Please help! computer randomly freezing, no error message

[tatertot74121]

My computer has been running fine for about a year, I have reinstalled windows 3 or 4 times and I haven't had any major problems. During this last re-installation I formatted my hard drive to get all my space back, I'm not sure why but since I formatted my hard drive windows randomly freezes and It isn't during any specific program so I don't know what could be causing it. please help.

system specs: OS Name Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium
Version 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1 Build 7601
Other OS Description Not Available
OS Manufacturer Microsoft Corporation
System Name DOE-PC
System Manufacturer BIOSTAR Group
System Model H61MH
System Type x64-based PC
Processor Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-2120 CPU @ 3.30GHz, 3300 Mhz, 2 Core(s), 4 Logical Processor(s)
BIOS Version/Date American Megatrends Inc. 4.6.4, 2/18/2011
SMBIOS Version 2.7
Windows Directory C:\Windows
System Directory C:\Windows\system32
Boot Device \Device\HarddiskVolume1
Locale United States
Hardware Abstraction Layer Version = "6.1.7601.17514"
User Name Doe-pc\Ryan
Time Zone Eastern Daylight Time
Installed Physical Memory (RAM) 8.00 GB
Total Physical Memory 7.98 GB
Available Physical Memory 5.87 GB
Total Virtual Memory 16.0 GB
Available Virtual Memory 13.8 GB
Page File Space 7.98 GB
Page File C:\pagefile.sys

 

[karlsnooks]

Tatertot,

Welcome to SevenForums.

So that your SystemSpecs travel with your posts and are always available, would you please carry out the following:

Update your SevenForums System Specs
User CP (located on the top menu bar) |
Your Profile | Edit System Spec (left-hand column)

To gather info, use Speccy (my favorite) or SIW or System Info

In the System Manufacturer Block, enter:
Manufacturer and Model and
ADD the word laptop, desktop, netbook or tablet.
For example:
Toshiba Satellite L305D notebook.

Provide full windows version info, for example:
MS Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 64-bit

Use the “Other Info” block for Optical Reader,
Mouse, touchpad, wifi adapter, speakers, monitor, etc

Scroll down and click on SAVE CHANGES.

You will find that in Speccy, you can select info from the display
using your mouse/touchpad and then paste that info into your specs.

SIW is a marvelous program, but the free version does not offer
this capability.

====================================================
====================================================

Next time when your computer freezes, if possible:
CTRL + ESC keycombo | type RESMON | ENTER key
Is there an item in red?
If yes, right-click on same and choose "Analyze wait chain".
Work your way down the chain, note the name, and also choose end process.

If still hung, then repeat.

=============================================

Install SPECCY, link in my signature and use same to keep an eye on your temps.

=======================================
=======================================
Attach to your next post, the startup.txt file which the included script places on your desktop.

# **********************INSTRUCTIONS**************************
# STEP 1 ** RUN POWERSHELL AS ADMINISTRATOR ******************
# ************************************************************
#
# WIN key | type POWERSHELL | do NOT hit ENTER |
# in the PROGRAMS list, right-click on WINDOWS POWERSHELL |
# choose "Run as administrator" |
# Click on the YES button (if such appears)
#
# WIN key = key with Microsoft log on top
#
# for the guru:
# WIN | type POWERSHELL | CTRL+SHIFT+ENTER key combo | ALT+Y keycombo
# ************************************************************
# STEP 2 ** COPY AND PASTE ***********************************
# ************************************************************
#
# COPY the script using CTRL+C,
# COPY every line of script down thru both EXIT statements
#
# PASTE into Powershell
#----Right-Click at the PowerShell Prompt
#----(Ctrl+V does not work)
#
# Start copying with first script line without a # at start of the line
# Note: Actually, you can paste the entire file if you rather
#-------Lines starting with a # are ignored by PowerShell
# ************************************************************
# STEP 3 ** SCRIPT OUTPUT & SCRIPT PURPOSE *******************
# ************************************************************
# --The script output and purpose is given at the very front of the script
#
# --The script output and purpose is given at the very front of the script
#
# ************************************************************
# ***************** NOTE - POWERSHELL VERSION*****************
# if you receive this error msg:
#--The system can not find the path specified
# you may need to update your PowerShell
# you must be using Powershell 2.0 or later.
#
# To determine your Powershell version:
#---Run PowerShell
#---enter $host.version
#---you should see at least:
# Major Minor Build Revision
# ----- ----- ----- --------
# 2......0......-1.....-1
#
# If you do not see the above, update your Vista/Win 7.
# ************************************************************
# *************** NOTE - EXECUTION POLICY*********************
# If you haven't set the execution policy, you may need to:
#---Run PowerShell
#---enter SET-EXECUTIONPOLICY -EXECUTIONPOLICY REMOTESIGNED
# ************************************************************

