Windows 7 all programs "Not Responding"

If all else fails, Fresh install windows 7. If you have a pirated version of win 7, stop being a prick and buy a legit copy so you can guarantee no problems with warranty. If you have a legit copy and still have problems, go back to where ever you got it and get it replaces since you can only replace software with the same copy.

I empathize, these mysterious ones bug me.

Several possible problem source, all of which need to be investigated independently.

An overly aggressive overclock (but you're here, you should recognize that one already).

A bad RAM chip
A bad hard disk cable/hard disk drive (especially the drive hosting the paging file).

A BenQ 1620 DVD Burner in master PATA under XP x64. (Your exact symptoms were once caused by this drive, pulled the drive, no problem. The BenQ ran fine in 32bit or other machines, and is still in use, just not in THAT x64 based computer).

Bad graphics card (this is rare, but I've had it happen on an AGP machine...big mystery for weeks, my wife's computer - she was about to toss it over the balcony).

Multiple graphics cards by different vendors (ATI can sometimes argue with nVidia, especially if there's an ATI IGP on board).


Just a few that come to mind.




However, another issue with hanging has to do with turning write cache on or off. Do you have an inventory of very large (500Mbyte and up) files on a drive formatted with default allocation blocks?

If the directory gets fragmented (and if there's enough of this going on, even if its not), small or default allocation blocks are too small to comfortably manage large file operations.

The OS can appear to hang, sometimes for minutes - 30 to 90 even - while it manages the directories. Eventually the mouse freeze, nothing responds - you're tempted to pull the power cord.

If you don't have a UPS, I suggest write cache should be off for safety.

If you turn write cache on, it can help with performance but if there's an OS crash, you can loose all drive contents.

If you do have lots of large files, format with an allocation block of 16 K to 64 K.

Put the OS in it's own partition, formatted with the default block size.

Put the paging file on a separate physical drive if possible.

Usually, programs stop responding due to corrupt associations, resource conflicts or problem with the windows itself. If it occurs for one particular program, try reinstalling it. But as for your case, all programs not responding, you have to evaluate your PC first. does it have enough memory resources? also, you need to check the registry. sometimes, conflicts and problems arise within the registry causing your system to slow down, so you'll need some sort of utility to resolve those conflicts to solve this not responding problem.

have the same problem after using advanced system optimizer 3

Sounds like bad memory. Download memtest86+ from here:
http://www.memtest.org/#downiso
And boot to it. Then let it run for about 2-3 passes. If it comes back clean with all the sticks installed, run them on the sticks individually.

But random freezing and occasional BSOD's are always synonymous with bad memory.

If you can't reproduce the issue and the BOD's in safe mode, then that might suggest a possible driver issue, since in Safe Mode basic drivers are loaded.