Computer Hangs

rob7 · 13 Jan 2019

I dont want to say its a BSOD or the computer freezes because after a few minutes I can hold down CTRL ALT DEL and the computer goes back to normal. So anyways this happens randomly. Also after the hang I hear the re-inserting noise as if I just plugged in a new USB device(mouse/headset etc). A little history on my situation:

1st attempt:
I have a custom build computer. I recently got a MSI B85M-G43 mobo. I did a fresh install of win7. I updated chipset/installed LAN driver through MSI website for my mobo. Then let Win update run and install close to 200 updates/drivers etc. Everything was good but the computer would hang randomly for about 3 min. Whole screen would freeze couldnt move mouse and no activity could be done. After about 3 min I could spam CTRL ALT DELETE and the computer would revive. I would check event viewer but there was no error at the time of the hang. I ran chkdsk and mem diagnostic everything was fine. Then I decided to swap ram and try a new harddrive.

2nd attempt:
I replaced all 16 gb ram(4x4) with another known working 16gb(4x4) ram also replaced HD with new HD. Installed fresh copy of win 7 64. Installed chipset/lan driver from manufacturer website. Then let win update run again and install 200 updates. Then I flashed the updated bios from MSI successfully. I log into windows same problem happens. Computer hangs and after a few minutes you can spam CTR ALT DEL and it revives.

So at this point I believe I have ruled out ram/hd. So I run chkdsk/mem diagnostic/multiple passes on memtest86+/sfc /scannow. Everything checks out. I stress test my CPU/GPU with furmark. No issues again. I use driver verifier and I am BSODing but every BSOD is different. I believe I am only BSODing because of the nature of driver verifier because like I said during these random hangs I never BSOD. Please check it out. Thanks for the help.

rob7 · 13 Jan 2019

After reading a few other posts it looks like people are having similar problems and it may be related to a recent windows update. This gives me hope at least. Please review my situation and tell me what you think. Thank-you

johnhoh · 13 Jan 2019

I'm not aware of a recent windows update that would cause this, but its possible.

An imperfect electrical connection can cause your symptoms, usually its usb. Might be the port (female) or the device (male). Try using different usb ports. Also try a different usb keyboard/mouse if you have them.

Other than that, I would try using safe mode with networking for a bit to see if the symptoms change.

Also look at the right hand pane withing start>run>msinfo32>components>problem devices. It should be empty. If not, you have some hardware that is not correctly loading a driver, which can also cause your symptoms.

A hardware component that is failing internally (usually hard drive or usb device) can also emulate a poor electrical connection. The driver will appear to be loaded fine but windows is constantly struggling to detect the device due to the poor connection. The only way to know is to swap out your devices.

I'm a hardware guy so tend to see hardware solutions to problems like yours. Which doesn't help if your problem is software. just saying.

Megahertz07 · 13 Jan 2019

Did you checked device manager to see if there is any yellow alert of missing driver?

Open Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Power Options and check advanced settings to see if USB isn't turning off during sleep mode.

Did WU updated any driver? I had a computer that WU was "updating" to a sound driver that wasn't working. Check on installed updates.

DavisHill · 13 Jan 2019

I've seen a few issues about this as well, might have something to do with the latest update.

wither 2 · 13 Jan 2019

It appears you're using a VPN and, in the .dmp file, the drivers causing the problems all seem to be related directly or indirectly to its use. Maybe I'm misinterpreting the .dmp.

LavaLamps · 15 Jan 2019

By chance, are you running Malwarebytes on this system?

There is a problem with MBAM 3.6.1.2711 Component Package version 1.0.508

The above has been causing freezing and hanging on Windows 7 systems since early December 2018.

For whatever reason, MB has elected not to post an advisory...

wither 2 · 16 Jan 2019

Microsoft also has this KB- KB4487345 which addresses some of the network problems caused by the January updates. However, I have yet to see it in my Windows Updates.