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
    2010-11-09T20:39:01+00:00

    http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2265716 Has anyone has any luck with this hotfix or related issues. It sounded like the exact problem I've been having for the past few weeks. My machine will randomly stop responding for anything from 30 seconds to 5 minutes then come back like nothing was wrong. I tried the hotfix, it made it way worse. Luckily it uninstalled ok.

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  2. Anonymous
    2010-11-08T03:33:22+00:00

    Hi All,

    Found these articles:

    http://arstechnica.com/microsoft/news/2010/02/microsoft-details-windows-7-memory-leaks-hangs-freezes.ars

    and

    http://www.zdnet.com/blog/datacenter/random-freeze-problem-chills-windows-server-2008-r2-windows-7/411?tag=nl.e589

    Microsoft describes the symptoms as:

    A computer that is running Windows Server 2008 R2 or Windows 7 stops responding randomly. Applications or services that are running on the computer stop working correctly. Additionally, you cannot log on to the computer by using the remote desktop connection utility.

    And the cause as:

    This issue occurs because of a deadlock condition between the Lsass.exe process, the Redirected Drive Buffering Subsystem (Rdbss.sys) driver, and the Winsock kernel.

    The hotfix is part of what will eventually (early 2011) be released as SP1 for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2.


    thecreator

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  3. Anonymous
    2010-11-07T04:33:39+00:00

    I have had my Win 7 since a a few weeks after it came out. So I have been fighting this for a year. I bought a computer with Vista  the day Win 7 came out and within a week decided I did not like Vista so I upgraded to Win 7. I don't get a blue screen like others. Mine goes all horizontal collored lines. It is as though it takes whatever is on the screen and distorts it. It happens at random times and I have read through this forum all year trying to get some answers. I tried a few things that I could understand. Some of what people say is just over my head. I can't afford to spend hundreds of $$$$$$$ to have someone tell me that Win 7 is the problem. My wife is not as patient as I am and she is really mad. I hope they come up with a solution soon.........Thanks to everyone who has tried to help.

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  4. Anonymous
    2010-11-06T19:10:15+00:00

    Random freezing here too - every couple of days. Running Win 7 64 on an ASUS P7P55D motherboard with updated drivers / Windows patches / BIOS. What seems to have helped (reduced the freezing from once a day) is to disconnect all USB hubs.

    Freezing is so bad the memory dump is corrupt in all cases.

    Got me frustrated enough to start considering switching to Mac, despite huge investment in Windows software and using Windows since Win95 came out. I have a Mac mini as a media center computer and the little bugger hums along undisturbed for weeks at a time

    • the only reboots are due to O/S updates.

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