This laptop has 3 years of use. After Windows 7 boots it starts having this freezing "waves" that last for a few seconds to a few minutes. I can use it again for a few seconds or minutes and then it happens again.
During the freezes the mouse still moves, but no clicks or keys are effective. Almost anything I try to do seem to trigger the freeze, like trying to connect wifi, trying to enter the Task Manager, trying to install Google Chrome.
In safe mode with network the problem is still present. I noticed it happening even in the BIOS utility (transitions from menus freezing for 2sec). I already restored de OS to the factory state with a full restore (formatting HDD) and it still happens. Thus, I don't think it's SW related.
I know the fan can still spin because I can hear it and there is hot air flowing through the vent. After the boot it's always making noise. After the first freeze it goes silent and no noticeable air flowing.
It never really freezes in a hard way and never turn off or restart. The HD Led never goes off, it's always on or blinking fast, like there is a lot of HD operations going on.
SMART stats:
