Random freezes with windows 7 - 64 bit

Anonymous
2009-10-28T19:01:43+00:00

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

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Windows update

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
Anonymous
2009-11-14T19:44:19+00:00

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

Was this answer helpful?

80+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments

966 additional answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2010-06-01T15:21:21+00:00

    Hello people!

    I've not had one freeze for 48 hours....yippeeee :o)

    Looks like it was an Anti Virus issue (famous last words!).

    On one boot up my Logitech Cordless Trackman refused to work. The cursor would not move but after another reboot everything fine :o)

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2010-06-01T13:08:54+00:00

    Hardware issue!!

    Make sure bios is set to default. Over clock or up/down voltage will also cause system unstable and overheating.

    -Bad Ram/memory stick , random freeze, bad drivers, recent added rams, motherboard ram slot damage.

    -Motherboard   no picture when starting up, but still showing power in the mother board lens.

    -Graphic Card   no picture when starting up, graphic card fans are not spinning.

    -Hard drive, hdd not detect

    -Power supply – system wont start up at all, because no power. Minimum today pc need at least 550 watt power supply depending on your computer.

    Solution

    If your computer can run RESIDENT EVIL 5 Benchmark, then do the following.

    What you need is another copy of similar computer hardware, ram, graphic card, power supply etc.

    RESIDENT EVIL 5 Benchmark Download:

     http://www.nzone.com/object/nzone\_re5\_downloads.html

    SpeedFan to monitor your overall temperature : http://www.almico.com/sfdownload.php 

    Set your Benchmark to window mode so you can see your SpeedFan temperatures.

    1.Ram, to test memory stick 1 or 2 stick at a time, run benchmark. Freeze? Try the ram from your other pc, 1 or 2 at a time. If the other pc ram didn’t freeze then it’s the ram that are defected.  People suggest memtest but it’s too much work to download and burn it to the disc also takes very long to scan.

    1. Graphic card, try it on your other computer.

    3.Power supply ; try it on your other computer.

    1. Harddrive, try that not working harddrive on your other plug, if that’s not working then try it on a

    Different computer see if it detect.                                       

    5.Motherboard, try it on the other computer, or uses the component from your other computer.

    Hope this helps: D

           Found defected hardwares? Still under warranty? If so do a replacement.  Check the menu or their              

           website for further instructions.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2010-05-31T08:03:26+00:00

    I have not had a freeze for more than 24 hours which is unusual. I have even managed to sucessfully complete a Windows 7  Backup ;o)

    I can now assume that my problem was anti virus. I had freezes with both Norton Internet Security 2010 and BitDefender 2010. I am using Microsoft Security Essentials now and my computer seems very stable. My computer wakes up from sleep without any issues too.

    So, I would be interested if anyone is using either of those Anti Virus and having freezes?

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2010-05-31T08:01:06+00:00

    Well, it was definitely not the mouse's fault in my case... As soon as I plugged in the wired one and used the wheel in free-spin mode, it locked up (ironically, I did it on this webpage).

    Which, again, has left me completely flummoxed.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments