkVantage\PrdCtr\LPMGR.EXE
C:\Program Files\ThinkVantage\AMSG\Amsg.exe
C:\Program Files\ThinkPad\ConnectUtilities\ACTray.exe
C:\Program Files\ThinkPad\ConnectUtilities\ACWLIcon.exe
C:\Program Files\Lenovo\Client Security Solution\cssauth.exe
C:\Windows\System32\igfxtray.exe
C:\Windows\System32\hkcmd.exe
C:\Windows\system32\igfxsrvc.exe
C:\Windows\System32\igfxpers.exe
C:\Program Files\Lenovo\HOTKEY\TPOSDSVC.exe
C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe
C:\Program Files\Lenovo\HOTKEY\TPONSCR.exe
C:\Program Files\Lenovo\Zoom\TpScrex.exe
C:\Program Files\FlashGet\flashget.exe
C:\Program Files\Analog Devices\Core\smax4pnp.exe
C:\Program Files\Sandboxie\SbieCtrl.exe
C:\Program Files\Sophos\AutoUpdate\ALMon.exe
C:\Program Files\Digital Line Detect\DLG.exe
C:\Windows\system32\wuauclt.exe
C:\Program Files\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPLpr.exe
C:\Program Files\Lenovo\Client Security Solution\tvtpwm_tray.exe
C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunes.exe
C:\Program Files\Skype\Phone\Skype.exe
C:\Program Files\Skype\Plugin Manager\skypePM.exe
C:\Program Files\VideoLAN\VLC\vlc.exe
C:\Program Files\Windows Defender\MSASCui.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\bin\AppleMobileDeviceHelper.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\bin\distnoted.exe
C:\Users\USER\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe
C:\Users\USER\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe
C:\Users\USER\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe
C:\Users\USER\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe
C:\Users\USER\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe
C:\Users\USER\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe
C:\Users\USER\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe
C:\Users\USER\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe
C:\Users\USER\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe
C:\Users\USER\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe
C:\Users\USER\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe
C:\Users\USER\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe
C:\Users\USER\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe
C:\Users\USER\AppData\Local\Google\Google Talk Plugin\googletalkplugin.exe
C:\Users\USER\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe
C:\Program Files\TrendMicro\HiJackThis\HiJackThis.exe
C:\Windows\system32\SearchFilterHost.exe
C:\Program Files\Windows Media Player\wmplayer.exe

