System freezing (7 Pro 64-Bit)

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  1. Posts : 28
    Windows 7 Professional 64-Bit
       #1

    System freezing (7 Pro 64-Bit)


    I installed Win 7 Pro 64-bit about 5 days ago and I'm having a problem where about every other day I will get a hard freeze that completely halts the computer (no BSOD), so I have to force power down. Twice it's happened when I'm simply using Firefox, the other time it happened when I was playing a game (Left 4 Dead 2 demo). Most of the time the system is just fine, so it's peculiar.

    This machine was very stable when I was running XP Pro on it, so I suspect it's a driver issue, but am unsure. The only hardware change I made since the upgrade was to add an extra 4 GB of RAM to it (total of 6GB), but I'm running it at specifications, and a MEMTEST 86+ check runs successfully.

    I am not finding a minidump file, but I did see someone recommend changing that option to "small memory dump", so I just did that. We'll see if I get anything at the next crash.

    Does anyone have any ideas? I've hunted through the logs around the time that I see the Kernel-Power error stating the machine rebooted unexpectedly, but I'm not seeing anything helpful.

    My next thought is to throw Prime95 at it and see what happens. I ran it for a bit with no problems, but I may let it go overnight tonight.

    Much thanks in advance,

    -HM
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 7
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #2

    Hmm I'll take a stab at it. I too am experiencing freezing/lockups however I have Windows 7 x64 installed on a laptop. I experience most of the freeze ups and lock ups during heavy usage when the temps rise up. The only weird thing is, I was doing just fine with windows xp during heavy usage. Double check all your drivers and see if they are windows 7 compatible and x64 compatible. If you have any unknown hardware devices in your device manager, see about taking care of those. I've been on these forums and haven't been able to figure out why this freezing/ lockup happens but maybe we can help some of the people experiencing this problem at least.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 28
    Windows 7 Professional 64-Bit
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Thanks for responding in my thread. Yeah, I've updated all the drivers I can. All are 64-bit. It isn't a temperature rising thing because I can simply be surfing at my desktop and it happens. But it's so intermittent - only 3 times in a week. I've had the machine on for well over 24 hours now with no crashing. And I've been doing some tasking stuff, such as playing Dawn of War 2 and Left 4 Dead.

    Someone elsewhere did state they think it's a Firefox thing, so I've decided to start using Chrome and see if that avoids the issue.

    -HM
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 7
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #4

    Hollow Man said:
    Thanks for responding in my thread. Yeah, I've updated all the drivers I can. All are 64-bit. It isn't a temperature rising thing because I can simply be surfing at my desktop and it happens. But it's so intermittent - only 3 times in a week. I've had the machine on for well over 24 hours now with no crashing. And I've been doing some tasking stuff, such as playing Dawn of War 2 and Left 4 Dead.

    Someone elsewhere did state they think it's a Firefox thing, so I've decided to start using Chrome and see if that avoids the issue.

    -HM
    Hmm yea its a weird. I ran Prime95's blend test and had the motherboard temp believe its the northbridge and both of my cores in my T3400 at around 82 C with no crash. The laptop was so hot after that lolz, but no crash whatsoever. I was a concerned about how I just cut in half the life expectancy of my hardware but meps its an Acer lolz. I'll keep posting if I find something. I uninstalled MineField which is a x64 bit version of Firefox.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 1,607
    Windows 7 x64 finally!
       #5

    Hi HH
    I have seen similar problems because of overheating and incompatible hardware (in that case, TV tuner card).
    I can suggest two things:
    - Check the temperature rather than only assuming it is not it.
    - Fill in your system specs (click "My system Specs" on the left lower corner of any of your posts), so we can better help
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 28
    Windows 7 Professional 64-Bit
    Thread Starter
       #6

    System specifications added. Note I played Borderlands for 3 hours straight yesterday with no crash. PC was on all day with no crashing. It's very, very intermittent.

    -HM
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 1,607
    Windows 7 x64 finally!
       #7

    Thanks HM, good job filling in complete specs. Nice rig.

    I don't want to be a pain, but looking at your case, which is very small, and the fact that you have not actually monitored the temperature, makes me suggest again that you take a look at it. I hope you prove me wrong. Actually not, since then it is more even complicated. Check the CPU cooler connections (another member had a similar problem and solved by thightening the screws)

    I found a reference at the Shuttle forum website to the Cricual Ballistix being problematic with this system. I found a lot of Crucial in the QVL for the Intel board D975XBX2 (I think this is it, it is the only one listed under the 975X chipset), but they list the PNs, not the models. Take a look and check if your memory is listed as compatible. What memory frequency are you using, btw?
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 28
    Windows 7 Professional 64-Bit
    Thread Starter
       #8

    It crashed last night, once, without Firefox running, so that's not it. After that crash it was perfect the rest of the night. Again, played Borderlands for a few hours with no problems.

    I actually scaled the timings back to 5-5-5-18 because the new 4 GB of Ballistix would crash Memtest at its rated 4-4-4-12. I'm running it @800 (specifications). Putting 2V into it.

    I'd tend to think it was temperatures if the machine wasn't so damn stable 90% of the time. It only crashes fairly soon after boot...like it's a process that kicks in that ticks off the system. Although admittedly the hard freeze is indicative of a memory or CPU issue. I guess I really need to remember to throw Prime95 at it tonight.

    I also turned off the Computer Browser service, which seems to kick on and off right before the crash. I doubt it's the issue, but who knows. I'm also skeptical of the new Microsoft Security Essentials (which I've never used before), but again, it sure doesn't seem like it should cause a hard freeze.

    Any suggestions of the best way to read the temperatures in the thing?

    Thanks again for checking in,

    -HM
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 8
    Windows Vista
       #9

    I installed Win 7 on my laptop over a week ago and was working fine. For the last few days I keep getting freezing and ultimately a window that says that windows is experiencing problems and needs to shut down. Even when I say ok, it can't do it by itself so I need to force shutdown. This is during ordinary usage (Microsoft Office Suite and Thunderbird and Firefox usage). I am not a techy so finding dump files is Greek to me. It is not a hardware issue (ie. temperature).

    Help! I run a home based business and this is paralysing me!
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 1,607
    Windows 7 x64 finally!
       #10

    Hollow Man said:
    Any suggestions of the best way to read the temperatures in the thing?
    HM, I don't overclock or anything so it seems you will have more experience than me with this. I have only used Speedfan so far, nothing beyond that

    jimjoeb said:
    I am not a techy so finding dump files is Greek to me.
    Welcome to the forums Jimjoeb
    This thread has instructions how to locate and post the dump file that should have been generated at the time of the crash. Basically you have to copy one directory, zip it and post it here. As described there, you might be better off creating a thread with your problem description, filling in the "My system Specs" (lower left corner of your post, or click on "User CP" up on top) and attaching the zipped dump file.

    Both: please check here for other methods of recording the crash situaiton, in case you do not have a dmp file

    Good luck and let us know
      My Computer


 
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