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
    2010-09-06T20:02:32+00:00

    Hi, 

    I don't know if you ever did fix your problem or anyone else in here did. But many did have a similar problem as I did. I now have a fix for it (my situation - might help you).

    First my specs are:

    Intel core i7 920 2.66Ghz (not overclocked at the moment - did have problem at normal speed and oc)

    6GB of OCZ RAM (OCZ3P1333LV6GK) @ 1066-7-7-7-20) on Qualified Vendors Lists (QVL)

    ASUS Rampage II Gene Motherboard

    SilverStone Strider Series ST60F 600W

    Samsung SpinPoint F2EG Desktop Class HD502HI 500 GB

    Intel SSD 160GB

    Sapphire RADEON HD 4870

    And bits and pieces.

    • all drivers are up2date and same is Win7

    I often (once or twice a day) had BSOD or system halt. Checked RAM (memtest), tried to stress my system, but no clear cut solution.

    Solution:

    The thing that worked for me was to remove the cable for front side audio connection. I simply unconnected the cable from the motherboard and used the backside ports for audio. And that was it. Haven't had a single issue since. 

    So if nothing else works for you, then give it a try. If you don't know which cable it is, then look in your motherboard manual under***"front panel audio connector"*** and simply disconnect it.

    I hope it works for some - might not be the "will-work-for-all-solution", but give it a try if you still have problems :)

    C.Steinlein

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  2. Anonymous
    2010-09-08T00:19:41+00:00

    I'm having a similar issue too... (I'm glad I'm not the only one, by a looong shot!)

    I'm running 7 Home Basic 32bit and I noticed, a while back, that Windows Explorer was randomly freezing up. I haven't done an awful lot, except installing updates, where I'd blocked them before and running virus checks, all without any joy. I have noticed one thing, and this could be of interest:

    WHEN I LEAVE MY SYSTEM RUNNING FOR 12HRS OR LONGER, THE FREEZING STOPS!

    One night, I decided I couldn't be bothered to shut my system down, and that I'd just leave it sitting there until morning. That was nearly a week ago, and it hasn't frozen or spluttered once since then. I've had it running constantly and performed many tasks with it, some of which have been very graphics, cpu and ram intensive, and it's worked like a dream! Baring in mind I was having total freezing of Explorer every ten seconds or so, at its peak, I think this is a development!

    Now, I'm looking at installing a new graphics card into it, but I'm a bit loathed to turning it off, lol!

    Good luck everyone!

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  3. Anonymous
    2010-09-08T16:26:48+00:00

    So far I think I've solved my BSOD and freezing issues by booting off of the Win7 OS disc and entering the repair function. All ok now for 24hrs. 

    Absolutle F-ing joke... i am re-writing this because it froze during my other one!!! I would use the repiar thing as stated in the quote.. but unfortunately i was given a laptop with the OS already on it, and no OS disc... Im beginning to think Windows 7 is just another Vista and going to cause more hassle than anything

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  4. Anonymous
    2010-09-08T18:30:54+00:00

    I have a similar issue with freezing. Machine specs are:

    Gigabyte 790FXUDP5 Motherboard

    8 GB Ram (4 x 2GB)

    AMD Phenom 955 Black Edition

    GTX260 Graphics

    Sata HDD

    IDE DVD/RW

    I have Windows 7 Professional x64 installed, and experience the freezes with a clean install or not. Most of the time I find that the machine freezes whilst I am scrolling through long lists of items inside my backup program, or my media catalog or during a directory scroll in Explorer etc. The machine will just stop dead in its tracks and wont respond to keyboard commands, requiring a hard reset.

    I have installed today the latest hotfix from Microsoft http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2265716/en-us aimed at fixing such issues. The situation is much improved, as it now just reboots in the middle of whatever I was doing, relieving me from the physical effort of having to lean over and press the reset button.

    It is annoying in the extreme, and completely random other than for the scrolling activity I would be busy with. I also run Ubuntu on the same machine from time to time and it has not crashed once during such sessions, which to me rule out the hardware itself. The CPU is mostly idling at 10-15%, and memory is seldom more than 15% used, unless I run Virtualbox machines.

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