New Win7 64bit Install unresponsive at times

Hi,

Brand new Win7 (64bit) installation from Retail Upgrade DVD on a Dell Precision 690 Workstation. 2x3Ghz Xeon, 12GB RAM, 1TB SATA. Upgrade from XP, reformatted the disk via custom install.

System quick at first, then just "takes a vacation". Decides to come back, then off again. On vacation, nothing is responded to. Ctrl-Alt-Del does get me to menu where I could e.g. change password, start task manager etc. But at that menu, all input is ignored, at least initially. Some (LONG) time later, I'll find a bunch of task manager windows running on the system.

What gives? Should I just let it sit for a while (how long?)

This same machine flew with XPSP3 (32bit) just a few days ago. Unix (64bit and 32bit) flies on this system. HW shaken down rather well.

Thanks!

Try installing your chipset drivers.

Use Vista 64 bit from here: http://support.dell.com/support/down...ng=en&TabIndex=

gregrocker said:

Try installing your chipset drivers.

Thanks for the suggestion.... if you didn't mention using the Vista drivers I wouldn't have even considered trying them.

Now if the machine would respond long enough to kick off the install

I've updated all drivers which applied from the Dell site. Specifically the Broadcom NIC, chip drivers and audio. Others didn't apply (e.g. modem.) Things are better, but "not right", still slower than 32bit XPSP3 on the same HW (swap SATA disks, I can compare the two.) I also updated the NVidia display drivers to the Win7 64bit from their website. They were dated Jan 2010, so are new.

Surfasb, if it is a driver conflict, how do I track it down? Note, from day one, system is "s l o w", uninstalling things etc. takes a lot of time as a result.

Symptoms... system just doesn't respond.... ctrl-alt-del sometimes gets it's attention, others, I can log out then log back in, sometimes power cord is needed.

If this helps.... I just tried to change the theme.... system wouldn't respond to anything except the power off button. ctrl-alt-del didn't do anything.

Check if there is a BIOS update for your model computer or mobo.

What is the SATA controller setting in BIOS?

I would def run a Repair Install.

If this doesn't improve things, I'd clean reinstall after zeroing the HD. See how it runs with drivers given by the installer and Windows Updates before adding any.

gregrocker said:

Check if there is a BIOS update for your model computer or mobo.

I'm running the latest, A08

I would def run a Repair Install.

If this doesn't improve things, I'd clean reinstall after zeroing the HD. See how it runs with drivers given by the installer and Windows Updates before adding any.

I started with a fresh install, reformatted the brand new SATA disk. Only went to Vista drivers based on your initial suggestion, in reply to my first post in this thread. I went to NVidia drivers to see if they would help.

Would clean install change anything?

What is the SATA controller setting in BIOS?

I'm not in front of the machine, will check. Same settings for XP SP3 (FreeBSD and Fedora too) work just fine.

If you hadn't changed out any drivers after initial install while the prob persisted, then that likely wasn't the prob.

Was using the maker's chipset any different?

I'd still try a Repair Install to refresh OS files.

Have you studied the Event Viewer>Admin View to see any recurrent probs with devices or drivers?

I'd also generate a System Health Report and also study the DIagnostics Performance log at Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Performance Information and Tools\Advanced Tools to research recurring errors

gregrocker said:

If you hadn't changed out any drivers after initial install while the prob persisted, then that likely wasn't the prob.

Was using the maker's chipset any different?

Not really.... possibly a bit better.

I've tried the event viewer, nothing in there except where I e.g. shut the machine down abnormally. Running this "hangs", but ctrl-alt-del instantly gets me to the menu where I can lock the machine, start task mgr etc. starting task manager takes too long. Locking is instant. Unlock then gets me back to a responsive system.

I'd still try a Repair Install to refresh OS files.

I'll do this eventually, might even start over too. This is a new disk soley for the purpose of getting Win 7 setup and kicking the tires. Prefer 64bit version.

Might slap in the XP SP3 disk, boot and run Windows Advisor just to see the results.

Have you studied the Event Viewer>Admin View to see any recurrent probs with devices or drivers?

I'd also generate a System Health Report and also study the DIagnostics Performance log at Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Performance Information and Tools\Advanced Tools to research recurring errors

Doing this now.