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

2010-03-27T01:34:29+00:00

Same problem. Freezes requiring hard reboot. A couple of BSODs - they flashed by pretty fast, but on one I saw a reference to a "bad pool caller". Most importantly, I noticed that the freezes occurred when starting a browser or if it started then shortly after being online. Using local programs did not seem to have any issues. While trying to think of what changed, I noticed that around the time the problems started was when I installed Security Essentials. I uninstalled it and saw no problems. Within minutes after re-installing Security Essentials, my computer froze again. So, I uninstalled Security Essentials and have had no problems since. Note, I do have Zone Alarm (free version), and I wonder if there may be a conflict there - I noticed someone else on this post asked if people were using Zone Alarm. However, I intend to keep Zone Alarm since I know it has kept me safe over the years. As other posts have mentioned, there seems to be an anti-virus connection. I thought it was interesting that one or two people have said they solved their problem by switching to Security Essentials, whereas my problem was solved by removing it. So, my suggestion is if you have this problem, try changing (or temporarily shutting off) your anti-virus to see if that solves the problem.

System:

Win 7 64 bit Home Premium

I7 920 2.67 GHz

9GB DDR3 RAM

Nvidia GeForce GTX 260
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Anonymous

2010-03-27T18:32:53+00:00

Heyyy!

I've been chasing all over the Internet, WKB, Forums, everywhere I could find.

And here is a note, that the issue, for you, was that an "auto" set in CMOS, in yourASUS MOBO, that was the problem. How you ever found that one out, is beyond me. Of course, it may not be my problem, but at least it's something new to try!

Will get back to you soonest.

Barry

(shalba1)
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Anonymous

2010-03-30T16:30:11+00:00

According to Zonealarm, defender and ZA co-habit well... I use the Zone Alarm Extreme Security Suite and Defender.

In addition I scan with the paid for version of AdAware (never used TSR) and Spybot search and destroy (no TSR like teatimer, etc. here either)

Mine usually freezes on shut down or restart... Dell Precision M6400 Win 7 32, Nvidia graphics Quadro 3700 M, 4 gigs RAM Imtel core2 duo P8700 2.53 gHz and a 250 gb SSD HD.
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Anonymous

2010-04-02T06:32:39+00:00

Bloody scary, so many with same issue amd no fixes from MS.... My system win7 ultimate 32bit X86-based PC AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 5200+, 2712 Mhz, 2 Core(s), 2 Logical Processor(s) BIOS Version/Date American Megatrends Inc. 0210, 22/01/2009 SMBIOS Version 2.5 Windows Directory C:\Windows Installed Physical Memory (RAM) 2.00 GB ... Random freezes while operating, also often wont recover from sleep. Tried everything. Believe it is bios and/ or driver conflict but all the windows self check and diagnosis returns evrything is fine!!!! CAN ANYONE HELP WITH THIS BIOS PROBLEM... I cant update bios, manually or with asus update. my win operating system is on first partition on C drive. I have another storage partition ( E)and a 2nd Harddrive (F)no op system. Win registry lists bios on C drive , It is in windows folder when i go to update bios the bios is looking inanother directory Ie, its calling C =F etc If I manually go to the location in F of ROM file, even ytho its really in C, it gives an error in the file and doesnt update, If I use asus update it cant find the bios registry key and shuts down. When I was searching on ASUS I read a report that some BIOS files for some MB's had a problem with WIN 7 which caused random shutdowns!!! Sound familiar! However Im stuck cause I cant update bios... Only thing would be to reinstall win7 and repartition thew complete drive...arrgghh! common MS...lift your game!
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