New Win7 64bit Install unresponsive at times

[BostonDriver]

Hi,

Brand new Win7 (64bit) installation from Retail Upgrade DVD on a Dell Precision 690 Workstation. 2x3Ghz Xeon, 12GB RAM, 1TB SATA. Upgrade from XP, reformatted the disk via custom install.

System quick at first, then just "takes a vacation". Decides to come back, then off again. On vacation, nothing is responded to. Ctrl-Alt-Del does get me to menu where I could e.g. change password, start task manager etc. But at that menu, all input is ignored, at least initially. Some (LONG) time later, I'll find a bunch of task manager windows running on the system.

What gives? Should I just let it sit for a while (how long?)

This same machine flew with XPSP3 (32bit) just a few days ago. Unix (64bit and 32bit) flies on this system. HW shaken down rather well.

Thanks!

 

[gregrocker]

Try installing your chipset drivers.

Use Vista 64 bit from here: http://support.dell.com/support/dow...E+PRECISION+690&hidos=WW1&hidlang=en&TabIndex=

 

[BostonDriver]

Try installing your chipset drivers.

Thanks for the suggestion.... if you didn't mention using the Vista drivers I wouldn't have even considered trying them.

Now if the machine would respond long enough to kick off the install :sarc:

 

[surfasb]

Sounds like a driver conflict...

 

[BostonDriver]

I've updated all drivers which applied from the Dell site. Specifically the Broadcom NIC, chip drivers and audio. Others didn't apply (e.g. modem.) Things are better, but "not right", still slower than 32bit XPSP3 on the same HW (swap SATA disks, I can compare the two.) I also updated the NVidia display drivers to the Win7 64bit from their website. They were dated Jan 2010, so are new.

Surfasb, if it is a driver conflict, how do I track it down? Note, from day one, system is "s l o w", uninstalling things etc. takes a lot of time as a result.

Symptoms... system just doesn't respond.... ctrl-alt-del sometimes gets it's attention, others, I can log out then log back in, sometimes power cord is needed.

 

[BostonDriver]

If this helps.... I just tried to change the theme.... system wouldn't respond to anything except the power off button. ctrl-alt-del didn't do anything.

 

[gregrocker]

Check if there is a BIOS update for your model computer or mobo.

What is the SATA controller setting in BIOS?

I would def run a http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3413-repair-install.html?ltr=R.

If this doesn't improve things, I'd clean reinstall after zeroing the HD. See how it runs with drivers given by the installer and Windows Updates before adding any.

 

[BostonDriver]

Check if there is a BIOS update for your model computer or mobo.

I'm running the latest, A08

I would def run a http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3413-repair-install.html?ltr=R.

If this doesn't improve things, I'd clean reinstall after zeroing the HD. See how it runs with drivers given by the installer and Windows Updates before adding any.

I started with a fresh install, reformatted the brand new SATA disk. Only went to Vista drivers based on your initial suggestion, in reply to my first post in this thread. I went to NVidia drivers to see if they would help.

Would clean install change anything?

What is the SATA controller setting in BIOS?

I'm not in front of the machine, will check. Same settings for XP SP3 (FreeBSD and Fedora too) work just fine.

 

[gregrocker]

If you hadn't changed out any drivers after initial install while the prob persisted, then that likely wasn't the prob.

Was using the maker's chipset any different?

I'd still try a Repair Install to refresh OS files.

Have you studied the Event Viewer>Admin View to see any recurrent probs with devices or drivers?

I'd also generate a System Health Report and also study the DIagnostics Performance log at Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Performance Information and Tools\Advanced Tools to research recurring errors

 

[BostonDriver]

If you hadn't changed out any drivers after initial install while the prob persisted, then that likely wasn't the prob.

Was using the maker's chipset any different?

Not really.... possibly a bit better.

I've tried the event viewer, nothing in there except where I e.g. shut the machine down abnormally. Running this "hangs", but ctrl-alt-del instantly gets me to the menu where I can lock the machine, start task mgr etc. starting task manager takes too long. Locking is instant. Unlock then gets me back to a responsive system.

