Hp pavilion a1767c

My FIL has an Hp pavilion a1767c that was bought in 2007 and is running Windows Vista.

It has been working just fine but has started "hanging up". At first he told me that his mouse was hanging up - it is a cordless - and I made sure he had replaced the batteries.

When I went by to check the machine, I found that it not only freezes the mouse but the keyboard also hangs - no response - not even the 3-finger salute.

In order to "reset" the computer it must be unplugged - just turning it off and back on will not help - it MUST be disconnected from the power to reset to a working condition.

When it is working it is just fine. He said it would hang once or so a day, but now it seems to be hanging often.

Ideas?

Thanks

 

You first need to go through the Malware steps, then go from there.

 

Malware check (all the steps) was the first thing I did ... System is clean ... that is why I posted in the Hardware forum not the Malware forum.

 

It sounds like the USB wire to the USB pins on the motherboard may be loose or not on there firmly enough (If mouse + KB are plugged into front usb headers).

You can't reset the pc via the reset switch? Make sure THAT wire hasn't completely fallen off the pins on the motherboard.

 

The computer will re-boot from the reset switch or the power switch but the functionality of the mouse will not return unless the power is removed from the power supply and then restored.

 

Im no expert but it sounds like it resets when the memory is wiped clean I.E. no power to pc. I would suggest running memtest 86 to test the memory. Let it run for 12 - 24 hrs. Although it usually lets you know if there is a problem within the first hour or so.
Memtest86 can be found here: http://majorgeeks.com/Memtest86_d1247.html