Driver causing computer to freeze...which driver? Windows 7

[vitaminn]

Hello,

I have a Sony Vaio that just recently started freezing at some random point for no apparent reason; no cursor movement, not keyboard input ... nothing.

I initially thought the freeze maybe caused by a failing HDD so I purchased and installed a SSD (the computer needed updating anyway.)

Along with the SSD, I put a fresh install of Windows 7 on the machine. The computer still froze randomly.

Next, I switched out one stick of ram at a time to see if either (the computer has two sticks) maybe causing the fault/freeze. Nothing...same random freezing.

Then, I noticed that if I move the computer, that's when everything freezes. I thought, "loose connection somewhere."

Lastly, I noticed that when I start in safe mode w/networking, the computer DOESN'T freeze!

This has led me to believe the freeze is being caused by a driver???... but, how do i determine WHICH driver is causing this? (i also have set the bios back to default..no fix)

Can anyone point me in the right direction?

Thanks...

 

[Arc]

Enable Driver Verifier to monitor the drivers.
Driver Verifier - Enable and Disable
Run Driver Verifier for 24 hours or the occurrence of the next crash, whichever is earlier.

   Information

Why Driver Verifier:
It puts a stress on the drivers, ans so it makes the unstable drivers crash. Hopefully the driver that crashes is recorded in the memory dump.

How Can we know that DV is enabled:
It will make the system bit of slow, laggy.

   Warning

Before enabling DV, make it sure that you have earlier System restore points made in your computer. You can check it easily by using CCleaner looking at Tools > System Restore.

If there is no points, make a System Restore Point manually before enabling DV.

   Tip

• If you fail to get on the Desktop because of DV, Boot into Advanced Boot Options > Safe mode. Disable DV there. Now boot normally again, and try following the instruction of enabling DV again.
• If you cannot boot in Safe mode too, do a System Restore to a point you made earlier.

Let us know the results, with the subsequent crash dumps, if any. Post it following the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) Posting Instructions.

 

[vitaminn]

Thanks for the ideas Arc.

Before jumping into the troubleshooting methods you suggested above, I looked at the device manager in and out of safe mode, they all appear to be functioning. (see image below)

It only freezes when not in save mode and computer is moved.

Do you still think a driver could be causing the freeze? Or, would it be a startup program?

 

[Arc]

Driver Verifier will be a good starting point, for sure.

 

[vitaminn]

update: still working on this. I can't get the machine to startup enough in normal mode to even run Driver Verifier....it simply freezes too quickly...now, without even moving it.

 

[vitaminn]

No joy. I can't even get this thing to boot normally without freezing...sometimes occurring the boot up or sometimes within 60 seconds after Windows desktop shows up.

Any suggestions or further troubleshooting I can accomplish from Safe Mode (it runs smoothing in Safe Mode w/ networking)?

Thanks.

 

[Arc]

If it works good in safe mode and not in normal mode, it is most possibly a driver.

Boot into safemode. Press Win+R simultaneously ... the Run dialog will appear. type

msconfig ​

And hit enter.

It will open the system configuration window, with the "general" tab selected.

• Click the "startup" tab. Click "Disable all" > Apply > OK.
• Click on "services" tab. Check the "Hide all Microsoft Services"; Click "Disable all" > Apply > OK

Then try to boot again normally. Is it failing still?

If so, use the onboard graphics and see how it works.

 

[vitaminn]

If it works good in safe mode and not in normal mode, it is most possibly a driver.

Boot into safemode. Press Win+R simultaneously ... the Run dialog will appear. type

msconfig ​

And hit enter.

It will open the system configuration window, with the "general" tab selected.

• Click the "startup" tab. Click "Disable all" > Apply > OK.
• Click on "services" tab. Check the "Hide all Microsoft Services"; Click "Disable all" > Apply > OK

Then try to boot again normally. Is it failing still?

If so, use the onboard graphics and see how it works.

I sure do appreciate the follow through Arc...thank you.

I followed your instructions and disabled all "startup" and "services" that weren't microsoft (there were only 3 because this is a fresh install of windows.)

It still freezes when not in safe mode.

I'm not sure what you mean by saying "use the onboard graphics", can you please expound?

 

[Arc]

When the computer works good in safe mode but crashes in normal mode, it is driver issue, as usually guessed.

But there are some device drivers like display driver. It does not work in safe mode. So if the issue is with the GPU, it will not be detected in this way.

Using onboard graphics is not any difficult. Unplug the display out (VGA/DVI ....) from the GPU's end and put it to the motherbosrd's slot.

 

[vitaminn]

Using onboard graphics is not any difficult. Unplug the display out (VGA/DVI ....) from the GPU's end and put it to the motherbosrd's slot.

I see. This is a laptop. I don't believe its possible to "unplug the display out and put it into the motherboards slot" ... is it?

I found the list of divers for it: Sony Vaio VGN-NW240F Drivers: Sony eSupport - VGN-NW240F - Support

 

[Arc]

Using onboard graphics is not any difficult. Unplug the display out (VGA/DVI ....) from the GPU's end and put it to the motherbosrd's slot.

I see. This is a laptop. I don't believe its possible to "unplug the display out and put it into the motherboards slot" ... is it?

I found the list of divers for it: Sony Vaio VGN-NW240F Drivers: Sony eSupport - VGN-NW240F - Support

As we havent got the dump data, we depended on th system specs, and it says it is a desktop PC :sarc:

 

[vitaminn]

I see the confusion. I have TWO computers. One is this VAIO in which I am having the freezing issue and the other is the 32bit Vista.

Changed the profile to reflect the machine at issue here.

Can a GPU just go bad?

 

[vitaminn]

update for anyone following this.

The computer would freeze almost immediately during or soon after booting...unless in Safe Mode; Starting in Safe Mode, the computer operates great.

Because of the freezing during boot, it got stuck in a loop of not even allowing me to startup in Safe Mode...I thought it was over.

In one last effort, I pulled the physical computer apart and tightened any screw I saw, pushed and prodded components, reset the ram, reset the CPU (processor) and applied new heat sync where appropriate. I put it back together with hope.

It started without being in Safe Mode! I ran Driver Verifier...it came back clean. I RE-installed some of the drivers...so far so good. But, and its a BIG BUT,

I moved the computer and it froze again! I noticed that if I jostle the computer, while not in of Safe Mode, it still freezes completely.

At present, I think its a loose connection or something physical simply because movement is causing the freeze. If I don't move the computer, it hums along fine...both Normal Boot and Safe Mode.

I think its time for the garbage. Anyone want a new SSD?

Thanks again ARC for your efforts.