Random freezes with windows 7 - 64 bit

Anonymous

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

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Anonymous

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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966 additional answers

Anonymous

2009-12-21T18:18:02+00:00

Just an update on where I am at - fixed hopefully.

Had built a new i7 unit with Gigabyte GA-P55-UD3R, 2*2gb, Sapphire 4890, Samsung hd.

I was getting freezes all over the place. Updated every driver, bios etc.

Took out 1 of the 2gb of ram and all was fine, and found 1 stick of ram was faulty.

Even with the good 1 *2gb it frooze on large file transfers.

Also, found out the ram I had was not compatible - from the corsair & crucial websites.

RMA'd the 2*2gb and got compatible ram - 2*2gb again and was playing MW2 today.

initial ram - Corsair 4gb (2x2gb) Ddr3 1333mhz Xms3 Memory Kit Cl9 (9-9-9-24)

replaced with - Crucial 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 1333MHz/PC3-10600 Memory Kit CL9 1.5V

Thanks to the folks who sugested I take out 1 of the ram, helped to solve it for me.

K

All still running ok?

I don't suppose you have the part number for your ram by chance?

What is MW2?

I just dropped the voltage on my ram from 1.65v to 1.55v and trying this for moment
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Anonymous

2009-12-21T18:20:09+00:00

One thing I've noticed is that the freeze often happens when an alert from the system tray (eg: Windows Messenger, TweetDeck alert etc) pops up. It often freezes when one of these alerts begins to fade, almost like it has something to do with applying fading transparency.

Funny you should say that, this seems to be when I see my freezes too.

I read somewhere else that someone solved this problem by switching the desktop to windows classic, I have not tried this and don't see the point, I like Windows 7 look
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Anonymous

2009-12-21T21:00:56+00:00

Howdy,

all running fine - not a single issue since I put in the new ram.

MW2 - call of duty-modern warfare 2 - :) fairly intensive game so putting the pc thru it's paces.

Ram was bought from ebuyer.com - http://www.ebuyer.com/product/166995

Manu # - CT2KIT25664BA1339

let me know how you get on.

k
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Anonymous

2009-12-21T22:46:26+00:00

BlokeUK, I switched to Windows Classic desktop and within 20 minutes had another freeze, so that didn't fix it for me. An interesting thing was that once again a Windows Live Messenger alert window was attempting to fade away, and the really interesting thing is that the alert window seems to ignore the Windows Classic settings - it has a semi-transparent border, not the hard-edged gray border of Windows Classic.
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