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
    2009-11-20T22:14:35+00:00

    Just to make this much more interesting I am back on Vista as reported earlier and.....my laptop froze twice in the last 3 days. This is nothing like the every 20 mins it was doing with W7 but I think now this thread has too many red herrings. I think time will sort this one out.

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  2. Anonymous
    2009-11-20T22:12:39+00:00

    Here are my Specs

    Asus Maximus III Formula

    Sound Blaster X-Fi

    Nvidia 7800GTX

    Intel Core i5

    OCZ 550W PS

    G-Skill Ripjaws: F3-12800CL7D-4GBRH

    Windows 7 64bit

    Sony DVD writer

    I also have a Logitech cordless mouse and a Logitech G15 keyboard with the latest win 7 drivers. Using AVG.

    Here’s my problem (many problems actually over two weeks)

    • At first computer will boot fine, then suddenly reset while surfing the web or doing some other activity. This leads to a BSOD with either a Driver message or a memory message. Once back to the desk top I get the mini dump error I posted earlier
    • That problem then turned into a boot up problem, upon start up, load would fail and BSOD. Usually error would say something about a memory or driver. Computer would enter check disc or repair function and then boot up fine. Computer would act ok from that point on, but if I turned it off an restarted the problem would happen again at start up

    Here is what I’ve done;

    • Reinstalled the O/S three times, same problem every time
    • Installed the 2 Hot fixes
    • Checked both of my WD drives for errors, both pass ok
    • Applied all windows updates.
    • Mem tested both stick of ram. Looped for hours with no errors
    • Used 4 different Nvidia display drivers, including the latest Beta. Used a driver cleaner to remove the files each time.
    • Using the latest Intel chipset driver
    • Tried using one stick of ram.
    • Using the latest Asus Bios 1002, tired three other too.
    • Used win 7 to check for Ram errors, passed.

    I’m really confused and tired. I’m going back to XP if this isn’t fixed soon..

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  3. Anonymous
    2009-11-20T20:55:18+00:00

    I have applied the USB hotfix for sleep issues 974476 and disabled the Media Player Network Service and the system just froze up on me, however this happened as soon as I started IE8 64-bit. I noticed that when running IE8 my system was more prone to freezing (requiring a forced shutdown) and switched to FireFox as a result. While this did not completely stop the freezes, they are significantly diminished. I just opened up IE8 to look at something and the system froze. I wonder if this might be happening as a result of something being invoked by IE8 and other processes? Maybe IE8 just needs it right away.

    Obviously I'm not well versed in the terminology, but I did want to report this behavior.

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  4. Anonymous
    2009-11-20T18:44:32+00:00

    UPDATE: I changed to a wired mouse and had no freezes for 2.5 days. I really thought I fixed it.  Now I have applied the USB hotfix for sleep issues 974476 and disabled the Media Player Network Service.  I will post back if I can go a few days without freezing.  My gut says this is a USB problem.  I will let everyone know how this works.

    Geoff - Owner

    Computer Lift - Portland Computer Repair

    www.computerlift.com

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