What causes computer to have frequent (every 15-20 minutes) pauses which lock the computer up for about 1 minute each time it happens? This happens in any program. Thanks for helping me.

Vonn

In general such behavior is caused by some process using 100% CPU.

One way to track this is to open the Task Manager:

Start/Run/ taskmgr

Open the Process Tab & keep an eye out for a Peaking process.

Note that process.

Also: look in your Event viewer: Start/Run/ eventvwr
Open the system as well as the application tabs & look for X errors. Click error line for details.
Post back the source & event id especially of errors that seem to coincide with a freeze.

Hi Vonn Mann,
Just like jephree said

In general such behavior is caused by some process using 100% CPU

Some program OR programs running on your computer (at the time of the "crash/lockup") are "using up" all the available memory and/or CPU resources.
Disable or reduce the # of probrams you have running in the background (ie. the ones that start automatically when your computer first starts up).
If that doesn't solve the problem..
Check your system for "hidden" programs such as virus's etc.
If that doesn't solve the problem..
Get more memory in your computer if you are running large programs like databases, games, video editing etc.
If that doesn't solve the problem..
Do a complete system hardware troubleshooting
Hope this helps
RGPHNX