Windows 7 Random Lockups vs Perfect Vista x64 operation

TommyboyCAN said:

Chev,

What is a good voltage on the NB, where you experiencing these kind of hard lockups or BSOD's?

Ken,

In the event viewer the only type of errors I get are errors like Windows search failed to start, because a file it was using was corrupted because of the last lockup. I can clear that up by running a chkdsk.

The NB voltage requirements are slightly different depending on the motherboard and bios.

At this point I would consider running memtest just to rule out the possiblity of this being a memory problem which can also cause freezing.

I would also make sure that the memory voltage and timings are set to manufacture specs.

Memtest for Windows here. MemTest for Windows Download Page
Directions for using Memtest for windows here.
How to use Memtest for Windows

chev65 said:

The NB voltage requirements are slightly different depending on the motherboard and bios.

At this point I would consider running memtest just to rule out the possiblity of this being a memory problem which can also cause freezing.

I would also make sure that the memory voltage and timings are set to manufacture specs.

Memtest for Windows here. MemTest for Windows Download Page
Directions for using Memtest for windows here.
How to use Memtest for Windows

I was looking thru some of your previous posts in other threads yesterday so I hit it hard with memtest last night and everything was solid. No errors and ran through multiple tests both in windows and booting, no issues. I also stress tested for a good 2 hours with prime95 so I'm happy with the cooling function there.

bummpr said:

Once again...have you seen anything in the Event Logs? Opps...I see you have checked that.

All device drivers have been installed?

Are you satisfied that the CPU cooler is still intact and functioning?

Have you run OCCT for a stress/temperature check?

How old is your power supply? What is the wattage?

You are clearly not a newbie so this might be a tough one to track down...just need one of us to spark an idea that you will connect with your observations.

Let me answer the questions quick:
Device Drivers
- I ran with stock everything, lockup happened
Then I installed updated ATI (9.8 catalyst), Realtek, any windows updates recommened
- Still locking up
Updated Intel ICH9R drivers to latest from intels site
- Still locking up

As far as I know everything is the latest there.

Cooling
I'm satisfied here as the lockups are coming in completely idle states more often then of states with load.

Stress Testing
I have been using mostly prime95 to test stressing while watching temps with real temp. Would OCCT do anything different then those tools?
My results with prime95 were fine so I don't think its heating at all.

Power
I have an antec 550 watt PSU that I have been using for about 2 years now. If that could be the problem I bought a spare yesterday that I could test with if that could be the area of problem.

Thanks for the help from everyone. Not too sure how to rep people but once I figure it out I will =).

Antman said:

There seems to be power issues in Win7 across the board. Check your power plan settings and wiggle them around.

I was thinking the same thing, so this morning I changed everything to be full power ahead, including even shutting off monitor and hard disks.

Just wanted to give a quick update. The last lockup occured at abotu 11pm last night. I rebooted and have been running steady just idling since then till present time, no lockups yet so maybe it was Antmans suggestion. But I want to see 3 days straight before I'm comforable.

So I was cautiously optimistic since I had been running a fair long amount of time, but of course my hopes that one of the power settings had fixed it was destroyed.

As I was watching Live TV while attempt to encode a video to DVD it just halted again. I'm really perplexed on this one, as I cannot come up with one component that I haven't tested that would cause a lockup just out of the blue in both an idle and use state.

I have spares in other PCs of most parts so I guess I'm looking for a good recommendation of where to start?

HD, PSU, Memory??

If I were to try a different component chances are I would try a fresh install, update all the drivers and see if I can get it working consistently.

Update
I got the PC to last about 26 hours till it decided it had enough last night maybe around 5 am or soemthing. Anyways I'm going to start taking pieces of it apart and maybe even disassemble the raid. Maybe then I can figure out the culprit.

Do you have the option to raise ICH voltage? I been told this is sometimes needed in a raid environment. Are you running the latest Intel Matrix Storage Manager software? Also run memtest+ for 24 hours atleast.

Are you doing a full reinstall or just the upgrade option ?

TommyboyCAN said:

So I was cautiously optimistic since I had been running a fair long amount of time, but of course my hopes that one of the power settings had fixed it was destroyed.

As I was watching Live TV while attempt to encode a video to DVD it just halted again. I'm really perplexed on this one, as I cannot come up with one component that I haven't tested that would cause a lockup just out of the blue in both an idle and use state.

I have spares in other PCs of most parts so I guess I'm looking for a good recommendation of where to start?

HD, PSU, Memory??

If I were to try a different component chances are I would try a fresh install, update all the drivers and see if I can get it working consistently.

I would investigate the memory or memory timings-voltage settings or try another set of memory.