Force Quit- General Question

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Not a few times I have had a "freeze" in windows that I could not end with task manager. The result was that I had to turn off the computer at the power switch. With a new HD just installed I have had to do this once already when trying to boot from a Linux Ubuntu disc. In the past there have been several occasions which I learned later was a hardware fault causing me to have to force quit.

My main reason for asking about this is that there must be a way to get around a freeze when the task manager does not shut off a running and frozen program. I would think that, perhaps, that there might be a precursor in maintainance of the computer that would stop these types of problems. (Scandisc or others) Or, it is just something that happens with Windows OS.

And, the last part is this: when it does occur that a force quit is required, what is the next procedure that should be initiated to put the possible errors caused out of the picture for the future. I am speaking in general terms that the average person (me) can do themselves with a decent knowledge of their machines. Thanks.

[macko72]

I would say that "freezing" is happening because OS is aware of failure but has no way to work around it, I mean it dosen't know what to do and just stops working.
I think this is simple and easy to understand for everyone, and not some experts mumbo jumbo witch says same thing but in a different way!!!

[flanzig1]

Freezes can cover a wide range of problems, here's a few things to try to ID the problem.
1: check the PSU voltages and temps in BIOS to see if anything is out of range
2: Clean dust out of heatsinks.
3: Do antivirus/adware/spyware scans.
4: Update Windows on a regular basis.
5: Check for driver updates on your hardware(may be a fix for problems)
6: Reduce the number of programs that start at boot-up.
7: Delete temp Internet files and cookies.

These things are in no particular order.