Windows 10: Random Lockup with Wait Cursor and Can't Access Task Manager

I have an ASUS tower running 64 bit Windows 10 with latest updates. Periodically and randomly it locks up with the wait cursor circulating. It usually happens when opening an app (Belarc, Exel, Media Shout, etc.). The cursor remains active but I can not open Task Manager nor any other programs. If you attempt to open other apps nothing happens until about 5 minutes when the wait cursor disappears and then all apps that I attempted to open open up and I can access task manager.
Looked at event viewer and I see nothing happening at the time it locked up. I do see several errors around the time of the event including Service Control Mgr, DistributedCOM, and Event ID (5973). Any suggestions I may try to eliminate this would be appreciated.

:)

 

My Belle experience

I have now experienced 3 screen lockups. One time I just waited for 10 minutes or so and it came back alive. During lockup the home button worked for switching the screens and task manager, but no touch input. Keylock slider made vibrating buzz but did not
activate the lock or did not display the lock symbol on screen.

 

Screen flicker and hangup on desktop screen

I upgrade to Windows 10 today and made it through all the steps but my desktop does not load.I see my wallpaper but the screen flickers and there is constant disk and cpu activity. I can get into task manager but can't do anything else.

I have a hp desktop. Any idea what is causing the lockup? It looks as if task manager is in aloop.

 

While not a solution I would start with the diagnostics and general maintenance. I would create a restore point and I would ensure I had bootable media on hand, better safe than sorry.

Since you feel this happened with last update please check update history and ensure nothing failed. As well see if any driver updates were delivered in last couple of weeks.

From command prompt(admin)

sfc /scannow

then

chkdsk /r

Again not a fix but when is the last time you did a disk cleanup and defrag. File Explore, right click on C: drive, properties. Disk Cleanup on general tab, defrag on Tools tab.

 

Thanks, Ken. Good advice. I'll follow your recommendations and see where it leads me.

 

Thanks for your input. System very flaky. I have decided to install a SSD and do a clean reinstall. Thanks.

 

Good decision. Sometimes you can spend hours chasing ghosts. You can use your old HDD for system images providing you a fallback in the future.

Lots of folks here use Macrium Reflect.

Once you are up and running I would suggest you check out Driver Verify tutorial.