Windows 7 Random Lockups.

porushinobu

porushinobu

porushinobu

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At this point it could be anything but before I start with the explanation, here are my specs.

  • RAM: 12GB DDR3 (1x 8GB, 1x4GB)
  • CPU: AMD FX-8150 Eight Core @ 3.6GHz (Factory overclocked)
  • Main SSD: 128GB Crucial M550
  • Secondary HDD: SeagateSSHDD 1TB (8GB SSD)
  • GPU: MSI R9 270X 4GB Version
  • PSU: Super Flower 1KW 80 plus platinum
  • Cooler on CPU: OCUK Techlabs watercooler (cant find it in store anymore :/)
  • Mobo: Gigabyto 990 XA-UD3

Okay Here are my running processes at startup also.
  • CCC - Catalyst Control Centre
  • Razer Synapse
  • ET6
  • Microsoft Security essentials
  • AMD Gaming Evolved App

below are some other programs I run in the background but not all the time.
  • MSI Afterburner
  • MSI Gamin APP

So here's my Issue I seem to be having a situation, where my pc will boot up fine and be stable. then after a random amount of time, it will lock up no response from keyboard or mouse or screen, the currently displayed program will be present on screen but will be frozen. Any sounds at the time will be playing their millisecond of sound at the time of freezing.

I have tried:
  • Windows memory Diagnostics - No Errors (2 passes)
    ( I cant change settings because keyboard and mouse have no power in memtest :()
  • I tried running prime95 to see if it was CPU - after 20 minutes I got another lockup
  • While searching for a solution online I noticed a fix which involved turning off USB legacy support in BIOS, I altered this and seemed to work, but only for 3 weeks.

Does anyone here have any ideas? I am at a loss and about to pull out what hair I have left :mad:

If you need any further info/ screenies. I will be watching this thread and will reply as soon as I can. I am also not discounting it may be a hardware issue, but since windows 7 was installed on a brand new SSD and fully updated, plus the fact that others have had no success with complete OS reinstalls I dont think its W7 itself.
 
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Firstly I'd run the CPU at stock and wind off any other overclocks you have on the RAM and reset the CMOS. Then try each stick of RAM individually.

Report back with your findings
 
ExRayTed said:
Firstly I'd run the CPU at stock and wind off any other overclocks you have on the RAM and reset the CMOS. Then try each stick of RAM individually.

Report back with your findings
Click to expand...

will that involve changing the CPU BIOS as its a factory overclocked CPU and I have never OC'd it myself. Nothing else is overclocked
 
look in windows event viewer to try and see what caused the crash,random lockups are usually memory or memory controller voltage related

not sure with amd but you might need one or two clicks more cpu northbridge voltage with 12gb of ram (for the memory controller)
 
wazza300 said:
look in windows event viewer to try and see what caused the crash,random lockups are usually memory or memory controller voltage related

not sure with amd but you might need one or two clicks more cpu northbridge voltage with 12gb of ram (for the memory controller)
Click to expand...

Forgot to mention, lockups freeze pc completely, nothing in event viewer.
Had same issue with 8GB RAM also
 
do you have onboard or onchip graphics? tried without gpu installed? just to rule out gpu

id save your bios oc to usb memory stick aswell just incase it resets it
 
It'll mean removing the overclock, yes. When you say 'factory overclock' you're referring to buying the system in a pre-overclocked state, something you can easily do yourself afterwards. An overclock can go bad over time due mainly to the heat generated and it'll usually be the first step in identifying issues such as yours

However I'm aware that you may not want to do that so just check the sticks of RAM individually for now - pull one out and run with only one for a bit, then try the same with the other. Hopefully that's the issue
 
ExRayTed said:
It'll mean removing the overclock, yes. When you say 'factory overclock' you're referring to buying the system in a pre-overclocked state, something you can easily do yourself afterwards. An overclock can go bad over time due mainly to the heat generated and it'll usually be the first step in identifying issues such as yours

However I'm aware that you may not want to do that so just check the sticks of RAM individually for now - pull one out and run with only one for a bit, then try the same with the other. Hopefully that's the issue
Click to expand...

yeah I didn't realize the CPU was pre-over clocked until I got it. as for overheating that's a valid theory, until I got this liquid cooler I was getting instant cutouts due to temperature issues.

