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
    2010-12-20T20:32:59+00:00

    Hi Wicked Crispy,

    Are you experiencing the same issues as described by the other users in the thread? If you have not already, try the troubleshooting steps suggested as many of the users were able to resolve their issues.  If your issue is different, please create a new thread detailing your issue and include any error messages you receive. You may also wish to include any troubleshooting steps you have already taken.

    Dena

    Microsoft Answers Support Engineer

    Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think.

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  2. Anonymous
    2010-12-28T00:35:11+00:00

    I wonder if anyone could help me,

    My PC freeze randomly while im browsing, playing games or doing something else. I searched online about this matter and didnt get any proper fix for this issue. I tried downloading latency checker , and i have seen my latency goes upto 25000 while i am downloading or streaming . I tried updating all my drivers, scanned my pc with Avast, defragged, Did a registry scan with cccleaner still the problem persist. I had a recent update on my graphics driver then i thought that would be the problem then i rolled back and that didnt change anything. I also run 32 bit windows prof , but that problem also got on that OS too.  I run windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit , 4 GB RAM , Nvidia 9800 GT graphics with Quad core processor.

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  3. Anonymous
    2011-01-06T22:25:44+00:00

    @Dena - Support Engineer: I don't think your answer is hardly appropriate! This thread was started > 1 year ago. It tells you of countless stories of desperate users who paid money for your product and are mainly left alone dealing with an error MANY people encounter since a long time!

    Event Viewer doesn't even recognize the system is freezing. No error message, just a frozen screen and a required reboot. Mainly when I'm working on something I need to get done!

    It took me some time to get Windows XP running like a charm. Then you made me switch to Win 7 64bit, which I did 6 months ago. In these 6 months I learned hating my computer. The worst thing: you now tell people Win 7 is SO MUCH better than anything I had before. Well, it isn't. It's just Marketing.

    I (sometimes, when it doesn't freeze) run Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit , 8 GB RAM , with Quad core processor on a SONY VAIO Z1.

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  4. Anonymous
    2011-01-12T14:53:54+00:00

    I believe I solved the problem, at least for some root causes.

    1. started VERIFIER.exe (enter verifier in the Start Menu search box)
    2. Create custom settings
    3. Select individual settings
    4. Select everything, except "Low resource simulation"
    5. Check for "unsigned drivers" - there shouldn't be any
    6. Check for "older versions drivers" - here I found my solution!

    I had "mfehidk.sys", an old McAfee driver. In order to clean that up (I'm now using Panda AV 2011) I went to the McAfee website and (I wonder why...) they had a cleaning tool for their virus scanner remains. In general, any conflicts between virus scanners can be deadly for Windows. So, that did it for me!

    If that fails, you should verify ALL drivers which are NOT Microsoft. The system will ask you to reboot and with a VERY HIGH likelihood, your system will become extremely unstable and give you Blue Screens at least. Now, this is what you want at this point in time! Sobeforeyou do that, downloadBlueScreenView.exe (from nirsoft.net).Do also create aRestore Point for the last "stable" version, before you reboot with these verifier settings. ("stable" doesn't mean you need a stable Windows, you obviously don't have at this point, it just enables you to revert to a version which is LESS unstable than what you get now!)

    The series of events goes than like this:

    1. reboot with harsh verifier.exe settings applied, as described above
    2. get a blue screen!
    3. reboot with <F8> in Safe Mode
    4. using bluescreenview.exe, find the culprit driver
    5. turn off verifier.exe OR revert to the last "good" restore point
    6. update or get rid of this driver (can be very difficult)

    You might have to repeat this process until you get a clean system. An important remark - the driver you find being responsible for the blue screen might NOT be the right one. In my case, the (good) Panda Driver was reported, while the faulty McAfee driver creating the conflict was the real reason. So, don't work mechanically, its an "art". ;)

    The Web offers descriptions for several cleaning procedures like this. I still wonder why MS can't get these driver problems solved by themselves and by a procedure which is a bit less "medieval-ish".

    A final WARNING! You do the above described at your own risk! If you are not very experienced with Windows, you might end up with a fully screwed up system. So please don't blame me, if it doesn't work for you. Verifier is a program not to be trifled with!

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