Computer randomly freezes while running an application on an external HD

My daughter is doing some home school programs that are ran from an external HD. Sometimes it works and other times it will randomly freeze or kick her out of the program and go back to the desktop. The application changes the resolution of the screen while in use so when the application has issues, it will leave the resolution at the readjusted size. The drive never makes any disconnect sounds so I don't know if the drive is being unmounted and remounted. The program is able to be reloaded just fine if it goes back to the desktop but if it freezes, then I have to do a reset. The first time it had issues, it gave this error:

One of the USB devices attached to this computer

has malfunctioned and Windows does not recognize it.

Device Properties says: Windows has stopped this device

because it has reported problems. (Code 43)

When device is unplugged and the system is restarted, the device says "There might be a problem with some files on this device or disc. This can happen if you remove the device or disc before all files have been written to it" when it is plugged back in. It give the options to "Scan and fix (recommended)" or to "continue without scanning."

I selected Scan and fix and since it has not given any error, it just freezes or kicks out of the application.

Does this sound like an issue with the USB drives on my computer, registry (program installs some stuff to the computer), or an issue with the external HD? I know that the HDs returned and are reused after the school year is over it may be possible it is old and getting wore out. Just want to fix my computer if that is the issue before talking to the company. Thanks for your help.

via Bleeping Computer Last 20 Posts http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/t/510783/computer-randomly-freezes-while-running-an-application-on-an-external-hd/