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
    2010-11-10T21:45:16+00:00

    Well it would seem I am now also a member of the what the heck is going on with my computer club.

    It all started happening to me yesterday. My monitor stopped receiving input from my machine and my machine was "stuck", I guess, I couldn't turn it off normally. It still appeared to be running, the power light was on and there were the normal fan sounds etc., but the only way I could get it to power down was to unplug it. When I plugged it back in it automatically booted back up and I have been going through this process over and over as I try to solve the problem ever since. Oh and I should also add that since this started I have also been hearing occasional pops/clicks/static from my speakers.

    I have read through this forum and tried numerous fixes and have yet to solve the problem. Sometimes everything is fine for an hour sometimes mere minutes.

    All of my drivers are up to date. When I run Core Temp my temperatures are okay. I've custom set my Virtual Memory to 4000. Turned off all of my StartUp programs.I have added {C:\Program Files\Microsoft Security Essentials} to my list of excluded files to scan in Microsoft security essentials and still the problem persists. Even in Safe Mode sitting idle.

    I have yet to roll it all back to factory, but that seems like my next step (although it doesn't seem to be the absolute solution from what I've read).

    I am running Windows 7 x64 / On a Gateway DX4300 / with a Gateway RS780 Motherboard / AMD Phenom II x4 810 Processor (4 CPUs), ~2.6GHz / 6144MB RAM / ATI Radeon HD 3200 Graphics card.

    This machine is fairly new and I have been running it problem free since I've gotten it until now. Any Suggestions will be greatly appreciated in resolving this matter. It has me thoroughly frustrated.

    The ATI Radeon Catalyst 10-09 drivers caused my system to freeze (not a temporary freeze; a hard freeze -- keyboard/mouse frozen -- requiring a hard reset).  The 10-10 drivers appear fine (as are 10-07 and 10-08). [I mention this since you are using a Radeon HD 3200.]

    Suggest you look at the "Reliability History" in Win 7 to see what changes you made right before it started to freeze.

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  2. Anonymous
    2010-11-11T17:01:58+00:00

    I have since turned off my various Sound Controllers.I Have brought Catalyst up to 10.10 from 10.8 and shut off Workstation in System Processes. Still no fix. Even When all of the sound controllers are disable I still get the lock up.I also have had it happen once completely disconnected from the internet.

    Hardware Sensor Monitor has my Voltages at +12V/+13.50 , +5V/+5.05V , Core/+1.01V , Aux +1.10V.

    My CPU Temp Varies between 39C./40C., HDD Temp 36c., CPU1 41C.

    Cooling Fans -  Chassis/1591 rpm, CPU1 850 rpm.

    Last Night I went 2 hours without a lockup, then 3 hours, then A couple of brief 15 minute-ish sessions.

    Today a couple of brief sessions followed by, currently, an hour and a half.

    My machine seems to be all in order and there is no rhyme or reason to this problem that I can see.

    In the reliability monitor the only event shown before my problem started at 8:41am on 11/09 is a Definition Update for Windows Defender-KB915597 at 3:42am. Prior to that an Update to Windows Defender on the 5th is all, but there were no problems between the 5th and the 8th.

    The last new program that I have installed on my machine prior to the problem starting was on the 2nd and it was Windows Live Essentials.

    I can't think of anymore information I could possibly provide.

    I'm Losing my mind.

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  3. Anonymous
    2010-11-12T11:38:10+00:00

    i have been using win 7 64bit for 2months. Everything was perfect until about week ago, system became unstable and it tends to freeze for 10-20s randomly.

    i didnt change hardware or bios settings during that time.

    I noticed that problem can be wifi network related, usually it cant connect to internet or stg, but nothing for sure.

    I also think that theres a good chance that on of the updates was a reason of that, that theory is supported by fact that many of you reinstall win7 and everything is ok(until system will download one of crappy update again)

    I have few solution:

    -use cable instead of wifi

    -check sata cable !

    -energy settings - perhaps, as someone suggested - is worth to set minimal cpu state to 75%,

    • changing asus motherboad??

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  4. Anonymous
    2010-11-12T13:57:39+00:00

    My ultimate "Fix" was to downgrade to Vista 64 bit.  Running great, rock solid, even with an overclock.  Win 7 wouldn't run solidly for more than a week without crashing even underclocked.

    Absolutely nothing about my hardware or memory settings has changed.  The *only* difference is the OS.

    Microsoft, please fix your operating system.  I love Windows 7, but I have work to do.

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