# ******************************************************************
# List of Start Up programs, Installed Programs, and Scheduled Tasks
#
# Puts StartPgms.TXT on your Desktop
# ******************************************************************

$b = gp HKLM:\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run | FL *
$c = gp HKCU:\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run | fl *
$d = gp HKLM:\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\* |
Select DisplayName, DisplayVersion, Publisher, InstallDate | 
where {($_.Publisher -ne "Microsoft") -AND ($_.Publisher -ne "Microsoft Corporation")} | sort DisplayName | ft -auto -wrap
$q = schtasks.exe /query /V /FO CSV | ConvertFrom-Csv
$r = $q | where {(($_.taskname) | split-path ) -eq "\"} | select taskname, "Scheduled Task State", "Task To Run" |
sort -property @{Expression="Scheduled Task State";Descending=$true}, @{Expression="taskname";Descending=$false}
for ($i= 0; $i -lt $r.count; $i++) {
$r[$i]."Task To Run"  = Split-path $r[$i]."Task To Run";
$w = ($r[$i].taskname).substring(1)
$r[$i].taskname = $w
}
$s = $r | select taskname, "Scheduled Task State" | ft -auto 
$t = $r | select "Task To Run" | ft
$b + $c + $d + $s + $t > $env:userprofile\desktop\StartPgms.TXT

EXIT
EXIT

 

[tatertot74121]

Ok I did all that

I attached the startup.txt like you said and it hasn't frozen again yet so I can't tell you if that ctrl esc combo that you told me to try works yet.

 

[karlsnooks]

WIN | type MSCONFIG | ENTER | STARTUP tab |
Uncheck ALL except for:

IntelliPoint : "c:\Program Files\Microsoft IntelliPoint\ipoint.exe"
Google Update : "C:\Users\Ryan\AppData\Local\Google\Update\GoogleUpdate.exe" /c

REBOOT!

You have just told Win 7 to not run unchecked programs at start up time.

You have not disabled the programs. They will be run when needed.

WIN = key with the Microsoft logo on top

 

[karlsnooks]

TaterTot,
You computer is just waiting to be infected!

Immediately install the very best: Microsoft Security Essentials, MSE.

Link to MSE is in my signature.

 

[tatertot74121]

Ok well I unchecked everything and installed MSE, but my computer just froze again, I tried the ctrl esc combo but nothing happened and to shut my computer off I can't click the restart button on my tower I have to push the power button otherwise it doesn't work (the restart button usually works fine)

 

[karlsnooks]

TaterTot,
Since you've been surfing the Internet naked so to speak, then the following is going to be necessary to rule out some possibilities:

HOW TO USE WINDOWS DEFENDER OFFLINE ON A USB STICK
Windows Defender Offline
· is a free standalone, bootable malware and virus remover from Microsoft.
· performs an offline scan of an infected PC to remove viruses, rootkits and other advanced malware.

Download Windows Defender Offline (about 764 kB)

You will have the choice of downloading the 32bit version (x86) or the 64 bit version (x64).
The link will help you determine whether you are running a 32 bit version or 64 bit version of Windows

NOTE!! You can download and prepare a 32 bit version using a 64 bit version of Windows
NOTE!! You can download and prepare a 64 bit version using a 32bit version of Windows.

You run the 32 bit version on a 32 bit version of Windows.
You run the 64 bit version on a 64 bit version of Windows.

The 32 bit download file name is: mssstool32.exe
The 64 bit download file name is: mssstool64.exe

For the curious, this program was originally name Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper.


