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
    2009-11-15T14:12:20+00:00

    Okay, double post.....

    It's probably not RAM.

    Right after I posted that previous message, I opened Live MEssenger and told it to sign in. I clicked on something in Gamefaqs and noticed the screen had frozen. Seconds later the pointer stopped.

    It's not fixed yet. And I'm seriously debating reinstalling Windows again.

    I've already done it once because of a stupid network problem. My wireless adapters were perminantly disabled and I couldn't enable them.

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  2. Anonymous
    2009-11-15T14:07:06+00:00

    Thanks very much for the help. There were SO MANY options to change I had no idea where I was supposed to enter 8-8-8-24 =S

    I think I have to leave the voltage on Auto. I can only increase in impliments of 0.02, which isn't much help when it's meant to be set as 1.65, I could get 1.64 (which caused the computer to freeze at the "Starting Windows" screen (at least I'm assuming that caused it, since setting it back to Auto allowed it to boot)) or I could get 1.66, which came up with a warning it may cause my house to explode like Hiroshima (or fry my CPU...it was one of those two warnings).

    I'll see how this goes. However, I'm relatively confident the freezes have something to do with networking.

    I booted with the adapter unplugged. No networking at all. It sat on the desktop just fine for half an hour while I did other stuff.

    I plugged the adapter in, it connected just fine, then by the tme I entered my third web address, it froze as I pressed Enter.

    Rebooted, and I sent a message on Messenger to say "Sorry, my computer keeps freezing" and when I sent it, the computer froze again.

    Then I turned it off and kept it off.

    It's been okay for the maybe half hour I've run it this morning, so I'm fingers crossed that it really is just a RAM settings issue. I would weap tears of joy to lay next to the tears of despair I nearly cried last night ._.

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  3. Anonymous
    2009-11-15T13:05:36+00:00

    Although I use Forefront Client Security I can confirm that the freezing occured BEFORE I installed it so that pretty much eliminates AV as the cause.

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  4. Anonymous
    2009-11-15T12:03:23+00:00

    Smoothf1  - I'm 1000% certain (for most) that it's not a hardware issue. In my case the same PC works with XP and Linux without issues. I've got the PC to pass all sorts of memory tests as well.

    So far I'm thinking a hotfix supplied with 976972 may be the solution, when MS finally get down to writing the article (one day).

    NB Future posters - Please state your sound card, network card and antivirus software. Thankyou.

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