I'm running Windows XP Pro, service pack 2. periodically (several times a day) all active tasks and windows freezes, then 30 to 60 seconds later it unlocks and continues. It seems to be related to the build IT put together since co-workers running standard installs don't have this problem. But we all have this problem with the standard IT build. Since everything freezes, I'm guessing it is an OS level problem and not any particular application. It also tends to do this on different laptop models (so its not likely to be the hardware).

from previous experience, it sounds like windows is stalled waiting for some blocking event to complete and it only continues when the time-out happens and it keeps going.

I recognize this this is a needle in a haystack sort of problem. What performance variables would you recommend I log to see what area might be causing the OS to freeze and what should I be looking for to know it's the source of the problem? Naturally, the fault would have to be based on a setting (possibly a security setting) that can be tweaked by IT during the installation process or when it joins the domain.

A.) Any reason why you are still running SP2 when SP3 has been out for several months?

B.) What is your system log reporting during the times that the computer freezes?