INSTALLATION:
You will need an Internet Connection.
Insert 512 mB (Microsoft’s 256 mB is no longer accurate) or larger USB stick into a usb port.
Run the downloaded program--mssstool64.exe or mssstool32.exe
NEXT button
Choose the option On a USB flash drive that is not password protected
NEXT button
NEXT button
.
The install program will format the usb stick using the NTFS format.
The install program will download about 210 mB.
The install program will name the USB stick WDO_Media32 or WDO_Media64
The WDO_Media32 usb stick will have used space of 255 mB (268,140,544 bytes)
The WDO_Media64 usb stick will have used space of 282 mB (296,165,376 bytes)
You can expect the number of mB to increase as more malware appears.

UPDATE Windows Defender Offline USB stick:
· reinsert the usb stick
· run the installation program, mssstool64.exe or mssstool32.exe, again.
· the update will download about 66 mB (mssstool32.exe) and 68 mB (mssstool64.exe).

Since the malware database is sometimes updated several times in a day, always update before running.

PERFORM AN OFFLINE SCAN
Bootup your computer from the USB stick
Windows Defender Offline will automatically perform a quick scan.
After the quick scan finishes, Choose Full Scan
Select all of your drives

The initial, full scan can easily take several hours, but
Remember, your computer is being very thoroughly checked for all types of malware.

 

[karlsnooks]

Looking over your specs, there is the possibility that you need a heftier power supply. An inadequate power supply would also explain the freezes.

 

[karlsnooks]

Also, with power cable removed, remove the cover from the computer. With compressed air can, blow out all dust.

Leave the cover off. Direct a desktop fan, a table fan, or a floor fan directly at the computer.

Use Speccy as an easy tool to keep an eye on your temps.

 

[tatertot74121]

I don't think it's the power supply because it was working fine with that power supply since I got it last year and I sprayed the compressed air in it yesterday but it didn't change anything

 

[tatertot74121]

ok I ran did the offline full system scan and it didn't find anything

 

[tatertot74121]

it froze again and when it does it's a whole system freeze I can't alt f4 or ctrl alt dlt or anything like that. Just thought that might help you.

 

[karlsnooks]

did you follow the other advice about keeping the cover off, blowing a fan on it, using Speccy to monitor temps?

Run the enclosed script. Attach the resulting wdologs.zip file to your next post.

Incidentally, I disagree 100% with your assessment regarding the power supply not being at fault.

# **********************INSTRUCTIONS**************************
# STEP 1 ** RUN POWERSHELL AS ADMINISTRATOR ******************
# ************************************************************
#
# WIN key | type POWERSHELL | do NOT hit ENTER |
# in the PROGRAMS list, right-click on WINDOWS POWERSHELL |
# choose "Run as administrator" |
# Click on the YES button (if such appears)
#
# WIN key = key with Microsoft log on top
#
# for the guru:
# WIN | type POWERSHELL | CTRL+SHIFT+ENTER key combo | ALT+Y keycombo
# ************************************************************
# STEP 2 ** COPY AND PASTE ***********************************
# ************************************************************
#
# COPY the script using CTRL+C,
# COPY every line of script down thru both EXIT statements
#
# PASTE into Powershell
#----Right-Click at the PowerShell Prompt
#----(Ctrl+V does not work)
#
# Start copying with first script line without a # at start of the line
# Note: Actually, you can paste the entire file if you rather
#-------Lines starting with a # are ignored by PowerShell
# ************************************************************
# STEP 3 ** SCRIPT OUTPUT & SCRIPT PURPOSE *******************
# ************************************************************
# --The script output and purpose is given at the very front of the script
#
# --The script output and purpose is given at the very front of the script
#
# ************************************************************
# ***************** NOTE - POWERSHELL VERSION*****************
# if you receive this error msg:
#--The system can not find the path specified
# you may need to update your PowerShell
# you must be using Powershell 2.0 or later.
#
# To determine your Powershell version:
#---Run PowerShell
#---enter $host.version
#---you should see at least:
# Major Minor Build Revision
# ----- ----- ----- --------
# 2......0......-1.....-1
#
# If you do not see the above, update your Vista/Win 7.
# ************************************************************
# *************** NOTE - EXECUTION POLICY*********************
# If you haven't set the execution policy, you may need to:
#---Run PowerShell
#---enter SET-EXECUTIONPOLICY -EXECUTIONPOLICY REMOTESIGNED
# ************************************************************