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://lenovo.live.com
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyOverride = *.local
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar,LinksFolderName =
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {02478D38-C3F9-4efb-9B51-7695ECA05670} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHelperStub - {18DF081C-E8AD-4283-A596-FA578C2EBDC3} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelperShim.dll
O2 - BHO: Skype add-on (mastermind) - {22BF413B-C6D2-4d91-82A9-A0F997BA588C} - C:\Program Files\Skype\Toolbars\Internet Explorer\SkypeIEPlugin.dll
O2 - BHO: flashget urlcatch - {2F364306-AA45-47B5-9F9D-39A8B94E7EF7} - C:\Program Files\FlashGet\jccatch.dll
O2 - BHO: Sophos Web Content Scanner - {39EA7695-B3F2-4C44-A4BC-297ADA8FD235} - C:\Program Files\Sophos\Sophos Anti-Virus\SophosBHO.dll
O2 - BHO: Groove GFS Browser Helper - {72853161-30C5-4D22-B7F9-0BBC1D38A37E} - C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office12\GrooveShellExtensions.dll
O2 - BHO: Windows Live Toolbar Helper - {BDBD1DAD-C946-4A17-ADC1-64B5B4FF55D0} - c:\Program Files\Windows Live Toolbar\msntb.dll
O2 - BHO: Java(tm) Plug-In 2 SSV Helper - {DBC80044-A445-435b-BC74-9C25C1C588A9} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jp2ssv.dll
O2 - BHO: ThinkVantage Password Manager - {F040E541-A427-4CF7-85D8-75E3E0F476C5} - C:\Program Files\Lenovo\Client Security Solution\tvtpwm_ie_com.dll
O2 - BHO: FlashGet GetFlash Class - {F156768E-81EF-470C-9057-481BA8380DBA} - C:\Program Files\FlashGet\getflash.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Windows Live Toolbar - {BDAD1DAD-C946-4A17-ADC1-64B5B4FF55D0} - c:\Program Files\Windows Live Toolbar\msntb.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SynTPEnh] C:\Program Files\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPEnh.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TpShocks] TpShocks.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [EZEJMNAP] C:\PROGRA~1\ThinkPad\UTILIT~1\EzEjMnAp.Exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PWMTRV] rundll32 C:\PROGRA~1\ThinkPad\UTILIT~1\PWMTR32V.DLL,PwrMgrBkGndMonitor
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [BLOG] rundll32 C:\PROGRA~1\ThinkPad\UTILIT~1\BTVLogEx.DLL,StartBattLog
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AwaySch] C:\Program Files\Lenovo\AwayTask\AwaySch.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LPManager] C:\PROGRA~1\THINKV~2\PrdCtr\LPMGR.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ACTray] C:\Program Files\ThinkPad\ConnectUtilities\ACTray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ACWLIcon] C:\Program Files\ThinkPad\ConnectUtilities\ACWLIcon.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [cssauth] "C:\Program Files\Lenovo\Client Security Solution\cssauth.exe" silent
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IgfxTray] C:\Windows\system32\igfxtray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HotKeysCmds] C:\Windows\system32\hkcmd.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Persistence] C:\Windows\system32\igfxpers.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TPHOTKEY] C:\Program Files\Lenovo\HOTKEY\TPOSDSVC.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Adobe Reader Speed Launcher] "C:\Program Files\Adobe\Reader 9.0\Reader\Reader_sl.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SoundMAXPnP] C:\Program Files\Analog Devices\Core\smax4pnp.exe
O4 - Startup: LenovoWelcome.lnk = C:\SWTOOLS\LenovoWelcome\LenovoWelcome.cmd
O4 - Global Startup: AutoUpdate Monitor.lnk = C:\Program Files\Sophos\AutoUpdate\ALMon.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Digital Line Detect.lnk = C:\Program Files\Digital Line Detect\DLG.exe
O8 - Extra context menu item: &Download All with FlashGet - C:\Program Files\FlashGet\jc_all.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: &Download with FlashGet - C:\Program Files\FlashGet\jc_link.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: &Windows Live Search - res://c:\Program Files\Windows Live Toolbar\msntb.dll/search.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~1\Office12\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O8 - Extra context menu item: Send image to &Bluetooth Device... - C:\Program Files\ThinkPad\Bluetooth Software\btsendto_ie_ctx.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: Send page to &Bluetooth Device... - C:\Program Files\ThinkPad\Bluetooth Software\btsendto_ie.htm
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {0045D4BC-5189-4b67-969C-83BB1906C421} - C:\Program Files\Lenovo\Client Security Solution\tvtpwm_ie_com.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: ThinkVantage Password Manager... - {0045D4BC-5189-4b67-969C-83BB1906C421} - C:\Program Files\Lenovo\Client Security Solution\tvtpwm_ie_com.dll
O9 - Extra button: Send to OneNote - {2670000A-7350-4f3c-8081-5663EE0C6C49} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~1\Office12\ONBttnIE.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: S&end to OneNote - {2670000A-7350-4f3c-8081-5663EE0C6C49} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~1\Office12\ONBttnIE.dll
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {5067A26B-1337-4436-8AFE-EE169C2DA79F} - C:\Program Files\Skype\Toolbars\Internet Explorer\SkypeIEPlugin.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Skype add-on for Internet Explorer - {5067A26B-1337-4436-8AFE-EE169C2DA79F} - C:\Program Files\Skype\Toolbars\Internet Explorer\SkypeIEPlugin.dll
