Unfortunately, that did not provide information on what firmware needs updating. Could be the BIOS, hard disk, DVD drive, etc. Could also just be Windows corruption.
- Run SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker up to three times to fix all errors with a restart in between each. Post back if it continues to show errors after a fourth run or if the first run comes back with no integrity violations.
Alright, ran sfc /scannow already, 3 times, did not show any integrity violations for all 3 times.
Looks good. Still, it might be a good idea to Repair Install Windows 7 to rule out Windows corruption as a cause.
Alright, since you are hesitant to do the repair install, we will proceed with other troubleshooting steps. The simplest would be to check if there is an application or service conflicting with Windows. Troubleshoot Application Conflicts by Performing a Clean Startup
EDIT: I guess I spoke too soon. Computer just froze again even on a clean startup.
Might want to add that it has a high tendency of freezing shortly after resuming from sleep. But it does happen every few without going to sleep.
Also want to add that I've unplugged my DVD reader from the PC (both SATA and power port) since I don't use it anymore and so I could rule that out from being the cause.
Sounds like hardware to me. Let us know how things go with the DVD reader unplugged. If you still freeze, we will provide further troubleshooting steps for hardware to check.
Ah, proceed with the following hardware checks, then.
- Monitor temperatures during the following tests.
Use the following programs to monitor the temperatures.
- Real Temp is a good CPU temperature monitor.
- Speccy - System Information - Free Download will monitor all hardware temperatures.
- HWiNFO, HWiNFO32 & HWiNFO64 - Hardware Information and Analysis Tools can be inaccurate for CPU temperatures, but is a good program for GPU temperature monitoring.
- Use FurMark: VGA Stress Test, Graphics Card and GPU Stability Test, Burn-in Test, OpenGL Benchmark and GPU Temperature | oZone3D.Net to test the graphics card GPU. Let it run until the GPU temperatures even out or until the GPU temperatures reach a dangerous level (you can find the max temperature for your card on either the nVidia or AMD sites; if you are not sure, ask us). The goal is to get a steady temperature, find out if the GPU is overheating, or to see if there are any artifacts present in the test itself: look for strange pixelated patterns on the screen or colors that do not look like they belong. Then use the |MG| Video Memory Stress Test 1.7.116 Download to test your graphics card memory. Let the memory test run for at least seven passes; the more the better.
- Run Hardware - Stress Test With Prime95 to determine any hardware problems. Run all three tests for a few hours each. If you get errors, stop the test and post back here.
- Follow the steps for doing a CPU stress test using IntelBurnTest
- Run the boot version of Memtest86+ paying close attention to Parts 2 and 3 of the tutorial. Also, in case Memtest86+ misses anything and comes up with no errors, run the extended version of the Windows Memory Diagnostics Tool for at least five passes. These you may want to run overnight since they take a long time to complete (run them an hour before bed each of the next two nights and check before going to sleep that they are still running).
If you swap any memory components, follow these steps for ESD safety:
- Shut down and turn off your computer.
- Unplug all power supplies to the computer (AC Power then battery for laptops, AC power for desktops)
- Hold down the power button for 30 seconds to close the circuit and ensure all power drains from components.
- Make sure you are grounded by using proper grounding techniques, i.e. work on an anti-static workbench, anti-static desk, or an anti-static pad. Hold something metallic while touching it to the anti-static surface, or use an anti-static wristband to attach to the anti-static material while working.
Once these steps have been followed, it is safe to remove and replace components within your computer.
Did Memtest for 12 passes last night (overslept) without any errors. Will continue with the rest.
However, just wanna state that my computer freezing seems to happen most often after resuming from sleep. Within half an hour from resuming from sleep. Could it be any of my hardware being sleep-incompatible?
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