Windows 7 randomly freezes

nostar said:

They originally started happening here and there when I would run the Windows update. I would need to do a hard reboot. After a while, I just reformatted the HD and started over. I would partition the drive and install XP first, then 7. I successfully ran Windows update for a while, the last time was back on 11/28, then it just started freezing again. I could run 7 fine, or so I thought, as long as I didn't do Windows update. Then, around Dec 1st or so, it decided to freeze after I closed Firefox, then another time when I was using IE, I think. It's running fine now, but if I decide to run an update, it will freeze.

You indicate that the problem is usually present when you try to use windows update. Follow these instructions from MS. Hopefully things will begin to work better.
Before you make any of these changes make a system restore point, just in case.


"WindowsUpdate_8007273D" "WindowsUpdate_dt000 Windows 7 update error message.

These steps suggested by MS, are intended to correct corruption in the updating service. The steps apply equally to both your situation and to that mentioned in the bulletin.

You mentioned other freezes, once with IE and also on another ocassion. We have to work at one possible cause at a time, so we will start with Updates since the majority of freezes happend while it was in use.

In an earlier post you have been instructed to test most of the possible problems, which could be in the system.

I assume that you feel that the RAM is good based upon the second test. Use memory test diagnostic again. If you fail again, you may want to test the ram as I suggested.

nostar said:

Let Memtest run all night and this morning these are the errors:

-Tst: 7; Pass: 0; Failing Address: 0000c810e24/200.00MB; Good: 04b67135; Bad: 00b67135; Err-Bits: 04000000; Count: 1

-Tst: 4; Pass: 6; Failing Address: 0011f179dc8/4593.4MB; Good: ac272dc9; Bad: 8c272dc9; Err-Bits: 20000000; Count: 79

-Tst: 4; Pass: 7; Failing Address: 0000c810e24/200.00MB; Good: 7482d028; Bad: 7082d028; Err-Bits: 04000000; Count: 80


Obviously the second error is telling me that one of the sticks is bad. Now I just need to shut her down and take the one out that I think it is and boot her back up and see what happens. Am I right to think that it may even be the port itself on the mobo?

The link that I sent shows how to test the ports, also.

nostar said:

Yeah, you're right. Since XP has been running fine, would the logical thing be that the second stick is bad? XP only uses up to 2GB RAM anyways.

Note: I didn't see your last post about the update. I'll try that now and see what happens.

It would be a shame to get so close to a solution and we start to assume things. Lets go with the assumption either stick could be bad, but I do, unofficially, tend to agree with you.

I think it would be wise to stick with the memory problem for now. Check the sticks and the ports.

nostar said:

I'm reading online here that that file doesn't exist in Vista, which would lead me to assume that it wouldn't exist in 7 either.

Windows 7 is Vista "Under the hood", so I would agree.