Computer freezes (seemingly randomly) but not in safe mode

[stevie lee]

if its not the network/chipset drivers causing it (from what was written in the above posts). I have another suggestion.

what about your antivirus or firewall settings?

a few months ago, I was having all sorts of lockups, BSODs, games not working correctly. after googling about the problem, it suggested that Avast was the cause of the problems. so I turned avast off and the problems went away.

because from what you've written, it sound as though you get the lockup as soon as the antivirus/firewall would start scanning the files your using to connect or modify from the internet (or whatever the technical wording is).

[PurplePenguin]

You might want to try updating your GPU driver.

[Mother]

If it isnt hardware then the only option is to re install the OS and install and check everything that you install as you go along, ive had this similar problem where it was sound drivers which is common and a driver update fixed this, i also had a problem with antivirus software which had me flummoxed for a while.......Bios update?

[overclockthesun]

If it does not happen in safe mode then it definitely is a driver issue

[YoloSwag]

If it does not happen in safe mode then it definitely is a driver issue

Well not always.
Here are some probable causes:

-Faulty RAM sticks
-HDD with bad sectors
-Dirty Fans (CPU, GPU, System - in relation to high temperatures)
-High Temperatures
-A dying PSU

I've experienced these myself. And like the other guy said, it's really hard to diagnose these kind of problems. But you should be patient and try out each one.
I'd start by cleaning the case and fans. Removing those RAM sticks and switching the positions. Then check all cable connections.

It's easier if you have another computer to test everything out

[ty2010]

HDD itself can cause periodic freezes, this is more prevalent with large capacity drives. Personally I've only had luck with boot partitions 128gb and smaller as well as setting the disk cache to a static size, preferably on another HDD if available.

[TheDutyPaid]

Just thinking, is the mobo Bios updated to take the Q6600 if it is 0301 or over it should be ok.

[YoloSwag]

Check MSConfig for programs running in services and startup. I suggest disabling all the non-MS, non-antivirus and non-driver stuff.

A similar thing happened to me.

[Obraxis]

Try running Memtest+ and Seagate Seatools. If everything is fine, grab a fresh Windows copy and re-install. Safe-mode only shows it most likely some kind of software issue rather than hardware.