Solved Random freezes - Seven Professional x64

[bigfeh]

I would prefer a stable release...
Beta drivers are "incomplete" version...could lead to future problems

Well, I kind of have a problem right now, so... But OK, thanks for your feedback

Have you followed our advice or the steps in Clean Reinstall to install only the drivers pushed through by Windows Updates, then after all rounds of Updates and restarts import only drivers missing in Device Manager?

Only then install programs slowly over time with enough space in between to gauge whether each program is causing the problem.

Before install run Dell Diagnostics Utility - How to Run the

Now greg, here's a problem. Windows Update doesn't seem to find my GPU's drivers and I can't find some of the drivers for some of the hardware listed under Device manager. I'll install all of the remaining windows updates and post back.

 

[cipley]

Well, I meant that it will cause future problem that you have already experience now

Have you tried to update from Device Manager?

From Device Manager, right click the hardware that you want to look the driver for (most likely has that yellow exclamation marking on them) and select Update Driver Software...
Windows will then happily search them for you

hope it helps

 

[gregrocker]

This is not at all the recommended order as we've repeatedly pointed out.

You said that you installed all of your drivers at once after reinstall, instead of running all rounds of Updates to get the drivers Win7 wants, then only supply the ones still missing after all Updates are done.

Then install programs one at a time with enough time between each to rule it out causing the freezes.

 

[bigfeh]

Well, I meant that it will cause future problem that you have already experience now

Have you tried to update from Device Manager?

From Device Manager, right click the hardware that you want to look the driver for (most likely has that yellow exclamation marking on them) and select Update Driver Software...
Windows will then happily search them for you

hope it helps

I have, but Windows says it can't find any of the drivers (that's what I had done before posting, actually)

This is not at all the recommended order as we've repeatedly pointed out.

You said that you installed all of your drivers at once after reinstall, instead of running all rounds of Updates to get the drivers Win7 wants, then only supply the ones still missing after all Updates are done.

Then install programs one at a time with enough time between each to rule it out causing the freezes.

But aren't the manufacturer's drivers better, both in performance and stability terms, than Windows'? I think I got that wrong then.

 

[gregrocker]

Did you even read Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 as it clearly explains how drivers are handled in WIn7? It shows how to get a perfect install based on tens of thousands we've helped with here.

This is not XP. Win7 is driver-complete in the installer and quickly updated via Optional Windows Updates, after enabling Automatically get recommended drivers and updates for your hardware (Step 3).

You only need to supply drivers still missing after all rounds of Important and Optional Updates are done.

Equally important is the advice to then install programs slowly over time to gauge performance after each. Don't proceed to the next until you're sure its not freezing.

 

[bigfeh]

As a matter of fact, yes, I have read it thoroughly, and either I'm reading it wrong or I'm reading the wrong article, but it says "Install all of your device drivers, then Windows Updates.". Because well, that's what I did, I gathered my drivers (CPU, GPU, Audio card, RAID controller UI, Mouse and Keyboard CI) and installed them right after Windows 7, did I do that wrong? Because if so I can format it again.

 

[gregrocker]

You must have read the wrong tutorial. The relevant sections in Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 read:

9. The installer is mostly driver-complete, with newer arriving quickly via optional Windows Updates. So after install connect to your network after installing LAN driver if necessary, enable hardware driver auto-updating, install all rounds of Important and Optional Updates.

10. Any drivers still missing in Device Manager after all Updates are installed can be found on the Support Downloads webpage for your model computer or device, along with possibly needed hotfixes - which you can also wait to see if you need. Driver Install - Device Manager

I would not replace any drivers given by the installer or optional Updates unless performance problems point to that specific driver. We can help you troubleshoot these issues.

• Unknown Devices are often card readers, or may be revealed by a function still missing on the PC such as laptop function keys or keyboard lighting, or can be traced using Hardware Identification.

• Co-processor, USB and Storage controllers are often elements of the chipset.
​

11. Install programs slowly over time to gauge performance changes after each. You can roll back most any Program installs or Update(s) using System Restore.

 

[bigfeh]

8. Unplug all other HD's and peripherals except ethernet, Boot the Windows 7 installer, choose Custom Install, then Drive Options (Advanced) to Delete all partitions not needed, repartition as desired following illustrated steps given here: Clean Install Windows 7.

This is where I found it. If it's wrong or something you might want to edit that.

Either way sorry greg, I'll format this computer again this weekend probably, as I'm on fast internet now. Is it OK to install Firefox and Thunderbird right after Windows? Because I can't get used to using IE...

