Computer freezes only when loading something

[boateye]

Hello forum,

I built this desktop about a month ago with these components (with links to the specs):

Case:Cooler Master HAF 932(delivers excellent cooling built right in)
CPU: Intel Core i7-930 @ 2.88Ghz (i overclocked to 3.8Ghz and is stable)
CPU cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212
GPU: ATI Sapphire Radeon 5850 (slightly OC'ed to max in Catalyst and is stable)
HDD: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 7200RPM
Mobo: EVGA X58 FTW3
RAM: Corsair XMS 3 4GB (recently upgraded to 6GB Corsair Dominators)
PSU: Cooler Master Silent Pro 850W


This thing runs amazingly well, except for one problem: it will freeze whenever it is loading something.

For example: If i am running a game with my internet browser in the background(I use Google Chrome)and I alt+tab between them. Eventually, my computer will freeze but only when switching from Chrome to the game. Not when switching from the game to Chrome

My computer will also freeze when I'm watching a streaming video Say, YouTube.com or Gametrailers.com. If my computer successfully pre-loads the video, it won't freeze. It will only freeze before the video is fully pre-loaded, if it does decide to freeze at all.

What i mean by "freeze" is that the computer becomes 100% non responsive. Whatever was on the screen at that moment is stuck there. There is no BSOD (Blue Screen of Death). Mouse and Keyboard are non-responsive. Ctrl + alt + del does nothing, too. However, the fans are all still running, and the power light is on. There is no HDD activity, from what i can see and hear, so it is presumably safe to do the hard resets I've been doing.

My computer never freezes if it is idle.

I've run all my components at stock settings but the problem still persists.

I've also tried running only Microsoft processes, and my antivirus software (Avast!), but that didn't fix the problem.

I'm very sure it is not a RAM issue, because this problem persisted even when i had the 4gb of XMS3s.

Please help! This is my Dream Machine, and this semi-minor issue is the only thing that's wrong with it!

 

[josef613]

I hate to say it, but you may want to back off the overclock on your processor, cause it kind of sounds like a stability issue to me.

 

[boateye]

I hate to say it, but you may want to back off the overclock on your processor, cause it kind of sounds like a stability issue to me.

I have replicated the problem well before i did the OC on my CPU. That's when first started getting the problem in the first place!

 

[josef613]

Ok then, it was just a thought.

 

[boateye]

Oh I didn't mean to sound frustrated. I meant no harm.

 

[josef613]

It's ok, I wasn't offended, I was just basically saying that what I mentioned earlier was just a thought because in your original post you had your system specs and I didn't know you tried it when it was set back to stock.
I personally don't know what to tell you as that was what I thought it might be. Have you looked at exactly what processes are running when this happens? You can try process explorer from Microsoft and see if you can find what process eats your memory and CPU the most before the lock-up.
I know it might not be possible to find the exact process from this method, as it locks up, but again, just another thought.

 

[josef613]

Have you tried running Process Explorer yet?

 

[boateye]

No I have not. I did have this program on another computer, but I am unsure how to use it. What do you suggest I do with it?

 

[josef613]

Well, while running Chrome, open it and see how much cpu it uses. Then while only running the game, do the same. Then, if you can, run them both at once and see how it is.

 

[boateye]

OK I shall try that.


It seems that the game i can recreate teh freezing with most consistently (Heroes of Newerth) uses about 15-20% of my CPU while Chrome uses about 1% maximum if it ever goes above .7% even when streaming video (which is one situation where I freeze)

Now that I think about it, The only times that i can remember or consistently recreate this problem are those that involve heavy online traffic, too. Streaming a YouTube video, loading a level in an online multiplayer game, or when alt + tabbing back into an online game.

I don't think this computer ever crashed when i was playing an offline game, or just working offline in general.

 

[josef613]

That doesn't make much sense that your internet would cause your system to freeze.
You say that when you are doing offline games, it doesn't have this problem? Do you stream video while you are gaming?

 

[boateye]

No I don't it will just freeze if its LOADING a streaming video. Once the video load fully, it wont freeze.

 

[josef613]

Hmm, that is very odd. Can you check how much memory is being used when you try to stream a video? I know it might freeze, but if you can try, that might help to figure the problem out.

 

[derkesthai]

Sounds familiar! I have a similar issue.. my computer freezes when I have a browser (either FF or IE or Chrome...) open.. if I don't browse, no freezes at all! I haven't tried switching from a game to browser, but I can imagine it will happen then, too. Does your computer also freeze (or reboot) when you leave it idle WITH some browser windows open?

 

[boateye]

Sounds familiar! I have a similar issue.. my computer freezes when I have a browser (either FF or IE or Chrome...) open.. if I don't browse, no freezes at all! I haven't tried switching from a game to browser, but I can imagine it will happen then, too. Does your computer also freeze (or reboot) when you leave it idle WITH some browser windows open?

Actually, no. On every computer I've owned, if I leave it idle with no windows open, it will freeze for a time proportional to how long it was idle. I think roughly 1 minute for every hour idle or something. However, it's a kind of freeze where I can move the cursor, but the taskbar doesn't slide up nor do any desktop icons respond for a while. Then after a moment, everything will catch up.

 

[AuraofMana]

I have this problem too (computer freeze with last screen). I notice this when I alt-tab and sometimes in game. I already ran Memtest, Prime95, and CPU Stability Test, so I am pretty sure it's not the CPU or RAM.

 

[Capt.Jack Sparrow]

I have this problem too (computer freeze with last screen). I notice this when I alt-tab and sometimes in game. I already ran Memtest, Prime95, and CPU Stability Test, so I am pretty sure it's not the CPU or RAM.

Hello and Welcome !

Please create a new thread with your issue so we should be able to assist you better.

Thanks,
Captain