Windows 7 freezing

matt.hibb · 19 Aug 2013 at 11:44

Hello,

For the last few days I have been having constant trouble with Windows 7 freezing. I can work for maybe an hour or so and then gradually each open program freezes (not responding). I can't start any new programs nor task manager. I can't shutdown/restart.

I have not installed any new hardware recently or done any other change to the system.

Right now I'm guessing it's the SSD or the graphics card, but I don't really know how to troubleshoot it, since I can't do anything but a hard reset once it happens. And after everything comes back fine again for a while.

Any help/ideas welcome on how to get to the bottom of this.

Thanks!

Speed · 19 Aug 2013 at 13:27

What is your systems specification?

Update the SSD Firmware would be my first suggestion. Check the temperatures, make sure it isn't over heating. Test the memory with Memtest86+ (2 passes are normally enough to verify the memory is fine). You can create a bootable USB stick here (the one with *NEW*): http://www.memtest.org/#downiso

Raumarik · 19 Aug 2013 at 13:48

Have you checked event viewer to see if there are any alerts/warnings prior to the programs crashing, it's basic but can point the way at times.

matt.hibb · 19 Aug 2013 at 14:46

nothing in the event viewer.

I'll try updating the firmware. Got to back a few things up before that though.

matt.hibb · 20 Aug 2013 at 13:59

I've backed up and updated the firmware and it still happens.

One thing I noticed is that if I reboot the machine using the reset button rather than holding down the power button to switch it off, then the SSD doesn't show in BIOS. I have to turn the power off and back on again for it to be recognised again. Does anyone think I'n correct in suspecting the SSD as the culprit?

Speed · 20 Aug 2013 at 14:03

What SSD do you have?

Have you ruled out other things like temperatures and the memory?

matt.hibb · 20 Aug 2013 at 17:59

SSD is a Crucial RealSSD M4.

Sorry forgot to add before that Memtest86+ passed and temps are fine, everything in low 30's.

Speed · 20 Aug 2013 at 19:03

Use something like SSD Life to make sure the SSD is healthy and that all the SMART values are in the green.

http://ssd-life.com/eng/download-ssdlife.html

Once you run it make sure to click the S.M.A.R.T button for more detailed info. You can also use it to verify that FW update you did took. Should be 070H.

It will also tell you if Trim is enabled.

What motherboard do you have? Check that its BIOS is up to date.

matt.hibb · 20 Aug 2013 at 19:14

hmm, SSD Life reports no installed SSD's on my machine. Now to figure out why that is...

Speed · 20 Aug 2013 at 21:19

Try Crystal Disk Info if you don't have any luck with SSD Life: http://crystalmark.info/software/index-e.html

matt.hibb · 21 Aug 2013 at 09:37

Yes Crystal Disk Info works. Doesn't report any errors. Only scores lower than 100 are Wear Levelling Count at 98 and Percent Lifetime Used also at 98.

I've finally backed everything up (after multiple freezes/crashes trying to do so) and updated the firmware on the SSD, so lets see if that makes any difference.