 

[gregrocker]

OK, I see that you were diverted into that tutorial at the earlier step. This is the first time I've been made aware of conflicting advice between the two tutorials, so I will edit that step to refer only to Steps 7 and 8 there showing how to delete, create and format partitions using the Drive Tools. Thank you!

I would also delete all partitions to create new again, as well.

I'd install Firefox, use it for awhile before installing Thunderbird, but then give it a long enough pause while working online to see that there are no hangs yet.

 

[bigfeh]

OK, I see that you were diverted into that tutorial at the earlier step. This is the first time I've been made aware of conflicting advice between the two tutorials, so I will edit that step to refer only to Steps 7 and 8 there showing how to delete, create and format partitions using the Drive Tools. Thank you!

I would also delete all partitions to create new again, as well.

Yeah, you can install them while Updates are being installed, but then give it a long enough pause while working online to see that there are no hangs yet.

You're welcome

I always delete the partitions mostly because of space, and because I don't really need/won't use the old installation.

Either way, the problem is that sometimes, the computer doesn't hang for days. How am I even supposed to know if it's OK? Besides, the hangs aren't really HANGS as in freezing completely.
It first becomes unresponsive (input is no longer processed, it seems), audio starts stuttering to the point it's no longer understandable (but even though it sounds like it hung, it changes over time) and, what's even weirder, the Windows 7/Vista pointer (the spinning one, when it's working/loading something) did not stop. After a few seconds, the computer froze completely.

Could this be a sign of something? I knew these hangs were different from the start because well, the sound changed. But this pointer thing was really, really weird. (imagine it spinning, but at a significantly lower framerate - something around 20-30 FPS). I know it's really hard to imagine but it's also really hard to explain. If you have trouble understanding this please reply so I can try to explain it to you in a better way.

EDIT: Do you guys have a malware-related section? If so, I'd really love to help and learn some stuff - I find it all really interesting. (and also get help, my brother's computer is like, dangerous)

 

[gregrocker]

Yes, we have System Security section.

If you haven't yet I'd stress test the RAM overnight with memtest, run HD Diagnostic extended CD scan, scour the logs and system resources for clues if you haven't already, assure no startups at all, from the Troubleshooting Steps for Windows 7

 

[bigfeh]

I've already stress tested RAM, it didn't show any errors. Also checked the HDDs with HD Diag, not to mention the other tools I've also used (including WD's tool and Dell's tool).

Now about the system logs, they look pretty much the same as they looked before I formatted this computer. Can't load GEARAspiWDM.sys due to incompatibility, GEARAspiWDM can't load something, etc. etc. Other than that, "the shutdown on [some date] was unexpected". These are the hangs.

EDIT: perfmon failed basic system check Hardware Device and Driver Checks, with 2 out of 180 PlugAndPlay Device Configured Fail Count.

 

[gregrocker]

GEARAspiWDM.sys appears to be an Itunes CD driver which can cause problems, and your logs say it is incompatible. I would uninstall Itunes to see if the freezes stop.

You might be able to search for the file (after unHiding files in Control Panel>Folder Options>View) If so rename it with .bak so it remains there inert in case you need to restore it.

 

[bigfeh]

Now that'll be a problem, because iTunes was never installed on this computer. I don't even know how that got in here. I'll try deleting the file.

EDIT: Can't find it under /system32/drivers. Will look elsewhere.

EDIT 2: Found it under /SYSWOW64/drivers. Deleting now.

 

[gregrocker]

I would rename it with .bak so it remains there inert in case you need to restore it. Otherwise leave it in the Recycle bin for awhile to see.

Do you have Bonjour installed for some other program? It's never needed and often problematic.

 

[bigfeh]

I would rename it with .bak so it remains there inert in case you need to restore it. Otherwise leave it in the Recycle bin for awhile to see.

Will do!

EDIT: On Bonjour, no I don't have it installed - in fact, I don't have ANYTHING Apple installed here - but I kind of need it to use my printer, now that we've come to talk of it. But no, don't have it here.

 

[bigfeh]

Removed the driver, now it doesn't identify my CD/DVD drive.

 

[gregrocker]

Then replace the driver.

 

[bigfeh]

The driver wasn't the problem, the computer just hung twice.

EDIT: Unplugged my DVD drive, let's see if that works.

 

[bigfeh]

This piece of s is now freezing so much it's not even usable anymore. What do I do? I have tested RAM, HDDs, GPU, CPU, formatted the computer (twice, once before posting here as well), unplugged the DVD drive, what's next? What could possibly be the problem with this computer?

EDIT: How am I getting this error "The device, \Device\CdRom0, has a bad block." in my logs if the dvd drive is not even plugged?

EDIT 2: Testing GPU again with OCCT.