I'd still try a Repair Install to refresh OS files.

I'll do this eventually, might even start over too. This is a new disk soley for the purpose of getting Win 7 setup and kicking the tires. Prefer 64bit version.

Might slap in the XP SP3 disk, boot and run Windows Advisor just to see the results.

Have you studied the Event Viewer>Admin View to see any recurrent probs with devices or drivers?

I'd also generate a System Health Report and also study the DIagnostics Performance log at Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Performance Information and Tools\Advanced Tools to research recurring errors

Doing this now.

 

[gregrocker]

What I would do is shrink your 64 bit in Disk Mgmt, install 32 bit on a separate partition just to compare.

I'll bet these probs will disappear in 32 bit.

You can even add XP to a third partition to run the Upgrade Advisor and compare that. This is the kind of testing a lot of us did during beta.

 

[BostonDriver]

What I would do is shrink your 64 bit in Disk Mgmt, install 32 bit on a separate partition just to compare.

I'll bet these probs will disappear in 32 bit.

You can even add XP to a third partition to run the Upgrade Advisor and compare that. This is the kind of testing a lot of us did during beta.

I'm sure of it, same system XP SP3 flies! But the point of that system is for > 4GB RAM.

I can open the chassis and just slap in another disk fairly quickly, they all slide in on rails. BIOS also lets me tell system which is "C" drive regardless of what is plugged into SATA0, SATA1, SATA2 etc.

New data however.....

Using what you suggested, I noticed that only 8GB RAM was reported. I have 12GB. I shutdown, opened up and removed 4GB. The 4 I selected were based on memory, when I first installed the purchased RAM ~6 months ago. One time "issue" where BIOS complained..... I reseated and never saw it again. Booting Unix 64bit systems didn't complain, see issues either.

Removed this memory, booted again, MUCH BETTER. Not perfect, but much better. I was able to get a "rating" for the first time with this machine. Other than graphics, all high marks.

Only twice did I have to ctrl-alt-del to "lock", then "unlock" to get system back.

One performance event to note:

Log Name:      Microsoft-Windows-Diagnostics-Performance/Operational
Source:        Microsoft-Windows-Diagnostics-Performance
Date:          2/1/2010 8:24:24 PM
Event ID:      500
Task Category: Desktop Window Manager Monitoring
Level:         Warning
Keywords:      Event Log
User:          LOCAL SERVICE
Computer:      P690
Description:
The Desktop Window Manager is experiencing heavy resource contention. 
     Scenario    :    The Desktop Window Manager responsiveness has degraded.
Event Xml:
<Event xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/win/2004/08/events/event">
  <System>
    <Provider Name="Microsoft-Windows-Diagnostics-Performance" Guid="{CFC18EC0-96B1-4EBA-961B-622CAEE05B0A}" />
    <EventID>500</EventID>
    <Version>1</Version>
    <Level>3</Level>
    <Task>4006</Task>
    <Opcode>39</Opcode>
    <Keywords>0x8000000000010000</Keywords>
    <TimeCreated SystemTime="2010-02-02T01:24:24.340873200Z" />
    <EventRecordID>55</EventRecordID>
    <Correlation ActivityID="{00000100-0000-0001-6746-C17AA3A3CA01}" />
    <Execution ProcessID="1320" ThreadID="3492" />
    <Channel>Microsoft-Windows-Diagnostics-Performance/Operational</Channel>
    <Computer>P690</Computer>
    <Security UserID="S-1-5-19" />
  </System>
  <EventData>
    <Data Name="DisplayDeviceFriendlyNameLength">27</Data>
    <Data Name="DisplayDeviceFriendlyName">NVIDIA Quadro FX 3400/4400</Data>
    <Data Name="MemoryBandwidth">1807650</Data>
    <Data Name="MemorySize">501342208</Data>
    <Data Name="Scenario">3</Data>
  </EventData>
</Event>

 

[gregrocker]

I would stress test the memory overnight with memtest86. Isolate bad RAM and replace.

Do you have the latest drivers for video card? Check Windows Updates or card maker's Support Downloads webpage for your model.

