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

2009-11-13T12:43:56+00:00

Are people finding that their motherboard manufacturers are in fact supplying chipset drivers for Windows 7?

I can't get any for my motherboard - Vista 32/64bit are the last available. I am wondering if this is the problem, but I have no way of knowing for sure.

Another question: for all you people with freezing problems, have you got specific chipset drivers installed for Windows 7?
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Anonymous

2009-11-13T12:38:11+00:00

>Tim Chapman

     >What do you mean by 'Power saving completely turned off'?

     >I'm have power set to High Performance with the machine never turning off the display or Hard disk but still get freezing.

      >Will probably install 32 bit later today to see if it goes away

Under "Performance", you go in and change individual Advanced settings, the hard drive has a default time of 20 minutes, you have to change the time for a longer period, it can't be "disabled", then under each of the other advanced settings, turn off any other power saving features. So far with everything turned off under Advanced setting in "Performance", I have not had a freeze in 48 hours with the machine on constantly.

I did find out that it might be related to how the chipset and hard drives are handling the power transitions being requested. Tried a new driver for the chipset that was put out last week, installed it last night, and turned back on powersaving "Performance" defaults. So far so good.
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Anonymous

2009-11-13T11:16:32+00:00

YouTube are processing it at the moment. Not sure how long it will take, but here's a link to view one of my freezes in action!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CQLQqDl48U
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Anonymous

2009-11-13T09:46:00+00:00

I recorded a an instance of on of my freezes this monring and am currently trying to upload it to youtube. Not great quality, but hopefully someone may see something familiar. I'd like to know if I am getting the same type of freeze as everyone else. Will post when its up there.
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