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

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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

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  1. Anonymous
    2009-11-14T13:23:50+00:00

    [DELETED SOME IRRELEVANT BS I WROTE]

    Also is anyone here using ZoneAlarm?

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  2. Anonymous
    2009-11-14T06:04:07+00:00

    After numerous attempts to reinstall VISTA HOME PREMIUM X64, it finally took, last night.

    I did NOTHING after istall!

    * no internet connection

    * no update of drivers of ANY kind

    * no tampering of any sytem processes, etc...

    * No processes other than MS VISTA OS are installed

    * did not even change resolution to screen

    * Drivers installed at this time are whatever MS puts on OS

    I allowed the PC to run unmolested for about an hour.

    No problems.

    Turned off PC normally without problems

    Booted up an hour ago without problems

    Went to reliability and performance and saw HUNDREDS of svchost.exe running in background

    attempted to click on the reliabilty portion of that option list and all the activity on the graphs

    stopped. The window indicated it was not responding.

    Cntrl/alt/delete did not respond

    I allowed it to run for about 30 min with the little circle moving and the cursor was able to move.

    PC was shut down by 5 sec hold down of power button.

    I DON'T THINK THERE IS ANYMORE INFO I COULD PROVIDE CONSIDERING IT IS A VIRGIN INSTALL!!

    So who wants to suggest that I update my drivers?!

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  3. Anonymous
    2009-11-14T02:00:59+00:00

    MSDNAlexS,

    I have reported my issue over on the TechNet Win7 forum (thread is titled Random Lockups, Intel Chipset). Posted it nearly two days ago, and as of now have had no response on it at all. If you look in the Hardware Compatibility subsection there, you'll see that a hotfix was posted for a very similar problem cropping up on Nvidia chipset machines. Could it be that the Nvidia fix might also need to be applied to other chipsets? Sorry for venting in my earlier post, but I've seen hundreds of lockup/freeze reports and only one fix so far. After 3 solid months of this I really don't need lectures, I need help.

    Please supply link to your post.

    NB On my previous link you will see NVidia mentioned in one of the hotfixes I mentioned. Maybe that's what you are talking about.

    NB it appears a lot of us are experiencing total freezes, I for one am NOT using the NVidia chipset either.

    As far as MS not getting back to us, it might take them weeks, not days to work this issue one out. Unfortunately freezing of machines is VERY difficult to diagnose.

    It's also not safe to assume that we all have exactly the same problem (although it appears that most of us have the same symptoms)... so we simply need to supply as much info as possible so they can find out what we have in common.

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  4. Anonymous
    2009-11-14T01:51:09+00:00

    MSDNAlexS,

    I have reported my issue over on the TechNet Win7 forum (thread is titled Random Lockups, Intel Chipset). Posted it nearly two days ago, and as of now have had no response on it at all. If you look in the Hardware Compatibility subsection there, you'll see that a hotfix was posted for a very similar problem cropping up on Nvidia chipset machines. Could it be that the Nvidia fix might also need to be applied to other chipsets? Sorry for venting in my earlier post, but I've seen hundreds of lockup/freeze reports and only one fix so far. After 3 solid months of this I really don't need lectures, I need help.

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