Total Long Shot Question

[ArkiStan]

I know this is a total long shot, but I'm gonna ask a completely out there question with clearly insufficient background information. Bear with me.

My laptop (XP running on Macbook Pro with Bootcamp) freezez for about 10 seconds at about 30 min-1 hr intervals. I have no idea if it's a hardware, software, network, other problem. Can anybody suggest where to start if wanted to look into a possible solution? The issue is nothing critical, just an annoyance. It seems like it freezes mostly while I'm surfing the web, but that could just be because that is what I spend the most time doing on my computer.

Totally apologize for this question.... :dead:

[attgig]

is it kinda like this?
http://www.gotapex.com/technical-support/175133-internet-pauses.html

[Cubsfan]

What graphics card do you have? And when was your MBP made?

[Devhux]

Also, are you using a regular hard drive or an SSD?

(my question is a bit far off too - but I do know some older SSDs would have freezing/stuttering issues during small random writes).

[ArkiStan]

I'm using a regular HDD. My graphics card is an NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT 512MB, which came installed on the MBP. This never happened until I recently reformated the computer.

I have a hunch that it has something to do with my wifi connection or wireless card. Unlike attgig's link, it's not just the internet that pauses, but rather the whole computer. I can't move my mouse, can't type, nothing for 10 seconds at a time. I do notice that sometimes after the freeze is gone I get another popup notification saying that I have been "connected to my wireless connection." Let's say I knew as a fact that it is my wireless hardware causing the trouble. What would be the first step in resolving it? Reinstalling my wifi adapter drivers?

[Cubsfan]

So is this only in XP? Or is it in OSX too?

[ArkiStan]

haven't tested out OSX enough to tell yet. so far XP.

as for the "you are now connected to wireless network XXX" popups that I'm getting after the freezes...i'm wondering if it's the wifi issue that is causing the freezes or the freezes that is causing a temporary disconnection from my wifi signal thus resulting in a reconnection after the freeze stops. of course this is assuming that the freezes have anything to do with the my wifi.

[Cubsfan]

Try out OSX. If it happens there too then it's not a driver issue. If it doesn't than probably a driver issue. Another thing to look out for, though I don't think it's causing your issue, is this:
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2377

[gwilks98]

it could be faulty hardware. Do you have access to a cheap usb wifi nic that you could try?


NICs can cause some crazy problems.

[ArkiStan]

also one more observation. whenever it freezes, if there was music/sound playing it sounds like it's skipping like a scratched CD, only at a really fast rate....like a laser machine gun? sorry that's the best description i can think of.

[Devhux]

That will typically happen if the computer is freezing completely (and isn't always related to the audio driver).

I'd definitely try a different WiFi adapter (and disabling your onboard one) as a test.