System freeze on Aero usage

[Tigey]

Good evening,

I am trying to figure out the problem on a home-built computer running Windows 7 Professional x64. When mousing over a taskbar icon, or the show desktop button (bottom right), or when running the Windows Experience Refresh opration, the system will freeze and never recover.

When running the Windows Experience Refresh tool, it always hangs when it is running some Aero check (I cant recall exactly what it says ATM).

Since first encountering this error, I have replaced every piece of hardware on the system except for the power supply; that is going to be next.

Please find attached the nfo file saved from msinfo32.exe.

Any light you might shed on this issue would be greatly appreciated.


Tigey

 

[zigzag3143]

Good evening,

I am trying to figure out the problem on a home-built computer running Windows 7 Professional x64. When mousing over a taskbar icon, or the show desktop button (bottom right), or when running the Windows Experience Refresh opration, the system will freeze and never recover.

When running the Windows Experience Refresh tool, it always hangs when it is running some Aero check (I cant recall exactly what it says ATM).

Since first encountering this error, I have replaced every piece of hardware on the system except for the power supply; that is going to be next.

Please find attached the nfo file saved from msinfo32.exe.

Any light you might shed on this issue would be greatly appreciated.


Tigey

As you no doubt know by now freezing isnt usually caused by hardware. Freezes such as this are often caused by conflicts in software, too little ram, and many other things.

Several things you can try

1-run a system file check to verify and repair your system files
(type cmd in search>right click and run as admin>SFC /SCANNOW)

Let us know the results

2-check event viewer (type eventvwr in search). go to the windows log>application tab. Look for critical errors (they have red in the left hand column) that say app hang, app crash, or anything related to the problem.

When you find them note the event ID and source codes and tell us hat they are.

3-boot into safe mode (with networking). Does it stilll do it then? If not it is problably a software conflict.

4- go into device manager (type device manager in search). Are there any "unknown drivers" with yellow question marks on them?

Let us know the answers

Ken

 

[Tigey]

Thank you Ken for responding. It means a lot that you would take time out to help.

SFC returned no errors.

Nothing anomalous in the Application event viewer. Lots of info, and a couple of warnings about user profile registry keys remaining open. Additionally, there are no anomalous entries in the System log just before Error 41 Kernel-Power.

In safe mode I was unable to reproduce because Aero Peek, and the Windows Experience Index Refresh tool are unavailable.

Device manager had no devices that were reporting problems.

I noticed this happening immediately after installing Windows 7 twice on different hard drives. Any other thoughts?

 

[Petey7]

Since it happens while using Aero, it sounds like a video card driver. I saw that you said you tried replacing everything. You don't have two different video card drivers installed at the same time do you? Have you checked for new versions of your video card driver?

 

[Petey7]

After doing some looking I see that others are having trouble with that card and blame it on poorly made drivers. Also, could you tell me what PSU you have. I just want to check to make sure everything is compatible.

 

[Tigey]

Antec smartpower 450 watt.

I have only one set of drivers installed. I have tried several different distros.

Tigey

 

[Petey7]

It looks like the max your power supply can do is +12V and 15Amps. Your card requires +12V and 24Amps. Your card is not getting enough power from the PSU. When it seeks that power under load and does not get it, the computer turns off to protect hardware. You either have to use a weaker card/integrated graphics or buy a new power supply. If you don't, there is a risk of permanent damage to hardware. If you want to keep that card, tell me where you live and I will try to find a good, cheap power supply for you. For some countries, there might not be much I can do, but I will try.

 

[Tigey]

I live in Fairfax County in Virginia, and there is a Microcenter not far away. I usually buy all my stuff from Newegg anyhow.

Thanks for the help. I don't think I would have thought it was the PSU (although that is the last thing I had left to replace...)

Regardless, this gave me an excuse to upgrade nearly everything on the system...

Tigey

 

[Petey7]

You live pretty close to me then. A little more info on that card. If I'm reading this correctly a 550watt power supply with +12V rating of 30Amp can enable the use of something called SLI mode. Not sure what it is, but being able to use a couple extra features is always nice.

 

[Tigey]

SLI is scalable link interface. Typically running two or more video cards in tandem. I only have the one though, so I don't really need that.

I live near Herndon, where are you at?

Tigey

 

[Petey7]

well, when i say "pretty close" I mean in relation to the rest of the east coast. I'm in little town just south of Richmond.

 

[Tigey]

Ahh OK. Well I looked on Microcenter website, and they have a number of PSUs that output 24A power or better. I will head down there tomorrow and check it out.

 

[Petey7]

Make sure it is 24A on the +12V rail. Ask someone that works there if you are unsure and they will get you sorted.

 

[Tigey]

That was it! I put an Enermax 525 Modu82+ in and it has experienced no problems. Thanks all, and especially Petey.

Tigey

 

[Petey7]

Glad to hear you got the new part you needed. I'm glad I could be so much help.