I will try individual sticks, but it may take a while because of the issue being intermittent. If it is my memory it will be the 8GB or both as I was getting his with only the 8GB stick inserted.

The CPU is 2nd hand, which in retrospect may of been a bad move for me. Also I have never flashed a BIOS before so your right i that I am reluctant to do that. I will give you the results of my tests.

Will start with just the 4GB stick for 3 weeks.
if it still locks up we can rule out the memory itself.
 
Remove MSI Afterburner. I've found it made my system pretty unstable, and as soon as I binned it things became a LOT better!

Have you a different graphics card you can try, or just run the same Prime95 testing on your onboard GFX? I'd put money on it being a GPU hardware fault. They're usually the flakiest component in a system.
 
Don't trust the Windows memory diagnostic. Run Prime 95 instead.

And with regards to memory, you have two mismatched DIMMs. Are they in separate banks? If not, you should see that they are.
 
Quartz said:
Don't trust the Windows memory diagnostic. Run Prime 95 instead.

And with regards to memory, you have two mismatched DIMMs. Are they in separate banks? If not, you should see that they are.
Click to expand...

they are.
matt_fsr said:
Remove MSI Afterburner. I've found it made my system pretty unstable, and as soon as I binned it things became a LOT better!

Have you a different graphics card you can try, or just run the same Prime95 testing on your onboard GFX? I'd put money on it being a GPU hardware fault. They're usually the flakiest component in a system.
Click to expand...

no onbooard graphics and the GPU is quite new, usually a faulty GPU especially this GPU gives a Grey-SOD

as for afterburner I may give it a try but have not had issues before. plus I use it for custom fan settings, do you recommend I use CCC as it only has a single manual setting. I prefer an automatic, custom set ramp.
 
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Update not the RAM I tested the 4GB stick on its own and had a re-occurrence within 1 day and since the problem already occurred originally with the 8GB stick inserted on it's own. That leaves.
CPU,Mobo,or (and I really hope it's not) the GPU if it is the GPU that would be yet another RMA for it (making 3 total)

I am thinking its the mobo, any thoughts, it is a UEFI mobo. and after installing it I have had a few issues getting OS installed because of the UEFI set up.

EDIT:
another theory that's presented itself. I have noticed that I do not lock up in game, or haven't noticed it happen in gaming. Usually when mouse is idle (ie: watching vids etc) I will need to do further tests on that before I confirm its true. - NOT CONFIRMED happened once during prime 95 test and i was using mouse

I am also seeing others with similar issues, they also seem to have Gigabyte mobos ( not all of them though)
 
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Okay tonights test will be the GPU, I am going to swap it out for an old one I have,
fresh install of drivers aswell.
if this resolves the issue I may have to go all complainey to Customer support. Sorry OCUK but 4 RMAs is enough...

wish me luck!
 
Sorry to say, but when I was experiencing this problem with my system it was the GPU. In my case the GPU was a Gigabyte GTX770. It was replaced under an RMA to OCUK, had the system back now 2 months and it hasn't missed a beat. What I will say, is that after searching for fixes for the whole system lockup on the net, it was apparent that it could literally be any one of the components. I tested absolutely everything in the system, it was only when I removed the graphics card and ran the system on the cpu graphics, that the freezing stopped.

Got my fingers crossed that you find the problem asap!
 
Adz160 said:
Sorry to say, but when I was experiencing this problem with my system it was the GPU. In my case the GPU was a Gigabyte GTX770. It was replaced under an RMA to OCUK, had the system back now 2 months and it hasn't missed a beat. What I will say, is that after searching for fixes for the whole system lockup on the net, it was apparent that it could literally be any one of the components. I tested absolutely everything in the system, it was only when I removed the graphics card and ran the system on the cpu graphics, that the freezing stopped.

Got my fingers crossed that you find the problem asap!
Click to expand...

Well I will test it on my backup GPU tomorrow, wanted to test it after uninstalling HDMI drivers as they have caused issues before. If it does turn out to be the GPU I would think a 3rd replacement is just silly.
 
UPDATE not the HD audio drivers, 4 days of normal operation, then bam another lockup

ill try the afterburner suggestion now
 
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