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

2010-04-22T21:21:58+00:00

I have found that on an ASUS mother board the first thing you must do is install new graphics drivers. Any previous driver is going to cause the system to freeze. The graphic driver is hard to catch because the notification on screen is soo very breif that unless you are looking for it when it happens you miss it and the system locks up. If you can, download new graphics drivers to an external device using another pc soas to not get it interruppted in the middle. Then as soon as you boot up update driver from the external device. That should resolve your issue!
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Anonymous

2010-04-22T11:02:15+00:00

I listened. I tried memory timings. Didn't work. Underclocked the whole memory system. Freeze. Set the timings to the MB suggested values. Freeze. Upped the timings to the max allowable number of ticks on every setting. Freeze.

So please. I am really really happy this was the solution for you. I didn't work for me.

I am currently trying to see if disabling my second monitor works.
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Anonymous

2010-04-22T03:52:21+00:00

Took me a long time to get to the bottom of this, so thought I'd pass it along.

My computer was crashing about every hour, freezing when I left it idle for a while. Windows 7 uses a BIOS that the manufacturer installs, and this becomes obsolete over time. Windows doesn't include a BIOS with regular updates, so you have to go to the manufacturer's website.

If your PC is giving you problems, go to Start and type MSinfo32, click on that, and check the BIOS type. then go to the manufacturer site and see if they have an updated version. It's worth doing anyway, because an outdated BIOS affects pretty much everything your machine does.

I'm no expert on Windows, but the problem made me crazy enough to actually call the guys at Toshiba support.;-)
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Anonymous

2010-04-20T11:45:29+00:00

Also having the same random freezing problems with Windows 7 Pro 64. This wasn't an issue until about 3 weeks ago. Not sure what it is! VERY annoying, and happening often!

Microsoft, please fix!

Also on ATI 4550 graphics card. Will try something else for drivers, too, but I need some of the properties for HDMI use.
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