Total system freeze/lock-up consistantly after 5 min idle

I just went through it and since I do not have a USB memory stick to use (I have one as backup for my files and it cost over USD$60- here; I cannot afford to buy another, sorry)

Will run extensive inbuilt intensive HP memory test again right now. While I understand there may be some software involved that a super RAM would require, but since it is the same RAM that worked perfectly with the WinX Pro originally installed when I bought this machine ..... and the freezing started as soon as v1703 was installed the next month, I have doubts as to whether this is a hardware and not a software issue.

I went to the HP site, downloaded and installed special updated UEFI BIOS Diagnostics. I started the extensive HP memory test (the processor passed right away), set it to loop until fail, saw that it should take 4.5 hrs. and quit it. As I need to use the machine now, I will run the test overnight, first starting in around 6 - 7 hrs. when I go to sleep.

Decided to run the HP Extensive Memory Test right away and woke up now to see results:

Passed

Tested 15.7GB (of 15.9GB Physical Memory)

8 Iterations (it was working on 9 when I stopped it, in approx. 7.5 hrs. I calculate, backtracking to 8)

looked at Reliability Monitor, and right away almost 20 InstallAgentUserBroker problems reported, from

Problem Event Name: StoreAgentSearchUpdatePackagesFailure1
ClientAppId: Acquisition;RuntimeBroker


to

Problem Event Name: StoreAgentSearchUpdatePackagesFailure1
ClientAppId: Update;taskhostw

have removed Store and Spotlight (checked & re-checked: gone), so what is it trying to install? (and failing?)

b.t.w., my Windows Updates are coming in fine, either through Windows Update or Defender, both of which come as suggestions which I choose how to update and all get installed fine .... but I don't get updates for "other Windows or MS products". Is that what gets fouled up ....?

OK, memory Passed (directly above), now what?

Another thought: since the freezes/hangs seem to start a second after no user (no cursor movement, for ex.) or outside input (download, streaming, etc.) within an almost precisely 5 minute window .... there MUST be some element in the system which is able to note/measure the START of such inactivity!!!!

That would be one or more elements (could be a complex chain) that monitors processor or power use, etc. Or it could be that after noting the start of user/outside inactivity (for ex., to be used to note when to start screen off, sleep, lockscreen, power off shutdown, etc.) gets involved with another element (software code) which interferes with say a 10 min setting and shortens it to 5 min and the two "fight" with each other, causing an "I give up!" FREEZE

ALL new driver updates from HP (incl. Intel), passed HP processor and Extensive Memory Test (8 iterations), etc.

Started only after v1703 installed* (not with originally installed version). Freeze, total lockup/hang seems to start a second after PRECISELY five minutes no user (no cursor movement, for ex.) or outside input (download, streaming, etc.) within an almost precisely 5 minute window .... there MUST be some element in the system which is able to note/measure the START of such inactivity!

That would be one or more elements (could be a complex chain) that monitors processor or power use, etc. Or it could be that after noting the start of user/outside inactivity (for ex., to be used to note when to start screen off, sleep, lockscreen, power off shuitdown, etc.) gets involved with another element (software code) which interferes with say a 10 min setting and shortens it to 5 min and the two "fight" with each other, causing an "I give up!" FREEZE

Any brilliantly clever expert ideas ....?



*Since InstallAgentUserBroker has been often involved DOZENS of times in most freezes ("StoreAgentSearchUpdatePackagesFailure1"), I have since REMOVED or disabled Windows Store and totally non-functioning Spotlight (broken Spotlight could still be involved even now!)

Third-party software (security?) that has authority to trigger after five minute idle? If the authority conflicts with OS, the freeze can occur.

My AV triggers with a 10-minute idle. But any software, not just a Windows OS module, that likes to scan would have some sort of timer-trigger.

A 5-minute idle-trigger is certainly unique, as it is a very short parameter. I would probability-wise rule out the Windows OS. Its voracious desire to scan is tempered by useability; and it should have the ability to navigate the OS security and avoid conflicts.

The Samsung SSD firmware was updated some weeks ago.

As I posted, with Mobile Partner connected, Verifier failed in seconds. Then I ran Verifier with Mobile Partner disconnected and no problems. After maybe a half-hour w/o Mobile Partner still no problems, but since my MAIN use of this computer requires the Internet, I cannot run Verifier too long.

Further -- and for me most significantly -- the computer ran perfectly UNTIL v1703 was installed. AND I note that many people have these freezing issues with v1703. Is there any way to get rid of v1703? Does v1709 ALSO have freeze problems?

What about this, from one year ago? >
"And if for some reason you’re still experiencing freezing problems after all this, Microsoft recommends creating a second administrator account on your PC, and signing in to that account. Once you do so, your regular account should work fine again. Why? Because Windows 10, that’s why."

Another suggestion related to 1709 freezing >
"You need to disable Windows Defender in the registry:
1. Tap on the Windows-key to open the Start Menu.

2. Type regedit.exe and hit enter.

3. Confirm the UAC prompt to continue.

4. Navigate to the following key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender

5. If you see the preference DisableAntiSpyware on the right double-click on it and set it to 1 to disable Windows Defender.

6. If the preference does not exist, right-click on Windows Defender and select New > Dword (32-bit) Value, and name it DisableAntiSpyware. Once "DisableAntiSpyware" is created, double click and make sure the value is set to 1.

7. Restart the PC and let me know how you guys get on"


However, a few months ago I did totally disable Defender .... and the freeze issue continued, so it is back doing Periodic Scanning (I update it once or twice daily, and if I do not I get a message in Action Center to do so, which I then do: i.e.., Defender never updates itself, at least not visible, but maybe it tries?). But maybe after updating the drivers it would be smart to again disable Defender? (KIS works fine, supposedly much better than Defender .... and have read from different sources NOT to use TWO such programs)