Random Freeze

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  1. Posts : 10
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64Bit version 6.1.7600
       #1

    Random Freeze


    Greetings those who are more knowledgeable then I!

    Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit version 6.1.7600
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i5 CPU 750 @ 2.67GHz
    Gigabite P55M-UD2 F3 Crossfire DDR3 1333
    2x Super Talent W1333UB2GV DDR3-1333 2GB/128x8 CL9 Value Mem
    NVIDIA GeForce GTS 250 1GB
    Sceptre 23.6" 16:9 LCD 1920 x 1080
    1TB SATA II 3.0 GB 7200RPM
    AZZA CyberPower 600 Watt
    Award Modular BIOS v6.00PG GBT - 42302e31


    My PC randomly freezes on me almost like its in an infinite loop, replaying the last fraction of a second over and over again. It will freeze when I am doing anything or even nothing, just sitting idle. It has even froze on me whilst in safe mode. At first it would never freeze when playing a 3D game like Champions Online or when playing a DVD, but recently even then it freezes. It never goes to BSOD and never unfreezes. I have to manualy power down inorder to do anything else. Upon start up there is always a single short beep.
    It has always had this problem ever since I bought it. I have reinstalled Windows several times. I have run 30 passes of memtest with no errors. I have reseated the RAM and video cards, checked to make sure everything was plugged in firmly. Computer temps are always around 35-40, GPU will get up to 55 when playing a game. All drivers are up to date, maybe the MB driver needs an upgrade but I do not know how to check for that.
    I have had one person say it might be a memory frequency/timings/voltage issue, where the "AUTO" settings in BIOS *may not* produce a stable setting. But I do not want to mess around with the BIOS myself without knowing what I'm doing.

    Any help in this matter is appreciated!
    Last edited by Lanius; 24 Aug 2010 at 17:44.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 11,990
    Windows 7 Ultimate 32 bit
       #2

    Does it do this if you boot in the safe mode? That single beep sounds like a BIOS error code. What is your BIOS?
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  3. Posts : 10
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64Bit version 6.1.7600
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Yes it does freeze while in safe mode.

    Award Modular BIOS v6.00PG GBT - 42302e31
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 11,990
    Windows 7 Ultimate 32 bit
       #4

    This coupled with the beep during post makes me think you have a hardware problem. I do not think it is a Windows problem. See if you can find a list of the error codes for your BIOS. It will tell you what the beep means.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 12,364
    8 Pro x64
       #5

    Lanius said:

    Upon start up there is always a single short beep.
    A single short beep sounds like the normal POST beep.

    It's when you hear long beeps, multiple beeps etc you need to go looking for POST beep codes.




    maybe the MB driver needs an upgrade but I do not know how to check for that.

    Revision 1.0

    Revision 1.1

    (Double check whether your board is revision 1.0 or 1.1)

    Also you may need to update your BIOS





    I have had one person say it might be a memory frequency/timings/voltage issue, where the "AUTO" settings in BIOS *may not* produce a stable setting. But I do not want to mess around with the BIOS myself without knowing what I'm doing.
    Your symptoms do tend to point towards RAM, however ▼

    I have run 30 passes of memtest with no errors.
    But Memtest is not a 100% guarantee as it only tests the RAM. It does not test how it 'interacts' with the CPU etc

    For example, if the weakness is in the CPU's IMC (integrated Memory Controller) - memtest will not detect it.

    Your Ram settings should be 1333mhz 9-9-9-36 @ 1.5v

    Also, your RAM does not appear to be on the QVL support list - this may, or may not be an issue. Some boards will accept RAM not on the QVL while others can be just flat out picky.

    Could you please post a screen-shot of CPU-Z's memory and SPD tabs?

    ie

    Attachment 93079 Attachment 93080



    It could be a number of things, but lets try to rule out RAM as the culprit first.
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  6. Posts : 11,990
    Windows 7 Ultimate 32 bit
       #6

    Thank you, smarteyeball. This lends credibility to my suspicion of a hardware issue.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 10
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64Bit version 6.1.7600
    Thread Starter
       #7

    On the MB it says revision 1.0
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 12,364
    8 Pro x64
       #8

    If you look at the Cycle Time (tRas) 24 clocks, according to the Supertalent sites specs, it should be 36.

    But according to the JDEC# 4 in CPU-Z it's 24 - However, I'm a little dubious whether or not it's being accurately reported by CPU-Z. Even the JDEC on my RAM is being reported incorrectly.

    I'd set the tRas in the bios to 36.

    Also, how do you physically have your RAM installed? In the first two slots, or in slots 1 and 3?
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 10
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64Bit version 6.1.7600
    Thread Starter
       #9

    Slots 1 and 3 as they are both white, 2 and 4 are blue.

    The tRAS is indeed set at 24 in the BIOS but it would not go to 36, 31 is the highest I could set it at.

    Here are a few photos from my BIOS if it will help any.
    Last edited by Lanius; 26 Aug 2010 at 12:03.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 12,364
    8 Pro x64
       #10

    Thanks for the BIOS shots.


    If the RAM is installed in DDR3_1 and DDR3_3 (they should be the white slots) then that's fine. And the tRAS only goes up to 31? Interesting.

    The DRAM voltage looks correct, although there appears be quite a bit of voltage drop (vdroop) between the input vcore setting and the actual vcore (1.8750>1.136v) - however that could be the C1E/Speed step voltage (power saving setting).


    I've just re-read your original post and it's symptoms and there a few things that are bugging me - it has all the hallmarks of RAM problems, but the machine functioned fine for X amount of time before suddenly freezing and it sounds like the intensity of those freezes are increasing. Since the RAM passed memtest, I'm starting to believe it's something else.


    It's time to cast the net a bit wider:

    ► How long did the machine function correctly before it 'suddenly started to freeze' - more importantly did it always function properly, or were there one or two freezes every now and then since day one and the freezes are just now increasing?

    ►Did you add any devices, or start using any new devices (external HDD, iPod, Webcam etc)

    ► Windows Update/driver update. Do you recall updating any software around this time? The contradiction here is that it's even freezing in Safe Mode which largely eliminates the vast majority of problematic drivers or software. Which still points the finger at hardware rather than software.

    ► Are there any 'unknown devices', or devices with a yellow triangle showing in device manager?

    Attachment 93521


    Other Potential Culprits:

    ► Failing PSU.

    Download HWinfo and under the Sensors Tab, could you post a screenshot of the area that shows the 12v, 3.3v, 5v area:

    Attachment 93522

    *NB software based reporting is not entirely accurate since it gets it's results from the BIOS - Only a multimeter is accurate, but S/W based can useful for a 'ball park' idea.

    ► Failing GPU.

    Although, this often, but not always, manifests itself with loss of signal (black screen, grey/red/corrupt image etc)

    ► Failing HDD (or faulty sata cable)

    Aside from RAM, this is another device that can lead to system freezes as described similar to what are you experiencing.

    Download Speccy and post a screenshot of the S.M.A.R.T values:

    Attachment 93520

    (It looks like I may have to keep on eye on my OS drive...)
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