Compaq SG3207LA freezes during W7 installation

Hi everyone,
I am trying to install Windows 7 Home Premium in a Compaq SG3207LA but I've run into the following issue: During the installation process, the computer freezes at random intervals, which makes me have to restart it by force. I was finally able to complete the installation and then it froze again while I was installing some application software (on normal mode).
At first I thought that the power supply could be causing this issue. I checked it and measured its voltage levels and they're OK. Then I tested the hard drive using a couple of bult-in stress tests from a LiveCD (booting from it), and they completed without any errors.
I then started Windows in safe mode and it doesn't freeze at all. I ran again other stress tests and again, they completed successfully.
I was thinking that maybe one of two options could be the root cause of this issue:
1) The SATA controller in the motherboard - but in this case, the stress tests would show some sort of error, or it would freeze in safe mode as well, wouldn't it? I haven't yet tested with an IDE hard drive because I don't have one.
2) Some device in normal mode could be using an IRQ that is being used by some other device - this would explain -in my humble opinion- why it doesn't freeze en safe mode while it does in normal mode. But I don't know how to find out which device since this computer doesn't have anything added to it - just the onboard hardware from factory.
And before I forget, I tried with 2 different installation DVDs, so I don't think this can be caused by a failed media.
Any suggestions will be more than welcome. Thanks in advance.

ICit2lol said:

Hello and welcome gacanepa I am no expert and this might sound a little simplistic have you tried reseating the RAM sticks and SATA cables etc yet?

Out of curiosity how old is the machine maybe the optical drive is needing replacement.

Thank you SO very much for taking the time to answer my question. I forgot to say that I also tried taking out and inserting again the RAM module, to no effect - the same issue happens.

For some reason I never thought about the SATA cable. It's a good idea, but I'm still wondering if there is any chance that the SATA cable could be faulty since in safe mode the computer works like a charm.

The PC is about 4 years old and doesn't really have much use. The client uses it 3 hours a day, tops.

I will try with a different SATA cable. If you think of anything else, I'd greatly appreciate it.

Thanks again.

Random freezes are almost always the psu. Even though it seemingly checked okay, it still could be randomly fluctuating to undervoltage.

The second choice is a bad block on the ram stick.

This machine was built to sell in South America, circa 2007, and is bare bones. Came with 1g of ram and a 230w psu. I would do three things. Replace the psu with brand new (300-350w range). Do not buy anything under $45-50. If possible, get an 80+ bronze.

Then, with the help of another pc, download and burn to disc the Memtest iso. Its self booting, so hit the hot key upon boot that gives you boot options. If that's not possible, go into BIOS and put the DVD drive first in boot order. Run Memtest overnight to rule out the ram being an issue. A blank bottom of screen means error free.

Third thing. You need to add more ram. W7 will run with 1g, but its not great. Ram is cheap these days. That pc can accept 4g.

Good luck!

pscowboy said:

Random freezes are almost always the psu. Even though it seemingly checked okay, it still could be randomly fluctuating to undervoltage.

The second choice is a bad block on the ram stick.

This machine was built to sell in South America, circa 2007, and is bare bones. Came with 1g of ram and a 230w psu. I would do three things. Replace the psu with brand new (300-350w range). Do not buy anything under $45-50. If possible, get an 80+ bronze.

Then, with the help of another pc, download and burn to disc the Memtest iso. Its self booting, so hit the hot key upon boot that gives you boot options. If that's not possible, go into BIOS and put the DVD drive first in boot order. Run Memtest overnight to rule out the ram being an issue. A blank bottom of screen means error free.

Third thing. You need to add more ram. W7 will run with 1g, but its not great. Ram is cheap these days. That pc can accept 4g.

Good luck!

Thank you! I will try all the options that you have just shared. I already have MemTest included in a latest edition of Hirens Boot CD, so I'll test it tonight.

I'll let you guys know what happens tomorrow, tops :).

If the psu is indeed funky, it WILL affect the memory test. Deal with the power supply first.