O9 - Extra button: Skype - {77BF5300-1474-4EC7-9980-D32B190E9B07} - C:\Program Files\Skype\Toolbars\Internet Explorer\SkypeIEPlugin.dll
O9 - Extra button: Research - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~1\Office12\REFIEBAR.DLL
O9 - Extra button: PartyPoker.com - {B7FE5D70-9AA2-40F1-9C6B-12A255F085E1} - C:\Programs\PartyGaming\PartyPoker\RunApp.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: PartyPoker.com - {B7FE5D70-9AA2-40F1-9C6B-12A255F085E1} - C:\Programs\PartyGaming\PartyPoker\RunApp.exe
O9 - Extra button: @btrez.dll,-4015 - {CCA281CA-C863-46ef-9331-5C8D4460577F} - C:\Program Files\ThinkPad\Bluetooth Software\btsendto_ie.htm
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: @btrez.dll,-12650 - {CCA281CA-C863-46ef-9331-5C8D4460577F} - C:\Program Files\ThinkPad\Bluetooth Software\btsendto_ie.htm
O9 - Extra button: FlashGet - {D6E814A0-E0C5-11d4-8D29-0050BA6940E3} - C:\Program Files\FlashGet\FlashGet.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: FlashGet - {D6E814A0-E0C5-11d4-8D29-0050BA6940E3} - C:\Program Files\FlashGet\FlashGet.exe
O16 - DPF: {A3256902-51FA-45A0-8A97-FC1143C169D9} (Diagnostics ActiveX WebControl) - http://support.microsoft.com/mats/DiagWebControl.cab
O16 - DPF: {E2883E8F-472F-4FB0-9522-AC9BF37916A7} - http://platformdl.adobe.com/NOS/getPlusPlus/1.6/gp.cab
O18 - Protocol: grooveLocalGWS - {88FED34C-F0CA-4636-A375-3CB6248B04CD} - C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office12\GrooveSystemServices.dll
O20 - AppInit_DLLs: C:\PROGRA~1\Sophos\SOPHOS~1\sophos_detoured.dll
O22 - SharedTaskScheduler: Component Categories cache daemon - {8C7461EF-2B13-11d2-BE35-3078302C2030} - C:\Windows\system32\browseui.dll
O23 - Service: Ac Profile Manager Service (AcPrfMgrSvc) - Lenovo - C:\Program Files\ThinkPad\ConnectUtilities\AcPrfMgrSvc.exe
O23 - Service: Access Connections Main Service (AcSvc) - Lenovo - C:\Program Files\ThinkPad\ConnectUtilities\AcSvc.exe
O23 - Service: Andrea ADI Filters Service (AEADIFilters) - Andrea Electronics Corporation - C:\Windows\system32\AEADISRV.EXE
O23 - Service: Apple Mobile Device - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\bin\AppleMobileDeviceService.exe
O23 - Service: Bonjour Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe
O23 - Service: Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless Event Log (EvtEng) - Intel Corporation - C:\Program Files\Intel\Wireless\Bin\EvtEng.exe
O23 - Service: Google Updater Service (gusvc) - Google - C:\Program Files\Google\Common\Google Updater\GoogleUpdaterService.exe
O23 - Service: ThinkPad PM Service (IBMPMSVC) - Lenovo - C:\Windows\system32\ibmpmsvc.exe
O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager (IDriverT) - Macrovision Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\Driver\1150\Intel 32\IDriverT.exe
O23 - Service: iPod Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
O23 - Service: IPS Core Service (IPSSVC) - Lenovo Group Limited - C:\Windows\system32\IPSSVC.EXE
O23 - Service: IviRegMgr - InterVideo - C:\Program Files\Common Files\InterVideo\RegMgr\iviRegMgr.exe
O23 - Service: Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless Registry Service (RegSrvc) - Intel Corporation - C:\Program Files\Intel\Wireless\Bin\RegSrvc.exe
O23 - Service: Roxio UPnP Renderer 9 - Sonic Solutions - C:\Program Files\Roxio\Digital Home 9\RoxioUPnPRenderer9.exe
O23 - Service: Roxio Upnp Server 9 - Sonic Solutions - C:\Program Files\Roxio\Digital Home 9\RoxioUpnpService9.exe
O23 - Service: RoxMediaDB9 - Sonic Solutions - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Roxio Shared\9.0\SharedCOM\RoxMediaDB9.exe
O23 - Service: Sophos Anti-Virus status reporter (SAVAdminService) - Sophos Plc - C:\Program Files\Sophos\Sophos Anti-Virus\SAVAdminService.exe
O23 - Service: Sophos Anti-Virus (SAVService) - Sophos Plc - C:\Program Files\Sophos\Sophos Anti-Virus\SavService.exe
O23 - Service: Sandboxie Service (SbieSvc) - tzuk - C:\Program Files\Sandboxie\SbieSvc.exe
O23 - Service: Sophos AutoUpdate Service - Sophos Plc - C:\Program Files\Sophos\AutoUpdate\ALsvc.exe
O23 - Service: stllssvr - MicroVision Development, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\SureThing Shared\stllssvr.exe
O23 - Service: System Update (SUService) - - c:\Program Files\Lenovo\System Update\SUService.exe
O23 - Service: ThinkVantage Registry Monitor Service - Lenovo Group Limited - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Lenovo\tvt_reg_monitor_svc.exe
O23 - Service: ThinkPad HDD APS Logging Service (TPHDEXLGSVC) - Lenovo. - C:\Windows\System32\TPHDEXLG.exe
O23 - Service: On Screen Display (TPHKSVC) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\LENOVO\HOTKEY\TPHKSVC.exe
O23 - Service: TSS Core Service (TSSCoreService) - IBM - C:\Program Files\Lenovo\Client Security Solution\tvttcsd.exe
O23 - Service: TVT Backup Protection Service - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Lenovo\Rescue and Recovery\rrpservice.exe
O23 - Service: TVT Backup Service - Lenovo Group Limited - C:\Program Files\Lenovo\Rescue and Recovery\rrservice.exe
O23 - Service: TVT Scheduler - Lenovo Group Limited - c:\Program Files\Common Files\Lenovo\Scheduler\tvtsched.exe
O23 - Service: tvtnetwk - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Lenovo\Rescue and Recovery\ADM\IUService.exe
O23 - Service: Vodafone Mobile Connect Service (VMCService) - Vodafone - C:\Program Files\Vodafone\Vodafone Mobile Connect\Bin\VMCService.exe
O23 - Service: XAudioService - Conexant Systems, Inc. - C:\Windows\system32\DRIVERS\xaudio.exe

