Repair Install has created random freezes every few hours

Repair Install

I just did a repair install and am experiencing freezes since. I used step 4, using the downloaded .iso from Dell forums. Every few hours the computer will lock up. It's not a BSOD, just the last frame on the screen sticks and of course all functionality goes away (no mouse/keyboard, plugging in new USB devices doesn't register, etc). Speakers will make that infamous "buzzing sound" if audio was playing as it froze.

I had this problem in the past, as described here: Locking up computer - CPU Vcore experiencing massive fluctuation(33%)

I've re-installed all drivers, used CCleaner, and checked the UEFI to make sure all the previous settings went unchanged.
I've also reset the CPU to clock speeds and still experienced the same freezes.

Would a full format be suitable in this case? I've also created a backup image of the previously working setup using DriveImageXML. Another course of action would be restoring it, keeping in mind I'll need to re-install Windows somehow inevitably to fix the issues I had in the first place.

What is the best course of action here?

Thanks.

Is it common for new problems to pop up when doing a repair install? I was not experiencing this problem prior to it. I gravely fear I'll never figure out the driver combinations I used to stop this in the first place now =(. I'll try a clean reinstall and get back to you guys.

If this is still the Dell factory preinstall then often the Repair install can not sort all of the corruption in such an inferior install. That's why most tech enthusiasts prefer to get the superior Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7. Everything you need is in the blue link.

Okay, so far so good.

After re-installing I didn't do any updates or install any drivers, just let the computer sit for about 30 hours. No crashes.
I then installed all the updates and drivers and have let the computer sit for about 20 hours. Still no crashes.

I'll wait a few more hours then move on to the next step. Which bring me to my next question... which should I be installing first (if it matters)?
- Programs such as Firefox, Steam, LibreOffice, etc
- Extentions such as Rainmeter, QTTab, etc.

MarkC0 said:

Okay, so far so good.

After re-installing I didn't do any updates or install any drivers, just let the computer sit for about 30 hours. No crashes.
I then installed all the updates and drivers and have let the computer sit for about 20 hours. Still no crashes.

I'll wait a few more hours then move on to the next step. Which bring me to my next question... which should I be installing first (if it matters)?
- Programs such as Firefox, Steam, LibreOffice, etc
- Extentions such as Rainmeter, QTTab, etc.

Install any software one by one slowly so you are able to see if any software is causing system instability and it will be easier for you to identify the culprit without too much of a headache.

Also don't let many programs intall themselves as startup programs so your startup is not dramatically slowed down.

^ I almost forgot, shit! Thanks.

Okay so I will proceed to install Rainmeter and Rocketdock first and foremost. After that I'll move on to all the shell extentions, and then finally the programs and games.

If anythings sound wrong with that lemme know.

EDIT: Err, one question about backing up:
The solutions I'm using right now all backup the entire drive (all 120GB). Is there a way to backup just the used portion (~30GB)? Of course with the requirement that it can used to boot somehow. I have DriveImageXML and Euseus Backup to choose from + default Win backup, but I don't believe any offered full system backups without cloning the entire drive. I'd have to wait for my new HDD to arrive before I can clear out 120GB.