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

2010-05-10T12:56:02+00:00

My freezes only seem to happen when I have Firefox 3.6.3 running. I have the following addons:

Flagfox

Colorful Tabs

TabMixPlus

Could Firefox or an addon be the issue?

This is a nightmare :o(
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Anonymous

2010-05-08T21:32:25+00:00

My fix didn't work! I just had a freeze whilst using Firefox. I seem to remember my freezes started after I installed Bit Defender. I will uninstall and report back. Good luck everyone :o)

I have BitDefender, and knock on wood, freezes may have stopped. Lots of people are freezing with other AVs.

I am pretty sure there is no single trigger for the problem. Check that virtual memory is not automatic, manually set min at the recommended, max a good bit higher, and be sure audio/video drivers are up to date.
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Anonymous

2010-05-08T10:19:16+00:00

My fix didn't work! I just had a freeze whilst using Firefox. I seem to remember my freezes started after I installed Bit Defender. I will uninstall and report back. Good luck everyone :o)
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Anonymous

2010-05-07T21:33:23+00:00

Half way through writing this message my computer froze again. This is driving me nuts and I just don't know what to do. My BIOS and all drivers are up to date and my computer just randomly freezes. Two weeks ago I was running the 32bit version and never had any problems so should I just reinstall that and forget 64bit? When my computer freezes, all I can do is hit the reset button which is certainly not a good idea. My computer is unusable in this state!

My rig is:

Operating System: Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit (6.1.7600)

CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q8400 @ 2.66GHz

Motherboard: Asus P5Q Pro Turbo

Video Card: ATI Radeon HD 5770

Sound Card: Asus Xonar Essence ST

RAM: 4Gb DDR2

P.S. I'm rather surprised that after all these complaints we haven't had a fix yet!!!

I think we need to decide that there is no single fix.     There has to be an instability in W7 64 all versions, which can be triggered by some combination of events/background/ drivers.      It is a bit soon to say I am fixed, but no crash since; 1.   Manual override virtual memory, 2 new Realtek audio driver.

I have Intel MB and Proc 2GB DDR2, 800mhz, and Bios has always been set 800.       I have had no crash on new laptop (ACER Aspire) that I got in a panic to finish taxes.

Can it be that brand name machines do not share the problem?   My desktop was not "built", but it is a low end store brand that is generic.
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