--
End of file - 13731 bytes


thank you

bumpety bump

am i doing something wrong here? please tell me what i need to do to gain a reply. thanks

the problem is still there, yet i have not got a response in over a month. if i am breaking any rules, i'd really appreciate it if somebody let me know. thanks

Hello,

• Open HijackThis
  
• Choose "Do a system scan only"
  
• Check the boxes in front of these lines:
  
  
  O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SynTPEnh] C:\Program Files\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPEnh.exe
  O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TpShocks] TpShocks.exe
  O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AwaySch] C:\Program Files\Lenovo\AwayTask\AwaySch.EXE
  O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LPManager] C:\PROGRA~1\THINKV~2\PrdCtr\LPMGR.exe
  O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IgfxTray] C:\Windows\system32\igfxtray.exe
  O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HotKeysCmds] C:\Windows\system32\hkcmd.exe
  O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Persistence] C:\Windows\system32\igfxpers.exe
  O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Adobe Reader Speed Launcher] "C:\Program Files\Adobe\Reader 9.0\Reader\Reader_sl.exe"
  O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SoundMAXPnP] C:\Program Files\Analog Devices\Core\smax4pnp.exe
  O4 - Startup: LenovoWelcome.lnk = C:\SWTOOLS\LenovoWelcome\LenovoWelcome.cmd
  O4 - Global Startup: Digital Line Detect.lnk = C:\Program Files\Digital Line Detect\DLG.exe
  
  
  
• Press "Fix Checked"
  
• Close Hijack This.
  

