<p>OK -- this is a question for the computer and IT geeks:</p>
<p>I have a Toshiba laptop with MS Vista Service Pack 2. When I start the computer from sleep mode, the entire desktop freezes after several minutes of use. Ctrl + Alt + Del doesn't work, so I must reboot the laptop. It does this every time I start the computer from sleep mode. How can I stop the freezing?</p>
<p>Should I cut my losses and upgrade to Windows 7?</p>
<p>Some quick guesses of mine would be a virus, corrupted Windows file, or damaged hard drive.</p>
<p>I’d use an anti-virus scan to check for the first, insert the Windows CD and run repair for the second, and download HDTune and run the Error Scan to check for the third.</p>
<p>[HD</a> Tune website](<a href=“http://www.hdtune.com/download.html]HD”>HD Tune website)
You’re going to want to download the trial version.</p>
<p>Sorry to have to tell you this but I’m afraid your hard drive is fried, this exact thing happened to me with my Vista SP2 Toshiba, I hope your under warranty.</p>
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<p>Not necessarily. A corrupted critical Windows file can still do the same thing.</p>
<p>Recently, I had to reformat my hard drive. I’m wondering if this is the cause?</p>
<p>I am not under warranty. My laptop works as long as I don’t put it in Sleep mode. It’s very weird.</p>
<p>How old is your hard drive? Or laptop? Usually hard drives live up to 3 years before they start acting up.</p>
<p>I think you have to diagnose it the best way you can. Does it feel downright slow (HD problem) or does it lag and freeze occassionally (vista problem)? This is the best I can do on my end. =p</p>
<p>Since you said it works except sleep mode then it’s probably a Vista problem. But still diagnose it yourself.</p>
<p>Wait, so you recently reformatted your harddrive? So this Vista is a fresh install then?</p>
<p>Yes, the Vista is a fresh install (2 months old).</p>
<p>OK I downloaded the HD Tune Pro Trial version. I had to reformat my hard drive and reinstall Vista 2 months ago. From the results, I got a health status of a warning: it says three sections on my hard drive have damaged sectors.</p>
<ol>
<li>Do I need a new hard drive? 2. Will upgrading to Windows 7 fix the problem?</li>
</ol>
<p>Even if it is a hard drive problem, u don’t need a new hard drive. You can just find the sections that are damaged on your hard drive, and partition them so that they won’t be used. In fact, hide the partitions so that you won’t accidentally use them. This should fix the problem.</p>
<p>However, hard drives today are really cheap; it might not worth all the effort partitioning the drive when u can get a new one for $40. Partitions like this(bad sectors can also slow down your computer)</p>
<p>Anyway, it might not even be a hard drive issue. These issues are rare, unless it’s an old computer. Check to see if it’s a windows problem by booting on a linux system from a flash drive/CD and checking the hard drive. I suggest ubuntu or knopix</p>
<p>Just buy a new hard drive. You can get 500 GB hard drives for like $50. I don’t think it’s worth risking your homework, music, movies, other stuff.</p>
<p>First recover Windows Vista and your data on a disc/usb. (google it for instructions)</p>
<p>There could be some random, quirky, Vista problem but based on what you said it’s probably a dying HD.</p>