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

2012-01-09T14:24:01+00:00

it's been almost 24 hours with no freezes... the disabling of half the cores is starting to feel promising. I will definitely provide updates either way it goes. Next step if this remains stable is enabling one of them at a time to isolate the key core. Hope this pans out!

FYI it's a Q9550 on an EVGA 132-CK-NF78 motherboard with 4x2GB of DDR2 in dual channel mode.
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Anonymous

2012-01-08T14:46:12+00:00

I swapped out dual 9800GT's in SLI for a Radeon 6850. No help.

Now I've disabled half my cores on the CPU.

This is freakin ridiculous.

I've also

uninstalled MS Security Essentials (switched back to Norton)

I've swapped around and pulled ram

I've changed timings and voltages every direction on RAM and CPU

I've held a ceremony involving a dead rooster, a hair off of Bill Gates head, and some pulverized human skull over the motherboard. All that got me was an arrest warrant for illegally possessing a human skull. Sheesh.

In all seriousness, this has got to be a logic issue somewhere in windows. If a hardware problem of any kind I expect blue screens, not a frozen PC.
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Anonymous

2012-01-05T23:00:33+00:00

I've often thought my issue might be related to the nVidia graphics card based on the fact that games will freeze almost immediately in high-res mode but will run for a while in low-res mode. However, I don't have a spare GPU, and don't want to spend money for a new AGP card unless I knew for sure that would fix the problem (my MB doesn't have a PCI-E port).

My next options I'm considering:

1. Buying a new GPU, possibly a Radeon 4670 AGP (~$90).

2. Buying a replacement MB that will re-use all of my existing components but with a PCI-E port, possibly an ASUS A8N5X (~$50). And buying a new mid range PCI-E GPU, possibly a Radeon 6750 (~$100).

Yeah, I know I need to update my entire system but that isn't going to happen right now. I could afford either of the above solutions IF I knew it would solve the problem.
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Anonymous

2012-01-05T22:51:07+00:00

I have the 64bit version of Windows 7 with Service Pack 1. According to the Microsoft website the hotfix is for Windows 7 OR Windows 7 Service Pack 1. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2575077. However, it had no effect on my machine.

I disabled the various McAfee services from starting up (task manager Services tab). But maybe other parts of it remain running?
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