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

2010-05-27T17:20:52+00:00

I have just finished my fourth conversation with Microsoft support. They told me that this issue is not a hardware problem and the only way for me to fix the problem is to reinstall Windows 7 64 bit and then see if that runs on its own without a freeze. If it runs without a freeze I should then add my software one at a time and wait to see which one is causing the problem. This will take me weeks to complete since I do use quite a lot. I was told that 32 bit software should work on 64 bit Windows but it is not garanteed and it is definately a problem with one of my 32 bit programs. I was also told that Google Toolbar is known to cause an issue (I don't use it!) and Google Earth which I have uninstalled. Norton Anti Virus and iTunes are also known to cause freezes! Once again, they said RAM settings or changing them will not help!

So, there you go folks. Windows 7 64 bit doesn't like some 32 bit programs. I haven't decided what I am going to do next but I will probably go back to Win 7 32 bit and just feel sorry for you guys!
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Anonymous

2010-05-27T07:12:58+00:00

OK I'd been having the random freeze problem with a 64-bit version of Win7 for a few months when it finally started to really bore on me and I decided to revert back to Vista (yes, I was that desperate). However, the guy that fixes my computer for some reason neglected my plea and installed Win7 again, only this time it was the 32-bit version. He said it should run better as opposed to the 64-bit job. Less bugs. Etc. Etc. So, I got my machine back with a clean 32-bit Win7 install, hoping for the best this time. About 5 minutes into me installing all the peripherals that I need, the whole works locked up, which raised quite a bit of an eyebrow. However, by then I had only managed to install two applications: the software for the Logitech G35 headset (that couldn't have caused the problem, the freezes had originally started long before I got that) and, surprise! the drivers and utilities for my Logitech Performance MX mousie. Which, incidently, runs without the benefit of any wires, just like every other mouse I've been using with this setup. Gonna pop to the store and buy some proper mouse with a big fat wire now to see if that'll fix the problem. If it does... a huge thumbs-up to Microsoft! 100 euro down the drain to say the least.
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Anonymous

2010-05-26T21:27:15+00:00

Just had another freeze so it isn't a Firefox issue. Will call Microsoft in the morning.
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Anonymous

2010-05-26T21:18:19+00:00

So far so good :o) I have not had a single freeze for more than 12 hours. I have had to use Internet Explorer instead of Firefox and dare I say it - it's not so bad. Could it really be as simple as this?
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