Win 7 started freezing up - getting worse

[Harleydls]

I've been running windows 7 for several months with very little problems. I have a new system that I ran XP on for a few weeks and just decided to give 7 a whirl. Love it, but now after no problems for 2 months, it has started crashing at random. Sometimes it just freezes up. Other times, I get the debug message with loss of GUI. Always have to reboot and if it freezes, I have to power off/on. This is happening several times a day, sometimes at idle, sometimes under load. Never really push this machine. Am not a gamer, just surfing or doing a download or something is all.

Can't seem to get any clues from the event viewer as there is nothing I see leading up to the kernal power lost message.

I run Avast active scanner which they claim works on 7. Did a thorough scan with nothing found. Ran memtest86+ and it passed. I thought it might be heat related but I've got the room cooled way down and CPU is only at 50 degrees C.

Any advice on how to troubleshoot this would be appreciated.

 

[Antman]

You might want to see some of the testing done here:
http://www.sevenforums.com/general-...ows-7-64bit-ultimate-rtm-random-lock-ups.html

Could be related.

 

[chev65]

As more and more move to Win 7 we are seeing more and more of these random freeze up and crashing problems. It's obvious to me that Win7 requires a more stable system than both XP and Vista. I kinda saw this coming a long time ago.

I'm a bit surprized that nobody has thought of running one of the many stablity programs like Prime 95 before they do anything else. Memtest 86+ will miss many problems that the Windows version of Memtest will catch. I highly suggest using it first. MemTest for Windows Download Page

 

[Antman]

...I'm a bit surprized that nobody has thought of running one of the many stablity programs like Prime 95 before they do anything else...

That's what we have you for Chev65 - to pick up the slack. Good call.

 

[Harleydls]

As more and more move to Win 7 we are seeing more and more of these random freeze up and crashing problems. It's obvious to me that Win7 requires a more stable system than both XP and Vista. I kinda saw this coming a long time ago.

I'm a bit surprized that nobody has thought of running one of the many stablity programs like Prime 95 before they do anything else. Memtest 86+ will miss many problems that the Windows version of Memtest will catch. I highly suggest using it first. MemTest for Windows Download Page

Like I said, I'm not really pushing this machine at all. I did run the diagnostics included in Win 7. The memory test gave me an error so I removed one card at a time and reran it. They both checked ok so I put them both back in and reran the memory test several times with no faults. Perhaps it was a poor connection. I ran the Memtest 86+ as that is what Corsair recommended. It ran fine.

Since then, I updated the drivers for my video and sound. I also flashed a BIOS upgrade from MSI's site. No crashes since but I'm not holding my breath.

Can you tell me more about the Prime 95? What does it do? Is there a 7 version?

 

[chev65]

Like I said, I'm not really pushing this machine at all. I did run the diagnostics included in Win 7. The memory test gave me an error so I removed one card at a time and reran it. They both checked ok so I put them both back in and reran the memory test several times with no faults. Perhaps it was a poor connection. I ran the Memtest 86+ as that is what Corsair recommended. It ran fine.

Since then, I updated the drivers for my video and sound. I also flashed a BIOS upgrade from MSI's site. No crashes since but I'm not holding my breath.

Can you tell me more about the Prime 95? What does it do? Is there a 7 version?

Prime95 is a stablity testing program that helps people who are overclocking get their systems stable. It can also be used to test a system for overall stablity even if it's not being overclocked. If it fails a test or crashes you have a stablity problem and adjustments will need to be made.

There are two versions one for 64 bit Op system and another one for 32 bit systems. You can get them both here. Free Software - GIMPS

I have also written a guide on how to use Prime95 to help people get overclocked systems stable but if you aren't overclocking you wouldn't understand it.

 

[chev65]

That's what we have you for Chev65 - to pick up the slack. Good call.

LOL Antman I meant the ones asking the questions with the stablity problems, but I think you knew that. Thanks for the rep

 

[Harleydls]

The problem seems to be cured. If you are having random crashes or BSODs, before doing anything else, make sure you have the latest BIOS flashed from your mobo manufacturer. Also, make sure you have the latest drivers installed, particularly for the video card and audio. Worked for me, maybe it will work for you, too.

Thanks for all the advice herein.

 

[gamepro127]

I've been running windows 7 for several months with very little problems. I have a new system that I ran XP on for a few weeks and just decided to give 7 a whirl. Love it, but now after no problems for 2 months, it has started crashing at random. Sometimes it just freezes up. Other times, I get the debug message with loss of GUI. Always have to reboot and if it freezes, I have to power off/on. This is happening several times a day, sometimes at idle, sometimes under load. Never really push this machine. Am not a gamer, just surfing or doing a download or something is all.

Can't seem to get any clues from the event viewer as there is nothing I see leading up to the kernal power lost message.

I run Avast active scanner which they claim works on 7. Did a thorough scan with nothing found. Ran memtest86+ and it passed. I thought it might be heat related but I've got the room cooled way down and CPU is only at 50 degrees C.

Any advice on how to troubleshoot this would be appreciated.

Do a scan with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware.
Probably just a virus, avast! Isent really good and can still let in trojans/viruses here and there (Anti-Spyware built in?...Pff. Sucks)
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware - Reviews and free Malwarebytes Anti-Malware downloads at Download.com

IF it does find something, remove it and do ANOTHER scan with SUPERantispyware.
SuperAntiSpyware Free Edition - Free software downloads and software reviews - CNET Download.com

Both are free, and WILL remove what they find!
Hope that helps!