<div>
So just remove Nortons Anti Virus and install MS Sec Essentials? &nbsp;:-)
</div>


So just remove Nortons Anti Virus and install MS Sec Essentials?  :-)

<div>
Have you looked in the Windows Event logs to determine if there are any warnings or errors occurring every five minutes? &nbsp;(I've see display drivers fail in this way before, but it would put a notice in the System event log...)<br />
<br />
If you want to stress the hardware, taking the OS/drivers out of the loop... you could try the <a href="http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/" rel="ugc">Ultimate Boot CD</a> which includes several diagnostic/stress testing utilities.
</div>


Have you looked in the Windows Event logs to determine if there are any warnings or errors occurring every five minutes?  (I've see display drivers fail in this way before, but it would put a notice in the System event log...)

If you want to stress the hardware, taking the OS/drivers out of the loop... you could try the Ultimate Boot CD [http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/] which includes several diagnostic/stress testing utilities.

<div>
when it freezes, is that in one program - or in all?<br />
is it downloading &nbsp;- or installing softwares or updates?
</div>


when it freezes, is that in one program - or in all?
is it downloading  - or installing softwares or updates?

<div>
<div class="content wysiwyg-content">
Hi,<br />
<br />
Tested hdd - passed<br />
Tested memory - passed <br />
<br />
The fan was quite dusty - perhaps that's all it was. <br />
<br />
Is there a way to stress test the PC ?<br />
Win 7 <br />
<br />
Thanks
</div>
</div>


Hi,

Tested hdd - passed
Tested memory - passed 

The fan was quite dusty - perhaps that's all it was. 

Is there a way to stress test the PC ?
Win 7 

Thanks

PC intermitently freezes up for a few seconds every five or so minutes

Windows 7 is an operating system from Microsoft. Features include multi-touch support, a redesigned Windows Shell with a new taskbar, referred to as the Superbar, a home networking system called HomeGroup, and performance improvements.

Windows 7

Hardware includes cell phones and other digital living devices, tablets, computers, servers, peripherals and components, printers and scanners, gaming consoles, networking hardware such as routers, hubs, switches and modems, storage devices and security equipment such as firewalls and other appliances.