# ************************************************************
# Zips up your log files from Windows Defender Offline
#  and extended info about the log files
# Places WDOlogs.ZIP on your Desktop
#
# ************************************************************

function New-Zip {
    param([Parameter(Mandatory=$true, Position=0, ValueFromPipeline=$true)]
    [String] $Path, [Switch] $PassThru, [Switch] $Force )
    Process { if (Test-Path $path) {if (-not $Force) { return } }
    Set-Content $path ("PK" + [char]5 + [char]6 + ("$([char]0)" * 18))
    $item = Get-Item $path; $item.IsReadOnly = $false;if ($passThru) { $item } } }
function Copy-ToZip {param(
  [Parameter(Mandatory=$true,Position=0,ValueFromPipelineByPropertyName=$true)] [Alias('FullName')] 
  [String]$File, [Parameter(Mandatory=$true,Position=1)] [String]$ZipFile,[Switch]$HideProgress,[Switch]$Force )
  Begin {$ShellApplication = New-Object -ComObject Shell.Application
  if (-not (Test-Path $ZipFile)) {New-Zip $ZipFile};$Path = Resolve-Path $ZipFile
  $ZipPackage =$ShellApplication.Namespace("$Path")}
  Process {$RealFile = Get-Item $File; if (-not $RealFile) { return }        
  if (-not $hideProgress) {$perc +=5; if ($perc -gt 100) { $perc = 0 } 
    Write-Progress "Copying to $ZipFile" $RealFile.FullName -PercentComplete $perc}
  $Flags = 0; if ($force) {$flags = 16 -bor 1024 -bor 64 -bor 512};Write-Verbose $realFile.Fullname
   $ZipPackage.CopyHere($realFile.Fullname, $flags);Start-Sleep -Milliseconds 500}}
$divider = "#" * 79
$fileinfo = join-path $env:TEMP \wdofileinfo.txt
IF (test-path $fileinfo) {del $fileinfo -ea:silentlycontinue -force:$true}
$dir = $env:windir + '\Microsoft Antimalware\Support'
$a = dir $dir  -rec -force -ea:silentlycontinue | sort-object -property lastwritetime 
$b = $a | where {$_.extension -eq '.log'} |Select  mode, fullname, name, creationtime, lastwritetime,  lastaccesstime, length, extension
$b | out-file -append $fileinfo
$b | foreach ($_.fullname) {
out-file -append $fileinfo -inputobject $divider
out-file -append  $fileinfo -inputobject $_.fullname;
out-file -append $fileinfo -inputobject (get-content -path $_.fullname)
}
$ziploc = $env:userprofile + '\desktop\WDOlogs.ZIP'
new-zip $ziploc -verbose:$false -ea:silentlycontinue -force:$true
copy-tozip  $fileinfo $ziploc -verbose:$false -hideprogress:$true
del $fileinfo

EXIT
EXIT

# ************************************************************

 

[tatertot74121]

Yes I did but it still froze afterwards. And I'm not sure because I got it last summer and it hasn't ever froze before now

 

[karlsnooks]

tatertot,
Please upload the wdologs.zip file.
thanks, karl

 

[tatertot74121]

ok sorry about that, there's the zip file

 

[karlsnooks]

Have you implemented the suggestions in post #9?

=========================================================
Carry out following procedure:
[FONT=&quot]MEMORY DUMPS - REQUIREMENTS[/FONT]


Enable automatic management of the Paging file
WIN + PAUSE/BREAK key combo |
Advanced system settings (left-hand side) |
Advanced tab, Performance section, Settings |
Advanced tab, Virtual Memory section, Change |
checkmark Automatically manage paging file size for all drives |
OK | OK | OK



STARTUP AND RECOVERY SETTINGS
WIN + PAUSE/BREAK key combo |
Advanced system settings (left-hand side) |
Advanced tab, Startup and Recovery section, Settings |
System Failure section | checkmark Write an Event to the system log
| uncheck Automatically restart |


Under Write debugging information, select Small memory dump |
in the Small dump directory: box, enter %SystemRoot%\Minidump| OK

If Overwrite any existing file is checked, then:
Ø Under Write debugging information, select Kernel memory dump
Ø Uncheck Overwrite any existing file
Ø Under Write debugging information, select Small memory dump
Ø OK button
If you get a crazy message from Win 7 about your paging file being too small, then just ignore the message since we have already made sure that the paging file is set to be managed by Win 7.

