The next time it locks up, note the exact time it hangs and then immediately reboot. Once back in Windows, click Start -> click 'Run' (if XP) or type in search (Vista or later) -> type 'eventvwr.msc' (w/o quotes) -> pay close attention to the 'Application' and 'System' error logs and look for an error (red exclamation) that coincides with the time of the error/freeze. Copy & paste that info in a reply.
Also, have you installed any new software, hardware and/or drivers since the freezes began? These are very common causes of crashes.
To test this, click Start -> click 'Run' (if XP) or type in search (Vista or later) -> type 'msconfig' (w/o quotes). Click the startup tab and then uncheck the 'Load startup items' box. Now reboot and see if the system freeze continues. It is stops, then you have faulting software. Otherwise, perform the above in reverse order to revert the changes.
Next, let's check your hardware & drivers... click Start -> click 'Run' (if XP) or type in search (Vista or later) -> type 'devmgmt.msc'. Do you see any question marks and/or exclamation marks? If yes, then you may have a hardware or driver issue. If not, close the Device Manager.
You may also want to physically inspect your hardware and connections for things like loose cables, dust build-up, overheating, etc.
As a last resort you may want to run
Prime95 x86 for 32-bit operating systems or
Prime95 x64 for 64-bit operating systems to stress test your processor.
MemTest86 will test your RAM/memory for any issues. Together, these will help detect any signs of hardware failure.
Post back with any finds and we can go from there. It would also help if you listed which operating system you are using (Windows XP Service Pack 3 judging by your error message, please confirm).
1. Nothing Between Application and System coincided at the same. There were errors and warnings, but nothing at the same time.
Here are some examples.
Ran eventvwr.msc:
Under Application: (There were several errors and warnings...below is an error and warning)
ERROR
Source - Application Error
Category - 100
Event - 1000
Faulting application explorer.exe, version 6.0.2900.5512, faulting module unknown, version 0.0.0.0, fault address 0x04d69290.
0000: 41 70 70 6c 69 63 61 74 Applicat
0008: 69 6f 6e 20 46 61 69 6c ion Fail
0010: 75 72 65 20 20 65 78 70 ure exp
0018: 6c 6f 72 65 72 2e 65 78 lorer.ex
0020: 65 20 36 2e 30 2e 32 39 e 6.0.29
0028: 30 30 2e 35 35 31 32 20 00.5512
0030: 69 6e 20 75 6e 6b 6e 6f in unkno
0038: 77 6e 20 30 2e 30 2e 30 wn 0.0.0
0040: 2e 30 20 61 74 20 6f 66 .0 at of
0048: 66 73 65 74 20 30 34 64 fset 04d
0050: 36 39 32 39 30 69290
WARNINGS:
Source MSInstaller
Warning at Event 1004
Detection of product '{075473F5-846A-448B-BCB3-104AA1760205}', feature 'SoleFeature', component '{F9040172-2F4F-4457-A891-2F694C8AA299}' failed. The resource 'C:\WINDOWS\system32\pxwma.dll' does not exist.
Source MSInstaller
Warning at Event 1001
Detection of product '{075473F5-846A-448B-BCB3-104AA1760205}', feature 'SoleFeature' failed during request for component '{19FE5BD9-F243-4FFE-BC79-A30B3EFF39E6}'
Source MSInstaller
Warning at Event
Detection of product '{075473F5-846A-448B-BCB3-104AA1760205}', feature 'SoleFeature', component '{F9040172-2F4F-4457-A891-2F694C8AA299}' failed. The resource 'C:\WINDOWS\system32\pxwma.dll' does not exist.
ERRORS as of Sunday when a freeze occured
System:
Source: Service Control Manager
The following boot-start or system-start driver(s) failed to load:
SASKUTIL
System:
Source: DCOM
DCOM got error "The service cannot be started, either because it is disabled or because it has no enabled devices associated with it. " attempting to start the service upnphost with arguments "" in order to run the server:
{204810B9-73B2-11D4-BF42-00B0D0118B56}
2. As I mentioned, the only time it freezes is for the most part, when I open Windows Explorer, scroll down, then try to click on any AVI file. Then it freezes or prompts the Data Execution message.
I did update my DIVX...and that may have been around the time that the freezing issue occured...but I'm not for certain.
3. Running reboot
4. Hardware check through running devmgmt.msc - was fine
5. Will run last resort and see what that brings up.
6. I ran Malwarebytes, Norton, Spybot, Ccleaner, and Cleanup. No virus came up.