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
    2010-05-04T21:03:39+00:00

    I was able to boot the volume again by using 3rd party volume descriptor and MBT repair utilities but the instability was still present.

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  2. Anonymous
    2010-05-04T21:38:21+00:00

    Some more detailed symptoms... I am convinced disk writing errors are behind virtually all the symptoms reported in this thread.

    I disagree.  My system freezes.  I don't, however, experience any of the symptoms you discuss re: file/disk writing errors, and I never have any difficulty restarting my system after a freeze.

    It is quite possible that different users are experiencing freezing for different reasons (some are obviously due to a bad memory module, or BIOS misconfiguration; others appear to be directly related to Windows 7, as the same hardware is stable in XP).

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  3. Anonymous
    2010-05-04T22:28:08+00:00

    My system  ran flawlessly for about 7 months and then started up about 5 weeks ago with the same symptoms described here. I have since done dozens of restores and spent days trying to resolve this. I can't say I have read every post in this thread but hit most of them. I tried almost everything suggested without resolving the issue. The problem is still ongoing on my system but I will mention what I suspect is going as I haven't seen but brief mentions of similar issues.

    About the exact same timing as mine, and a number of other people!     Something happened late March.   There is no common thread, various W7 editions, all different CPU and MB,

    Audio drivers and video are often mentioned, but different brands.     People do not mention their security system;  my problem started shortly after BitDefender thought some system files were viruses.    They fixed it fast, but I have wondered about the coincidence.     A week or so ago, there was a report of McAfee doing a similar thing.

    I did override the automatic virtual memory several days ago, as Windows had set it to a value lower than what it said was minimum, no problem since, but not enough time,

    MS needs to take a close look at updates in that time frame.     Only updates everyone gets are theirs.     All other automatic  updates are from AV programs, registry cleaners, or hardware mfg. and I doubt that they are common to anybody.     My machine is generic, and does not have mfg. updates.    When this started, I was in the middle of income tax, so I bought a laptop as backup, a refurbished Acer, W7 home premium, came with McAfee, no problems.     I have not put on Firefox on that one!!!    Has anyone without Firefox had the problem?

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  4. Anonymous
    2010-05-04T22:35:54+00:00

    It is quite possible that different users are experiencing freezing for different reasons (some are obviously due to a bad memory module, or BIOS misconfiguration; others appear to be directly related to Windows 7, as the same hardware is stable in XP).

    I have had the crash in XP, Dual boot system on separate drives.    However, memory had to be replaced soon after, it was under warranty.     At the time I blamed a very old parallel cable lying next a power cord on the floor, since I use XP  for a DOS based Database program to print labels on an impact printer (rarely).

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