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

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments No comments
Answer accepted by question author
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

Was this answer helpful?

80+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments No comments

966 additional answers

Sort by: Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2011-10-20T13:29:33+00:00

    thats when my problems started when i installed avg  i removed it but by then it was to late

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  2. Anonymous
    2011-10-20T23:11:54+00:00

    Could be your cpu is running too hot. Try visually inspecting your cooling fan for excess amounts of dust. Cleaning the heat sink could be your best option.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  3. Anonymous
    2011-10-21T10:19:07+00:00

    That would make sense, but i have not had a crash in 3 days now. And the reason being because i have not watched a video online etc

    I can still play games as normal etc so therefore it would not stand out as CPU overheating

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  4. Anonymous
    2011-10-23T14:53:44+00:00

    I'm experiencing this same problem..   I built my PC a few months back and initially, it would crash horribly, but it turned out to be incompatible memory.   Since replacing I had no problems whatsoever and the system performed flawlessly no matter what I threw at it..  but then a few weeks ago it started locking up, the image would remain the same (no black screen or BSOD), and the activity pointer (animated circle) would just spin round and round while the audio was stuck in a buzzing loop (keyboard and mouse wouldn't respond).  I can't seem to narrow it down to a specific task but it does seem to occur most when media or gaming is involved.

    I can't recall exactly when the freezing started but it's very intermittent.   I've tried updating drivers, adjusting BIOS/memory settings, power management settings, updating to the latest BIOS, but the freezing is still there.   Only thing I have yet to do is a clean install on a spare HD (which I guess i'll try next).   I agree with the theory that maybe it's a windows/software update issue that's come into effect recently though, which may explain why Vista is also impacted...

    My Specs:

    Intel Core i7 2600

    Asus P67T LE

    16 GB DDR3 Corsair

    1.5TB Seagate Barracuda HD

    ATI Radeon HD6870

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments