Steam (and other programs) Lock my computer up for 15-30 seconds intervals. Any advice?

[TokyoRacer]

My computer has been doing this for a while. Using Steam Store will cause my computer to freeze for between 15-30 seconds before my PC responds like nothing happened. Origin, Discord, and OBS also cause the same issue. I have plenty of other programs and games installed but none cause the issue. So far it's just those four programs.

Any advice as to what the issue might be and how to solve it? What information can I provide to help?

[Dr.Shadowds 🐉]

On Steam client, to the top left side, click on "Help", then click on system infromation from the drop down menu. Copy what's in the box, and paste it in this discussion. So we can know what your system hardware about.

[TokyoRacer]

Originally posted by Dr.Shadowds 🐉:

On Steam client, to the top left side, click on "Help", then click on system infromation from the drop down menu. Copy what's in the box, and paste it in this discussion. So we can know what your system hardware about.

Computer Information:
Manufacturer: Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd.
Model: To be filled by O.E.M.
Form Factor: Desktop
No Touch Input Detected

Processor Information:
CPU Vendor: AuthenticAMD
CPU Brand: AMD FX(tm)-8320 Eight-Core Processor
CPU Family: 0x15
CPU Model: 0x2
CPU Stepping: 0x0
CPU Type: 0x0
Speed: 3516 Mhz
8 logical processors
4 physical processors
HyperThreading: Supported
FCMOV: Supported
SSE2: Supported
SSE3: Supported
SSSE3: Supported
SSE4a: Supported
SSE41: Supported
SSE42: Supported
AES: Supported
AVX: Supported
AVX2: Unsupported
AVX512F: Unsupported
AVX512PF: Unsupported
AVX512ER: Unsupported
AVX512CD: Unsupported
AVX512VNNI: Unsupported
SHA: Unsupported
CMPXCHG16B: Supported
LAHF/SAHF: Supported
PrefetchW: Unsupported

Operating System Version:
Windows 10 (64 bit)
NTFS: Supported
Crypto Provider Codes: Supported 311 0x0 0x0 0x0

Video Card:
Driver: Radeon RX 580 Series
DirectX Driver Name: aticfx32.dll
Driver Version: 26.20.15003.5016
DirectX Driver Version: 26.20.15003.5016
Driver Date: 12 16 2019
OpenGL Version: 4.6
Desktop Color Depth: 32 bits per pixel
Monitor Refresh Rate: 59 Hz
DirectX Card: Radeon RX 580 Series
VendorID: 0x1002
DeviceID: 0x67df
Revision: 0xe7
Number of Monitors: 2
Number of Logical Video Cards: 2
No SLI or Crossfire Detected
Primary Display Resolution: 1920 x 1080
Desktop Resolution: 3840 x 1080
Primary Display Size: 20.08" x 11.30" (23.03" diag)
51.0cm x 28.7cm (58.5cm diag)
Primary Bus Type Not Detected
Primary VRAM Not Detected
Supported MSAA Modes: 2x 4x 8x

Sound card:
Audio device: Speakers (2- Logitech G933 Gami

Memory:
RAM: 16348 Mb

Miscellaneous:
UI Language: English
Media Type: DVD
Total Hard Disk Space Available: 1430225 Mb
Largest Free Hard Disk Block: 804067 Mb
OS Install Date: Dec 31 1969
Game Controller: Xbox One Elite Controller detected
VR Headset: None detected

[Dr.Shadowds 🐉]

Open task manager, do to repeat the issue, and keep an eye when the issue happens, either it be your CPU usage, or storeage usage problem.

Since you said this is a problem across multiple apps, this isn't strictly a Steam issue.

Did you do an update recently when the issue occur?
Did you install anything recently when the issue occur?
If using HDD, did you ever defrag your HDD?

[TokyoRacer]

Originally posted by Dr.Shadowds 🐉:

Open task manager, do to repeat the issue, and keep an eye when the issue happens, either it be your CPU usage, or storeage usage problem.

Since you said this is a problem across multiple apps, this isn't strictly a Steam issue.

Did you do an update recently when the issue occur?
Did you install anything recently when the issue occur?
If using HDD, did you ever defrag your HDD?

Task manager shows my C: Drive spiking and holding at 100% usage and during this time is when the computer freezes and once the usage drops back to 0% the computer unfreezes.

The problem has persisted for over a year now. I've made no hardware changes. I recently installed Windows 10 from Windows 7 on PC and reformatted my hard drive in the process.

I haven't installed anything recently to cause the issues and I honestly don't remember if there was anything specific to cause the issue because it started a long time ago.

I'm pretty good about defragging my HDDs but i haven't done so since I installed Windows 10 which was shortly after Christmas.

[Dr.Shadowds 🐉]

So you did a fresh whole system wipe, and install Windows 10?

Did you fully updated your Windows 10?