---

During the normal operation of your computer, Windows and your other program create an awful lot of temporary files. Though it's called temporary, they don't usually get removed, so they build up.

CCleaner is a great and free utility I use to delete temporary files automatically. It's able to free up disk space and speed up your computer. Read this topic on how to install and run CCleaner.

---

Having a lot of programs installed on your computer can slow it down. Do you really use them all? If you don't, uninstall the ones which you do not need.

If you are using Windows XP:

• Click Start >> Control Panel >> Add or Remove Programs
  
• Select the program you want to remove to highlight it.
  
• Click the Change/Remove button and follow the instructions given on screen.
  
• Repeat these steps for all programmes you wish to remove.

If you are using Windows Vista or Windows 7:

• Click Start >> Type in uninstall a program
  
• Select the program you want to remove to highlight it.
  
• Click the Uninstall/Change button and follow the instructions given on screen.
  
• Repeat these steps for all programmes you wish to remove.

---

Every time you write a file to your hard drive, the drive controller has to find space on it. During this process, it break the files into fragments so that it can use the available disk space efficiently. However over time files can become very fragmented because of this, and your drive controller has to work harder to find all the fragments and combine them so that a program can use it. This slows things down, depending on the amount of fragmentation of your files, it can slow things down a lot.

So it's a good idea to defragment your hard drive. This will rearrange the fragments on your drive so they form contiguous entities which are much easier for your drive controller to deal with. Note that this is a time consuming operation, usually taking several hours if you're doing it for the first time. You can stop defragmenting any time and start again. It will continue defragmenting from where it stopped.


If you are using Windows XP:

• Click Start >> All Programs >> Accessories >> System Tools >> Disk Defragmenter >> click the Defragment button.

If you are using Windows Vista or Windows 7:

• Click Start >> Type in Disk Defragmenter >> click the Defragment Now button >> Select drives to defragment >> Click OK to start.

Let me know how it goes.

Thanks. i regularly use ccleaner and defrag regularly also. i have tried the hijack this fixes and will let you know if there are any other developments.

have you any idea about the audio output problem? i cannot seem to mute my microphone and it picks up the sound of my typing and amplifies it through the speakers when i am listening to music. the only application that seems to be able to mute the microphone is skype.

The problem still persists even after doing everything you mentioned.

I had a computer in my office doing the exact same thing. Unfortunately, it turned out to be the hard drive dying.

The computer in my office would stall at 3-4 min. We first tried to disconnect the network connection. Problem still occurred with no internet connection. We tried to disable all start up programs, including the antivirus which didn't help. We tried booting into safe mode and we still had the problem. After scanning the hard drive for bad sectors, we discovered quite a few bad sectors and blocks. We replaced the HD and problem no longer exists.

Of course, we did also have to reload the OS and software.

thanks for your input. the machine is still under warranty with lenovo so i suppose i'll just get in touch with them.

Hi,
I was just ggogling through and saw this thread.
I'm experiancing similiar issues, but when i uninstall the latest version of Sophos (9.0.5) the issues stop; then reappear when i install Sophos again.
Of couse it may be loads of other things....

If this works for your please reply so
Cheers
Stuart

hi there. i had given up on this problem (despite it still being present) and just came back to this thread now. i will uninstall sophos and see how that goes.

the problem still persisted with or without sophos. i eventually, gave up, backed up my data, reinstalled windows, updated all my drivers, hard drive firmware and BIOS, then updated my lenovo thinkvantage technologies software. problem solved!

Thanks for let us know. Doc, mark as solved