Random freezes with windows 7 - 64 bit

Anonymous

I use to run Vista home premium x86 on a acer computer. This summer I downloaded Windows 7 rc x86. A month ago I bought all new parts and since I could use 64-bit system now I installed a 64-bit Windows 7. Then did the problem start. Every new and then the computer freezes, some days over 30 times. I thought it was hardware problem and tried a lot of hardware finders and nothing helped. I also installed windows 7 rc my mothers laptop (The same version I use to have that work fine) that used to run on Vista home basic.. But her computer didn’t freeze it just got a black screen now and then.

The I started to suspect that it was because it was a beta version so when windows 7 were released I bought two of them a 32-bit and a 64-bit. But the problem didn´t go away. It´s still there and It´s kind of frustrating and even more now when I’m trying to write a essay.

I used windows upgrade advisor and it didn´t see any problem with an upgrade to windows 7. What can I do?

original title: Random freezes with windows 7

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Anonymous

Guys,

I might have the answer to your problems. This might fix your sleep/suspend problems and your random freezing problems. Bottom line is that the default and "auto" values in Win 7 and your BIOS might not produce a stable computer...even with a virgin install.

RANDOM FREEZES FIX:

My computer used to freeze randomly until I fixed the memory timings. I suspected bad memory early on and tested it with MEMTEST, but it passed with flying colors. I even tried swaping memory out, trying to eliminate bad memory and/or slots. It turned out that it was a memory frequency/timings/voltage issue. No more freezes! If you have a similar setup, this will most likely fix it. If not, then check your memory and/or power supply.

The "AUTO" settings in BIOS *may not* produce a stable setting. You have to goto the ASUS support website and download the latest memory QVL and lookup the memory settings for your particular brand there. For my memory (OCZX1333LV6GK(XMP)) I had to make the following adjustments in the BIOS:

DRAM Freq:1066 (even though my memory is rated at 1333 frequency, the QVL guide recommended a lower freq!)

7-7-7-16 for the rest of the timings. The other settings I was able to leave in "AUTO"

DRAM BUS Voltage: 1.6

*warning: be sure to consult your memory/motherboard documentation...the wrong value could damage your components!

SUSPEND/SLEEP FIX:

My computer used to hang when coming out of sleep or wouldn't completely goto sleep. This solution may be partially dependent on you fixing a random freezing issue if you have one.

In your "advanced" power settings, disable "Hybrid Sleep". That's it! My motherboard doesn't like hybrid sleep.

*If you have a desktop with a UPS, Win 7 will treat it like a laptop and apply the battery settings....sooo make sure you adjust the "on battery" settings!

My setup:

Processor:Intel core i7 920

Motherboard:Asus P6T

Memory: OCZX1333LV6GK(XMP) (ie. 6GB in 3 sticks)

Harddrive: 3 x WD Caviar Black drives in RAID 5

PSU: X3 1000W

Video card: 2 x NVIDIA 9800 GTX+ SLI

*I have all of the ASUS overclocking/energy savings programs uninstalled

*I have the latest BIOS 0801 and all the latest drivers installed

Nick

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966 additional answers

Anonymous

2009-11-05T01:17:57+00:00

Soundcard and network card are both onboard, updated off of the driver disc that came with mobo. Have since tried rolling back, no change, still freezes after a short amount of time.

Both are working without any trouble that I know of. Disabled them, still freezes horribly. Seeing as how I have this comp as a back-up, I'm just going to sit it out as I've seen that I'm not the only person with this problem. I figure if I try the same things several people have also tried, and the problem persists, then it may be something that is beyond our control.

I'm going to try updating my onboards to current spec, assuming they're not already. Other than that, I think I'll stick with my 360 for entertainment and gaming until a solution presents itself.

Will get back to you after I've tried this.
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Anonymous

2009-11-05T01:13:31+00:00

Hmmm I just noticed Zone Alarm (with anti-virus/spyware) was running at the same time as Windows Defender - I've disabled Windows Defender. Suprised ZA didn't do this automatically upon installation.
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Anonymous

2009-11-05T01:01:35+00:00

Opened Windows Media Player to get some music going while I did all this, OS started staggering, music was staggering, playing for several seconds and then stopping, repeating this process.

Sound card? Network card?
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Anonymous

2009-11-05T00:41:55+00:00

I'm having the same problem as JakeyDood.

System specs:

CPU - Intel i5 Core 750

Mobo -

GPU - GeForce 9600 GT

4 GB DDR3 Ram

1 x Samsung 500 gb hdd

1 x Western Digital 80gb hdd

Windows 7 x64 Pro, installed on 80gb drive, one partition, C drive.

Ran fine when I installed it with my new hardware (mobo, cpu, gpu) after an upgrade on Monday. Last night (Wednesday) I got hold of the Left 4 Dead 2 Demo on Steam, downloaded no problems, played it for a good hour or two. Turned on my pc this morning, have a list of things to do - install antivirus, install games, updates, patches etc. Opened Windows Media Player to get some music going while I did all this, OS started staggering, music was staggering, playing for several seconds and then stopping, repeating this process.

After a minute, it locked up completely. It took several minutes to respond at all, but keyboard and mouse input was unaffected (cursor on-screen moved, capslock, numlock lights were responsive). After a few more minutes I got blackscreened. Again, mouse and keyboard were fine. After half an hour my desktop background came up, keyboard and mouse still going. After another hour of waiting, nothing else happened. I rebooted, checked logs - no problems.

I installed AVG, Spybot S&D and Malware Bytes, tried running scans one after another - OS froze as described previously after only a few minutes of logging in.

I have left the login idle after restarting previously, it too froze after a few minutes.

Tests I have performed since:

Ran safe mode - runs fine, no freezes so far.

Anti-virus, anti-malware, anti-spyware scans - reporting no problems

Updated drivers (mobo, gpu)

Updated windows 7

Removed previously installed software (Call of Duty 4, Steam platform)

Attempted reinstalling, OS freezes

Checked running temperatures - everything is running within normal temperatures (no more than 30 degrees celcius)

Used system restore to a restore point created Tuesday 3rd November 09 - still getting freeze issues.

I have tried rolling back drivers and even a format and reinstall - still getting this freeze problem.

Occasionally I hear one of my drives making a 'click' noise, but it has done this a lot recently, not entirely sure why it does that. Old drive I guess.

Update: While I've eben typing this out, my comp has frozen up in safe mode at login screen. Not very happy about this at all.

OS runs very well, loving it up til now. hope there's a fix for this later.
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