ENABLE THE WINDOWS ERROR REPORTING SERVICE
WIN key | type SERVICES.MSC | ENTER |
Scroll down to Windows Error Reporting Service |
Rt-clk on Windows Error Reporting Service | Properties |
General tab | for Startup type, choose Automatic |
In Service status, Start button (unless grayed out) | OK


ASSURE THAT CCLEANER IS NOT DELETING DUMPS
CCLEANER | Cleaner icon | Windows tab | System category |
Uncheck Memory Dumps
· WINDOWS ERROR REPORTING SERVICE must NOT be disabled!
· WIN | Services.msc | Enter
· Under Name, locate Windows Error Reporting Service
· If Status is not Started, then
Right-click on Windows Error Reporting Service |choose START
· If Startup Type is not Automatic, then
Right-click on Windows Error Reporting Service |
choose Properties | General tab |
set Startup type to Automatic
· Close Services.msc (I like to use ALT + F4)

After a crash, the minidump file will be in %SystemRoot%\Minidump
%SystemRoot% is generally C:\Windows

=========================================================
=========================================================

After that, then attach the minidumpsettings.txt file created by following script.
That's how I can confirm that all required settings have been made.

# **********************INSTRUCTIONS**************************
# STEP 1 ** RUN POWERSHELL AS ADMINISTRATOR ******************
# ************************************************************
#
# WIN key | type POWERSHELL | do NOT hit ENTER |
# in the PROGRAMS list, right-click on WINDOWS POWERSHELL |
# choose "Run as administrator" |
# Click on the YES button (if such appears)
#
# WIN key = key with Microsoft log on top
#
# for the guru:
# WIN | type POWERSHELL | CTRL+SHIFT+ENTER key combo | ALT+Y keycombo
# ************************************************************
# STEP 2 ** COPY AND PASTE ***********************************
# ************************************************************
#
# COPY the script using CTRL+C,
# COPY every line of script down thru both EXIT statements
#
# PASTE into Powershell
#----Right-Click at the PowerShell Prompt
#----(Ctrl+V does not work)
#
# Start copying with first script line without a # at start of the line
# Note: Actually, you can paste the entire file if you rather
#-------Lines starting with a # are ignored by PowerShell
# ************************************************************
# STEP 3 ** SCRIPT OUTPUT & SCRIPT PURPOSE *******************
# ************************************************************
# --The script output and purpose is given at the very front of the script
#
# --The script output and purpose is given at the very front of the script
#
# ************************************************************
# ***************** NOTE - POWERSHELL VERSION*****************
# if you receive this error msg:
#--The system can not find the path specified
# you may need to update your PowerShell
# you must be using Powershell 2.0 or later.
#
# To determine your Powershell version:
#---Run PowerShell
#---enter $host.version
#---you should see at least:
# Major Minor Build Revision
# ----- ----- ----- --------
# 2......0......-1.....-1
#
# If you do not see the above, update your Vista/Win 7.
# ************************************************************
# *************** NOTE - EXECUTION POLICY*********************
# If you haven't set the execution policy, you may need to:
#---Run PowerShell
#---enter SET-EXECUTIONPOLICY -EXECUTIONPOLICY REMOTESIGNED
# ************************************************************

# **************************************************************
# Puts MiniDumpSettings.TXT in your user profile folder
# WIN | type %userprofile%\ then click on MiniDumpSettings.TXT
# to view the important minidump settings
# WIN = key with Microsoft logo on top
# **************************************************************
gwmi Win32_OSRecoveryConfiguration | 
select minidumpdirectory, expandedminidumpdirectory, overwriteexistingdebugfile, kerneldumponly,`
debuginfotype, autoreboot, writedebuginfo, writetosystemlog | fl > $env:userprofile\desktop\minidumpsettings.txt

EXIT
EXIT

 

[tatertot74121]

ok here's the mini dump file

 

[karlsnooks]

Please reread the procedure for fulfilling minidump requirements.

A couple of your settings are wrong.

 

[tatertot74121]

Well I won't need to I don't know what you had me do or why it has recently stopped but thank you so much for all your help!