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

2012-01-18T19:55:09+00:00

I've been doing a fair bit of research into this matter and it appears that AVG 9 seems to be a significant trend to this problem .

Out of interest, how many of you guys that are experiencing this problem are running AVG?

I was. I have removed it and replaced with Microsoft Security Essentials . Since this I have had no problems. (Fingers crossed).

Good luck!

There's been some talk that a conflict between two anti-virus programs cause lock-ups (apparently they both want to use the same system process at the same time so they kind of "fight over" it) like this as well. Mostly they say its Microsoft Security Essentials and Norton, but I've heard AVG does it too if you have both installed.

Did you have any other anti-virus running when you had AVG?
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Anonymous

2012-01-18T15:11:30+00:00

Hmmmmmn James

I think it is going to take a lot more than that for me to stop hating MS. If I did , who else's effigy am I going to stick pins into? :-)

Given that my PC is set up to accept MS updates automatically (part of the problem in my view) can I assume that the August Hotfix that is being referred to is automatically installed on my PC?

If not, where do I find it?

I tried searching this site for "Hotfix" and got 10 pages of garbage seemingly dredged from every nook and cranny of the MS empire, despite attempting to restrict the search to W7.

As I posted some weeks ago, I managed to reduce my number of freezes by downgrading to an older, simpler video card. But I still get one or two a day. Most weird of all is that it will sometimes freeze if I have left the PC idle for an hour or two. So nothing really happening other than the routine checking for emails.

Randomfellow, I have checked my memory usage from time to time. Typically it is, as now with WLM and Chrome running, using only 2.5 out of 8GB.
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Anonymous

2012-01-18T13:32:57+00:00

no freezes yet, 72 hours! I think that is a record for my pc.

If you have not tried the August hotfix, I strongly suggest you give it a try.

I had about reached my wits ends on this. Was going to build a new machine and turn this one into an ubuntu build. Glad this seems to be working! And kudo's to whoever at Microsoft actually figured this out and go the fix out there. Obviously intermittent freezes with no logging is tough to debug.

I no longer hate you Microsoft!
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Anonymous

2012-01-17T19:01:57+00:00

Hi everyone.. I had first posted on this post with the same issues as most people about random freezing on the 16th of dec. (My post was on pg 80) I have been following the post ever since and it seems like microsoft has finally come up with some sort of solution with the HOTFIX. I'm not sure weather this has worked for all but after the update, my system seems to have stabilized.

I thought of sharing this experience since I can see how hard people are trying to get their machines to work.

I did not do much myself after posting my issue since I had given up. All I did was let windows update whatever it needed to and the problem seems to have disappeared by itself.. I have also added a graphic card (HD 6850).

I am a graphic designer and work with software that need a lot of resources.

I also love playing games.

Since the HOTFIX.. I have yet to experience a freeze even after playing games and working in the same session (without restarting my system for more than 3 days at a stretch).. Given the fact that my machine would not work for more than an hour without a freeze.. this seems like a solution to me..

I hope I have not spoken too soon!!
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