Did you install all your drivers, such Microsoft visual c++ 2005, and up for both 86x, and 64x bit versions, along with the Microsoft Frame works, XNA, and so on?

Did you install your AMD video driver?

What kind of HDD do you have? If you need help on this without having to open up system to find out, press windows key + R key to bring up the run command, type in " msinfo32 " now click on the + icon next to components, donw that list press the + icon for Storage, then click on Disks, to the right side you see the info you need, you see under item, Model to the right of that will tell you the brand, and model of it.

[TokyoRacer]

Originally posted by Dr.Shadowds 🐉:

So you did a fresh whole system wipe, and install Windows 10?

Did you fully updated your Windows 10?

Did you install all your drivers, such Microsoft visual c++ 2005, and up for both 86x, and 64x bit versions, along with the Microsoft Frame works, XNA, and so on?

Did you install your AMD video driver?

What kind of HDD do you have? If you need help on this without having to open up system to find out, press windows key + R key to bring up the run command, type in " msinfo32 " now click on the + icon next to components, donw that list press the + icon for Storage, then click on Disks, to the right side you see the info you need, you see under item, Model to the right of that will tell you the brand, and model of it.

I did a fresh system wipe and installed Windows 10.

Windows 10 is fully updated.

I installed all my drivers and double checked them using Driver Booster Pro.

I installed my AMD Video driver and the driver is up to date.

Samsung SSD 860 EVO 500GB ATA Device

[Dr.Shadowds 🐉]

Ah so your Windows is installed on your SSD correct?

Check the health state of your HDD driver with CrystalDiskInfo which I assume your 2nd drive is an 1TB HDD.

[TokyoRacer]

Originally posted by Dr.Shadowds 🐉:

Ah so your Windows is installed on your SSD correct?

Check the health state of your HDD driver with CrystalDiskInfo which I assume your 2nd drive is an 1TB HDD.

Correct. The SSD is for windows, programs and some games. the 1 TB HDD is just for games and general storage.

I've never used CrystalDiskInfo. But after installing it, it says my SSD is "Good 100%"

[Dr.Shadowds 🐉]

What about your HDD?

Do you use IOBit Unlocker, Avest, AVG, or etc??? That might be conflicting with the game clients?

[TokyoRacer]

Originally posted by Dr.Shadowds 🐉:

What about your HDD?

"Good"

[TokyoRacer]

Originally posted by Dr.Shadowds 🐉:

What about your HDD?

Do you use IOBit Unlocker, Avest, AVG, or etc??? That might be conflicting with the game clients?

I don't use any of those clients. I do use ZoneAlarm.

[Dr.Shadowds 🐉]

At this point, I can only assume possible apps conflicting with your game clients when you launch them, but idk what to tell you really. What kind of HDD is this? A 7200RPM, 5200RPM, a hybrid SDHD?

[TokyoRacer]

Originally posted by Dr.Shadowds 🐉:

At this point, I can only assume possible apps conflicting with your game clients when you launch them, but idk what to tell you really. What kind of HDD is this? A 7200RPM, 5200RPM, a hybrid SDHD?

Well I appreciate your detailed help. You've ruled out several things so far.

It's a Western Digital Black 7200 RPM - WDC WD1003FZEX-00MK2A0

[Dr.Shadowds 🐉]

Originally posted by TokyoRacer:

Originally posted by Dr.Shadowds 🐉:

What about your HDD?

Do you use IOBit Unlocker, Avest, AVG, or etc??? That might be conflicting with the game clients?

I don't use any of those clients. I do use ZoneAlarm.

Alright well I came across few things by search, but can't say this will solve your problem. I could assume maybe your ZoneAlarm is scanning your clients when launching them, and I would suggest testing this out, by adding the game clients to the excluded list on your ZoneAlarm.

https://support.zonealarm.com/hc/en-us/articles/115001819812-I-am-having-a-problem-playing-an-Online-Game-with-ZoneAlarm-running-

https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=2198-AGHC-7226

[TokyoRacer]

Originally posted by Dr.Shadowds 🐉:

Originally posted by TokyoRacer:

I don't use any of those clients. I do use ZoneAlarm.

Alright well I came across few things by search, but can't say this will solve your problem. I could assume maybe your ZoneAlarm is scanning your clients when launching them, and I would suggest testing this out, by adding the game clients to the excluded list on your ZoneAlarm.

https://support.zonealarm.com/hc/en-us/articles/115001819812-I-am-having-a-problem-playing-an-Online-Game-with-ZoneAlarm-running-

https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=2198-AGHC-7226

The article doesn't really apply to me as I don't seem to have any issue runnings games, singple player or online. The issue seems to be locked to four programs that I have installed - Steam, Origin, Discord and OBS.

I've already added those programs to the excluded list.

Yeah this is a real head scratcher isn't it?