Solved Repair Install has created random freezes every few hours

[MarkC0]

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3413-repair-install.html
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I just did a repair install and am experiencing freezes since. I used step 4, using the downloaded .iso from Dell forums. Every few hours the computer will lock up. It's not a BSOD, just the last frame on the screen sticks and of course all functionality goes away (no mouse/keyboard, plugging in new USB devices doesn't register, etc). Speakers will make that infamous "buzzing sound" if audio was playing as it froze.

I had this problem in the past, as described here: http://www.sevenforums.com/hardware...re-experiencing-massive-fluctuation-33-a.html

I've re-installed all drivers, used CCleaner, and checked the UEFI to make sure all the previous settings went unchanged.
I've also reset the CPU to clock speeds and still experienced the same freezes.

Would a full format be suitable in this case? I've also created a backup image of the previously working setup using DriveImageXML. Another course of action would be restoring it, keeping in mind I'll need to re-install Windows somehow inevitably to fix the issues I had in the first place.

What is the best course of action here?

 

[Brink]

Hello Mark,

Yeah, usually if a repair install cannot help, then it's time to consider a clean install.

 

[Pauly]

Hi mate in case you havent seen them theres some handy tutorials that may help you, not sure what applies to you
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31402-clean-install-upgrade-windows-7-version.html
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219487-clean-reinstall-factory-oem-windows-7-a.html#post1839164

 

[MarkC0]

Thanks.

Is it common for new problems to pop up when doing a repair install? I was not experiencing this problem prior to it. I gravely fear I'll never figure out the driver combinations I used to stop this in the first place now =(. I'll try a clean reinstall and get back to you guys.

 

[Brink]

It's usually not so much an issue with the repair install itself, but whether or not the repair install will be able to repair whatever the issue may be. Unfortunately, it cannot fix everything.

I hope the clean install goes smoothly.

 

[gregrocker]

If this is still the Dell factory preinstall then often the Repair install can not sort all of the corruption in such an inferior install. That's why most tech enthusiasts prefer to get the superior Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7. Everything you need is in the blue link.

 

[MarkC0]

Okay, so far so good.

After re-installing I didn't do any updates or install any drivers, just let the computer sit for about 30 hours. No crashes.
I then installed all the updates and drivers and have let the computer sit for about 20 hours. Still no crashes.

I'll wait a few more hours then move on to the next step. Which bring me to my next question... which should I be installing first (if it matters)?
- Programs such as Firefox, Steam, LibreOffice, etc
- Extentions such as Rainmeter, QTTab, etc.

 

[Erick Aguilar]

Okay, so far so good.

After re-installing I didn't do any updates or install any drivers, just let the computer sit for about 30 hours. No crashes.
I then installed all the updates and drivers and have let the computer sit for about 20 hours. Still no crashes.

I'll wait a few more hours then move on to the next step. Which bring me to my next question... which should I be installing first (if it matters)?
- Programs such as Firefox, Steam, LibreOffice, etc
- Extentions such as Rainmeter, QTTab, etc.

Install any software one by one slowly so you are able to see if any software is causing system instability and it will be easier for you to identify the culprit without too much of a headache.

Also don't let many programs intall themselves as startup programs so your startup is not dramatically slowed down.

 

[Pauly]

Before you do to much enter backup & restore and take a system image then you will never have to clean install again

 

[MarkC0]

^ I almost forgot, shit! Thanks.

Okay so I will proceed to install Rainmeter and Rocketdock first and foremost. After that I'll move on to all the shell extentions, and then finally the programs and games.

If anythings sound wrong with that lemme know.

EDIT: Err, one question about backing up:
The solutions I'm using right now all backup the entire drive (all 120GB). Is there a way to backup just the used portion (~30GB)? Of course with the requirement that it can used to boot somehow. I have DriveImageXML and Euseus Backup to choose from + default Win backup, but I don't believe any offered full system backups without cloning the entire drive. I'd have to wait for my new HDD to arrive before I can clear out 120GB.

 

[Brink]

Mark,

All of them will either image or clone the entire drive, but it's the amount of data on it that matters. You can always resize the partitions later if need be.

 

[MarkC0]

Is there any way to save the image onto a USB drive? It keeps saying it's not a valid location. I've free'd enough room to save a backup image to an HDD but I cannot keep it on that drive for long... would transferring it to the USB stick afterwards work?

 

[gregrocker]

You really need another internal or external USB drive to store images due to size.

Did you look at the steps for getting a perfect Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 which are same for retail? These explain how best to sequence the program and add-ons reinstalls.

 

[MarkC0]

Okay I have created a system image on one of my internal HDDs.
My USB stick is large enough to hold it. I can safely transfer the folder to a USB stick, correct? I don't mind if I have to transfer it back to actually use it if needed.

 

[gregrocker]

WindowsImageBackup files don't like to be moved. It needs to stay where it is first saved.

 

[MarkC0]

Okay, so far so good. The PC is yet to freeze once since re-installing Windows. I've installed things in steps and finished installing the last apps/games last night. We're about 16 hours later now and still stable. If I reach 48 hours stable I'll mark this solved.

Another problem has seeped in as well. If anyone is able to assist that would be great.
http://www.sevenforums.com/general-...d-has-vanished-without-trace.html#post2250457

 

[Brink]

Great news so far Mark.

 

[MarkC0]

Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaay.

 

[Brink]

Perfect.