ok on mine it usually never freezes but try not playing the game 4 at least a day or it might be worn out. and do u play second life?

Don't take the helmet, keep the sword it usually freezes when I take the helmet but not the sword.

keep umbra its the 2nd most powerful sword in the game (1st being goldbrand) y wud u trade the 2nd best sword for a 20 personality boost(and its a fortify!)

first activate the shrine of clavicius vile before you get umbra sword then after u talk
to the shrine it will tell you to get the sword umbra