Check for bad blocks on HD, run ChkDsk and maker's HD diagnostics.

 

[BostonDriver]

I would stress test the memory overnight with memtest86. Isolate bad RAM and replace.

Do you have the latest drivers for video card? Check Windows Updates or card maker's Support Downloads webpage for your model.

Check for bad blocks on HD, run ChkDsk and maker's HD diagnostics.

Done all this. Also did a repair install.... still the fundamental issue. c-a-d needed to get the system to "finish" something.

I'm about to try a fresh install, reformatting yet again. It is a PITA, as I have the upgrade version of Win7 (to save $100).

FWIW, I'm taking a SWAG and thinking its the video driver. nVidia Quadro FX 3400, with the (latest?) drivers from Feb of 2010 (64 bit drivers) Screen is just black, until I move a pop-up window, then I see the desktop background. Don't know what to do about it though.

If time permits, and Win7 doesn't make it too painful, I'll install the 32bit version on the same HW just to see... new 1TB disk en route.

For kicks, 64bit Fedora on this exact system (just swap 1TB SATA disk0) flies. No video (or other) issues. 64bit FreeBSD next.

 

[gregrocker]

Try any other video drivers, including Vista or beta. Try installing video drivers in compatibility mode (rightclick Properties).

You can clean reinstall using an upgrade version, no problem. DVD will scan the HD upon bootup, see prior OS which is all that is needed to pass flag to accept upgrade version key.

 

[BostonDriver]

Try any other video drivers, including Vista or beta. Try installing video drivers in compatibility mode (rightclick Properties).

This might help, well, at least help me not waste any more time.

http://www.sevenforums.com/crashes-debugging/45415-windows-7-freezes-possible-fix.html

Still digesting what I read, but my first pass through reading it seems consistant with the pain I've been through. The driver I DL'ed from the vendor did say FX 3400 and did say Windows 7.

Of course, I'll try this first, JUST released today:


NVIDIA DRIVERS 196.75 WHQL

Quadro Driver Release 196





Version:

196.75 WHQL

Release Date:

2010.03.02

Operating System:

Windows 7 64-bit, Windows Vista 64-bit

Language:

English (U.S.)

File Size:

103 MB

 

[theog]

Take a look at these posts also:

http://www.sevenforums.com/installation-setup/34853-common-installation-problems.html

http://www.sevenforums.com/installa...l-quick-reference-list-installing-windows-7-a.

 

[BostonDriver]

Of course, I'll try this first, JUST released today:


NVIDIA DRIVERS 196.75 WHQL

Quadro Driver Release 196


Version:

196.75 WHQL

Release Date:

2010.03.02

Operating System:

Windows 7 64-bit, Windows Vista 64-bit

These have made a HUGE difference. Things are usable. I still need to ctrl-alt-del and "lock" computer, then unlock every few minutes. But before it was every 60 seconds or so.

The screen is still "black" where the desktop background should be at times... but things are improving.

IE is 100% useless right now. It will hang everything. Firefox is just fine.


Can start to "kick the tires".... will see what I can continue to use.

Thanks for the help to date.

 

[BostonDriver]

I'll bet these probs will disappear in 32 bit.

Yup.

I still have the 64 bit install on a disk which I removed from the system.

I plugged in a new 1TB SATA as the only device, installed 32bit version of Win7 on the exact same HW. No issues of note. System still doesn't seem as fast as XPSP3 on the same machine (again, via a different disk.) But orders of magnitude better than 64bit version. Drivers are 64bit versions of of course, as is Win7 itself.

Same HW, all 1TB SATA the same model.

I'm going to stay with 32bit version until I get to know the system a bit better.

 

[gregrocker]

Check msconfig to make sure nothing is checked except AV and gadgets/sticky notes if u use em. By cutting out all freeloaders not needed until you start them you gain back a lot of speed.

Win7 should be instantaneous and if it is not, then troubleshoot Event Viewer, Diagnostics Performance log, Generate A System Health Report, Memory Test, HD Diagnostics until you find out why.