Solved Computer locks/freezes up when not in use after a memory upgrade,

[IcanCwhatUsay]

Hi, I'm not sure where else to go but if you have a forum that you think would be able to answer this better, please redirect me.

My computer is about 2-3 years old. I tend to take good care of it but I'm having a locking up issue.

Problem: I use my computer mostly for Solidworks and some pretty heavy games. It typically does not freeze while in use. However, some times when it is not in use, it freezes and automatically resets itself.
Other times, I'll be doing some light work and it will freeze like it was 1995, mouse wont move, audio stuck on repeat, and the only option I have, is to do a hard restart.

Confusing parts: When the computer boots back up, I cannot hit enter or anything to get the computer to select "Start windows in normal mode" as opposed to safe mode. The only keyboard I can get to work with that is my Logitech rubber dome keyboard. My mech keyboards don't register. Even my wired Logitech keyboard G510s doesn't register. ONLY my cheapy one (I'll see if I can find you a model number if you need it) . Even more confusing is that my wired mouse won't respond either. The only peripherals that do respond use wireless (not all from one brand, the only commonality is that they're all wireless and work in the bios screens)

Going further down the rabbit hole: When I removed 2 of the 4 memory sticks upon my last boot up. My mech keyboard was recognized in the bios and I was able to select "start windows in normal mode." I don't know if this was coincidence or what but it worked for the first time since installing the 16gb of memory over my original 8. - this as since been chalked up to coincidence as I can no longer select using my Mech keyboard.

Specs :
**Motherboard** : ASUS P8Z77-V LE Intel 7 Series Motherboard - ATX, Socket H2 (LGA1155), Intel Z77 Express, 2400MHz DDR3 (O.C.), SATA III (6Gb/s), RAID, 8-CH Audio, Gigabit LAN, USB 3.0, PCIe 3.0, CrossFireX ReadyMPN: P8Z77-V LE

**CPU**:[ Intel Core i7-3770K Quad-Core Processor 3.5 GHz 8 MB Cache LGA 1155 - BX80637I73770K](Amazon.com: Intel Core i7-3770K Quad-Core Processor 3.5 GHz 8 MB Cache LGA 1155 - BX80637I73770K: Computers & Accessories)

**Memory** :[ Corsair XMS3 DDR3 4 pc of 4gb/e](XMS3 — 4GB (1x4GB) DDR3 1333MHz C9 Memory Kit (CMX4GX3M1A1333C9))

**hard drives** : 3; 2 hdd and 1 ssd

**Disk drive :** 1 Bluray not really used ever

**power supply :** (New when I installed more memory) [Corsair CX750m 750W](CX Series™ Modular CX750M ATX Power Supply — 750 Watt 80 PLUS® Bronze Certified Modular PSU)

Solutions I've tried without luck:
* installing different memory cards into different slots (shuffling them etc)
* New power supply, last one was 500W this one is 750W
* disconnecting one of the hdds
* removing 2 memory cards to bring me back to 8. This has shown some (though very little) promise but doesn't make sense to me. I mean I don't remove the same 2 cards each time, and I don't remove them from the same 2 slots each time ( I have 4 slots and I use every other slot per Motherboard User manual suggests) In short, I've tried all 4 of my memory sticks in sets of 2 in every combination I could think of and the situation doesn't seem to improve.

Last couple of notes: I'm always 100% ESD safe. I use ESD tools and grounding anytime I work on my computer. I typically know what to do and what not to do when it comes to my computer (even though this one has me stumped) and even though the 8gb memory might work, I need 16 to do my work on it. Also, the computer does recognize I have 16GB of memory in when they're all in.
My best guess is that I had a bad memory slot on my board but I have no way of verifying that.

Please help!

Oh and feel free to ask any questions that I may not have already answered.

 

[torchwood]

If you think its your memory slots just use 1 stick, try the 4 slots one at a time.

Also see your OCing reset to default see if it still happens...

Roy

 

[IcanCwhatUsay]

If you think its your memory slots just use 1 stick, try the 4 slots one at a time.

Also see your OCing reset to default see if it still happens...

Roy

Tried using the single memory slot at a time. No change.

as far as OCing goes, I've never used any of that so it's always been at default.

 

[IcanCwhatUsay]

So. I was able to find the issue:

Not that you guys helped at all.

Ran the WINDOWS Memory checker program (which I didn't know existed) that comes with windows. It said I had a bad memory stick in slot 3.

I replaced the stick, haven't had the issue in weeks. Thanks for nothing guys.