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
    2009-11-14T00:40:33+00:00

    I'm going to be right behind you, ForceMd. It'd be one thing if I felt Microsoft was taking this seriously, it's totally another when they're obviously NOT doing that. I'm going to reinstall Vista and leave the half-baked Windows 7 alone until I can be assured that these problems have been successfully dealt with.

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  2. Anonymous
    2009-11-14T00:58:05+00:00

    Please can we STOP this being a discussion thread (or a blame game) and try to see how we can resolve the issue? The less noise the better please - the noisier we make the thread the more you are hindering getting a possible solution - and I want a solution. Please either report your issue (accurately) or suggest possible solutions. It's understandable the fraustration but please save this for another thread.

    ----->

    Folks check out the last three hotfixes of this document, 974476, 976972 975599. I hope MS gets out a 976972 kb document ASAP.

    http://blogs.msdn.com/usbcoreblog/archive/2009/11/13/list-of-the-latest-usb-hotfixes-for-each-windows-version.aspx

    They are all USB Windows 7 hotfixes - but where can I find a definitive list of all Windows 7 RTM hotfixes? Maybe we could all scan down such a list. Microsoft?

    Many Thanks...

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  3. Anonymous
    2009-11-14T01:51:09+00:00

    MSDNAlexS,

    I have reported my issue over on the TechNet Win7 forum (thread is titled Random Lockups, Intel Chipset). Posted it nearly two days ago, and as of now have had no response on it at all. If you look in the Hardware Compatibility subsection there, you'll see that a hotfix was posted for a very similar problem cropping up on Nvidia chipset machines. Could it be that the Nvidia fix might also need to be applied to other chipsets? Sorry for venting in my earlier post, but I've seen hundreds of lockup/freeze reports and only one fix so far. After 3 solid months of this I really don't need lectures, I need help.

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  4. Anonymous
    2009-11-14T02:00:59+00:00

    MSDNAlexS,

    I have reported my issue over on the TechNet Win7 forum (thread is titled Random Lockups, Intel Chipset). Posted it nearly two days ago, and as of now have had no response on it at all. If you look in the Hardware Compatibility subsection there, you'll see that a hotfix was posted for a very similar problem cropping up on Nvidia chipset machines. Could it be that the Nvidia fix might also need to be applied to other chipsets? Sorry for venting in my earlier post, but I've seen hundreds of lockup/freeze reports and only one fix so far. After 3 solid months of this I really don't need lectures, I need help.

    Please supply link to your post.

    NB On my previous link you will see NVidia mentioned in one of the hotfixes I mentioned. Maybe that's what you are talking about.

    NB it appears a lot of us are experiencing total freezes, I for one am NOT using the NVidia chipset either.

    As far as MS not getting back to us, it might take them weeks, not days to work this issue one out. Unfortunately freezing of machines is VERY difficult to diagnose.

    It's also not safe to assume that we all have exactly the same problem (although it appears that most of us have the same symptoms)... so we simply need to supply as much info as possible so they can find out what we have in common.

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