Computer locks up during certain games, event viewer included

Good you got it to boot at least. This is really hard to place blame positively on any one thing. IT could be that you board is failing.

I had one that would fail to boot without powering it off 2-3 times.

No need for cussing.

Yeah I have a mate in OZ who was trying to find a Z77 board and they too are in short supply. He deals with PC Case Gear.
Would you have to RMA it too the US or Japan or is there a vendor there who would handle it?

RMA is Return Merchandise Authorization. It is really only a number issued to send a defective item back. The term "RMA" has evolved to be a noun or verb too. Ex. Did you RMA it?

What I would do is a diagnostic install:

Test your hardware one more time from Troubleshooting Steps for Windows 7

Unplug all but the target HD, wipe the HD with Diskpart Clean Command. Now there is nothing carried over from the previous install that can affect it at all.

Following the steps to Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 after actual install to single partiiton, get online to enable Automatically deliver drivers via Windows Update (Step 3) then run all rounds of Important and Optional Windows Updates.

After each requested reboot, test performance to determine if the freezes are happening. Don't install any programs except those needed to test performance fully, e.g. Flash player, a game, etc.

If not then once all Updates are installed, install programs one at a time with time to test performance in between each. This may isolate what is causing the freezes.

If the problem recurs just after install then it is likely hardware related. Strip the machine down to just the HD, mobo, GPU and CPU to see if it goes away. If so it may be a component or cable.

Stress test the CPU with CPU - Stress Test with Prime95 - Windows 7 Forums and Video with Furmark.

Hardware experts may add more steps.

MajorFoley said:

Britton30 said:

No need for cussing.

Yeah I have a mate in OZ who was trying to find a Z77 board and they too are in short supply. He deals with PC Case Gear.
Would you have to RMA it too the US or Japan or is there a vendor there who would handle it?

I doubt they have an australian branch. Half my computer parts are from PC Case gear, namely my keyboard, my case, my power supply and 2 of my hard drives are from there. and RMA? Havent heard the acronym

It is just thee same as getting the ok from PCCG MF.

Now for a total stab in the dark how about trying this


RESCUE AV BOOT SCAN

Go to here 5Bootable AntiVirus Rescue CD for Windows: Free Download and usefully the Kaspersky one is ok > make a bootable diskor USB stick set the BIOS to boot from what drive you are going to use an itwill run through the machine from the very start of power on. It would pick upanything that is lurking in or around the registry at least.
Doesn't take long and well it eliminates another avenue

I don't know about the Windows failing to become active but you might see if you have a restore point prior to the problem.
System Restore