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

2012-01-15T14:29:53+00:00

Hi Barz450,

Oh, you are trying to install Service Pack 1 on Windows 7 Home Premium, Professional or Ultimate 64-Bit operating systems? I had that exact problem. What you need to do is to download the Full Package of Windows 7 Service Pack 1.

http://windows.microsoft.com/installwindows7sp1

Scroll down to: Downloading and installing SP1 from the Microsoft Download Center

Click on that from that page.

Go to the Windows 7 Service Pack 1 download webpage on the Microsoft website, and then click Continue.

You need to sign in.

After you have finished downloading Service Pack 1, you must uninstall XP Mode and its associated software and any Anti-virus installed whether active or not. Then reboot the computer.

Run a Registry Cleaner, before you attempt the installation of Service Pack 1. I use TuneUp Utilities 2011, but 2012 has been released.

Reboot the computer and now install Windows 7 Service Pack 1. Installation of Service Pack 1 will fail with XP Mode or Anti-Virus package installed.

Do this and you will see the difference. This is through experience.

Hi the creator,

Thanks for the reply, but I'm not actually having trouble installing SP1, rather I'm trying to fix my daughter's PCs random freezing, crashing, and subsequent rebooting problem.

Her PC was running fine before I installed some Windows Updates, (not sure which ones they were), after which it started freezing up randomly, subsequently crashing & then rebooting.

I was a bit dubious about installing SP1 as a lot of posts on the net are blaming it for their PCs freezing, but as my daughter's PC was freezing up prior to SP1, I thought it may help resolve her freezing problems. I have tried 3 Hotfixes so far with no change, (I have tried many suggestions as I stated in my previous posts, Page 83 - 84), but still cannot resolve the issue.

Are you saying that SP1 will actually resolve her freezing problems? Or are you simply saying how to get it to install correctly? I should add at this point, that having to go to all that trouble just to install a service pack, (especially for the average lay person), means that Windows 7 can no longer exactly be classed as "User Friendly" by Microsoft anymore can it!

I'm beginning to smell "Vista" seeping from it's pores!

I've never had so much trouble just installing an OS before, and just wish Microsoft would stop "stone walling" everyone that it's a hardware issue, and re-divert some of their Windows 8 coders & resources to investigate and fix the problem for their existing customers, instead of persuing new ones with Windows 8.

"A bird in the hand" as they say.
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Anonymous

2012-01-15T09:59:09+00:00

Well 4 hours of running after the hot-fix it froze again. As usual nothing in the viewer log except 7036 events like "The Application Experience service entered the running state." and "The Multimedia Class Scheduler service entered the running state."

I am facing the random freeze ever since I purchased this Dell Inspirlon N4050 since 6 months earlier. So far it's been two times to Dell factory and replaced all parts of hardware, 4 times clean re-install of Win 7. Changed Anit-Virus from MS Security Essentials to AVG and then back again to MS Securiy Essentials. Upgraded all drivers using driver checking software. But no luck so far.

One pattern is it usually hangs when the Wifi is on. But then there are 3 more machines connected to the same network and 2 of them running Win 7 w/o problems. The same Dell machine when dual booted with Linux Mint 12 runs for days w/o any hiccups.

So my guess will be it's a Win 7 problem with the particular hardware either in memory leaks or Display driver that stops responding to key-board and mouse touch. Not sure what is it.

I am now without hope and saving to buy a Mac Air unless someone shows me the magical way of solving this.
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Anonymous

2012-01-15T06:43:44+00:00

Up until applying this Hotfix my PC couldn't install ANY updates at all without freezing up.

After installing Hotfix, PC managed to stay "alive" (without freezing up), long enough to install 3 updates, but unfortunately half way through installing SP1......BAM! FREEZE AGAIN! No mouse, no keyboard, just frozen desktop, only this time it's not rebooting itself. Have to hit reset button instead.

No joy here I'm afraid.

Next Hotfix please Microsoft!?

Hi Barz450,

Oh, you are trying to install Service Pack 1 on Windows 7 Home Premium, Professional or Ultimate 64-Bit operating systems? I had that exact problem. What you need to do is to download the Full Package of Windows 7 Service Pack 1.

http://windows.microsoft.com/installwindows7sp1

Scroll down to: Downloading and installing SP1 from the Microsoft Download Center

Click on that from that page.

Go to the Windows 7 Service Pack 1 download webpage on the Microsoft website, and then click Continue.

You need to sign in.

After you have finished downloading Service Pack 1, you must uninstall XP Mode and its associated software and any Anti-virus installed whether active or not. Then reboot the computer.

Run a Registry Cleaner, before you attempt the installation of Service Pack 1. I use TuneUp Utilities 2011, but 2012 has been released.

Reboot the computer and now install Windows 7 Service Pack 1. Installation of Service Pack 1 will fail with XP Mode or Anti-Virus package installed.

Do this and you will see the difference. This is through experience.
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