Vista Home Premium SP1 - Any app that runs long enough, hangs!!

I have noticed this behavior when using Firefox, Chrome, uTorrent, vlc, etc.

Basically, if i run any application long enough (like an hour), it hangs. Even when i close the application, it remains in memory and cannot be killed. The only solution then is to reboot the machine. My vista version is legit (came with the laptop) and is patched with all latest updates.

I have following questions:

1. Can the Zonealarm firewall be responsible for this? In that case, please suggest an alternate firewall to install that dos not have this kinda problem.

2. I think if the residual process in memory was somehow killed, than it would cut down on the number of reboots. Any suggestions on any software that can do this?

3. ANyone know of any other means that this can be fixed? A hotfix, or registry tweak, etc?

What is your computer Specifications? What are your CPU temeprature? Check your CPU usage in the task manager and if it is 100% then follow this method: http://forums.techarena.in/tips-tweaks/1030610.htm

I was also facing same issue with Zonealarm firewall, I try to uninstall the firewall and everything was working fine for me.I would suggest you to go with McAffee , Symantec etc.

Hello , One problem may be that you would Have saved then firewall settings when upgrading. It is best to do a clean install after removing saving nothing and then reinstall the latest version version Try this Then your applications should behave correctly with the firewall.

It might be due to corrupt system files and drivers, out of date drivers, corrupt applications, viruses, trojans, worms and insufficient RAM can all cause CPU usage to go high.

If a SYSTEM process or service host process is going high then you will need to use a tool like Process Explorer to narrow the problem down because service hosts serve more than one process at a time.

Process Explorer Download Link

Shows what program, DLL or service has a file or directory open.

Vista-specific features:
ASLR column for processes and DLLs
Process and thread I/O and memory priorities in process and thread properties
PROCESS_QUERY_LIMITED_INFORMATION support on process permissions
Run as limited user runs with low IL
Reports information for all object types
Show all elevation processes
Supports replacement of task manager

Thanks guys..lot of food for thought...i'll keep you posted on my results...first thing i m thinking is replacing ZA with some other firewall.