System randomly freezes up, don't know why

[Kierenblade]

Hi,

Every now and then, my system just completely freezes, I can't anything. I can't even restart by pressing the Power button.

I don't think it happens when I do a certain task, everything freezes one by one or window by window. Just as an example, first Windows Media Player will freeze then FireFox then Explorer and then the Windows Gadgets and the last to freeze is the cursor.

I have no choice but to hold in the Power to hard shutdown my PC.

Could this be because of my old motherboard or is it my hard drive crashing?
I have 2 HDD, 250Gb each, the HDD that has windows on has about 70Gb free.

Specs:
Operating System: Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit (6.1, Build 7601) Service Pack 1 (7601.win7sp1_gdr.110622-1506)
Processor: AMD Phenom(tm) II X4 840 Processor (4 CPUs), ~3.2GHz
Memory: 6144MB RAM
Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTS 450 (Dual Screen setup)


If this helps, here are the 2 HDDs I have,
Hitachi HDP725025GLA380 ATA
ST3250318AS ATA

I also have a 2TB external HDD, connected via USB

 

[JMH]

Generic advice / information.

* Your problem may be caused by many things > RAM problems >graphics drivers > overclocking > heat issues > using more than one AntiVirus at the same time > etc etc.

* Make sure all intake/exhausts vents are clean along with all fans.
Get some temp monitoring software for cpu, gpu.

* If overclocking, restore to original.

*Any BSOD DMP files produced?
If so we need them to enable us to assist you with your computer's symptoms.

* Have you any System Restore points created PRIOR to this happening?

Some troubleshooting steps you might care to consider.

*Type event viewer, in search (by start button) and look for errors that may show the cause of the problem.
Look for critical errors (they have red in the left column ).
Note critical errors that say app hang, app crash, or anything that relates to the CURRENT problem.
Google for more information.

* Try a clean boot, or boot into safe mode.
Does the behavior persist?

How to troubleshoot a problem by performing a clean boot in Windows Vista or in Windows 7

Start your computer in safe mode

* Run DiskCleanup

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/818-disk-cleanup-open-use.html

* How to Repair Windows 7 System Files with System File Checker
SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html

* Then run checkdisk (chkdsk).

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/433-disk-check.html

* FYI...

http://www.sevenforums.com/crash-lo...bleshooting-explorer-exe-crashing-issues.html

 

[Kierenblade]

Generic advice / information.

* Your problem may be caused by many things > RAM problems >graphics drivers > overclocking > heat issues > using more than one AntiVirus at the same time > etc etc.

* Make sure all intake/exhausts vents are clean along with all fans.
Get some temp monitoring software for cpu, gpu.

* If overclocking, restore to original.

*Any BSOD DMP files produced?
If so we need them to enable us to assist you with your computer's symptoms.

* Have you any System Restore points created PRIOR to this happening?

Some troubleshooting steps you might care to consider.

*Type event viewer, in search (by start button) and look for errors that may show the cause of the problem.
Look for critical errors (they have red in the left column ).
Note critical errors that say app hang, app crash, or anything that relates to the CURRENT problem.
Google for more information.

* Try a clean boot, or boot into safe mode.
Does the behavior persist?

How to troubleshoot a problem by performing a clean boot in Windows Vista or in Windows 7

Start your computer in safe mode

* Run DiskCleanup

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/818-disk-cleanup-open-use.html

* How to Repair Windows 7 System Files with System File Checker
SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html

* Then run checkdisk (chkdsk).

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/433-disk-check.html

* FYI...

http://www.sevenforums.com/crash-lo...bleshooting-explorer-exe-crashing-issues.html

Thank you for replying, JMH

I don't have heat issues, I haven't overclocked anything and I only use one AntiVirus

This issue has been happening for while now, I don't recall the day it started

I also haven't had a BSOD while the system freezes

I ran the checkdisk (chkdsk) and it found no errors

The only Critical errors in the Event Viewer are Kernal-Power (The system has rebooted without cleanly shutting down first. This error could be caused if the system stopped responding, crashed, or lost power unexpectedly.)


I also recall this happening when my Disc Drive couldn't/failed to read a disc, then the whole system would freeze. But I fixed it (I think) by replacing the SATA cable and plugging it into a different SATA port on my motherboard, not sure if this problem has come up again. I also don't have a disc in the Drive when the freezes happen.

My motherboard is a ASUS M2N-SLI.

My HDDs are also a bit old, about 2-4 years old.

GPU Temp: 50 (Celsius)
CPU Temp: 28 (Celsius)