Another Windows Freezing Thread!

[opel80uk]

Hi All,

Yesterday I recently upgraded my Mobo (Asus M5A97 Evo), CPU (FX8350) and RAM (2x4Gb Crucial Ballistix). I reused my HDD and decided to do a clean install. The problems started when I went to install Windows 7. The install would either freeze at random points (and I would have to restart the PC) or would look as if the install had gone through but upon restarting would either give me an error message saying that it hadn't, or continually loop the 'restart to finish'. I tried a few times and, randomly, it seemed to complete an install error free. However, it started freezing at random points, either not long after logging in or sometimes while windows was loading up.

I had a look at the BIOS, and changed the SATA from ADHI to IDE as that seemed to be causing some people problems. I again managed what appeared to be an error free install, and initially seemed ok with no crashes. I dowloaded the LAN driver supplied with the motherboard documents so I could access the internet, and proceeded to use Windows update to get that up to date. I then proceeded to update the other various drivers, GPU etc, and all was fine, it seemed to be ok. But it has started Radmomly freezing again, sometimes after Windows has loaded, but usually when windows is loading before the log in, so I'm not getting a chance to check anything. The freeze appears to be Random, and when I ran the Windows check (before any freeze and after what appeared to be the succesful installation, Windows said there were no problems). I didn't download any additional programes, so that can't be the issue.

I tried using the RAM sticks by themselves, and in different slots each time, but am still getting the same thing, and the Windows RAM test didn't pick anything up when I ran it. (although I don't have any spare RAM to properly test it.)
I've started in Safe Mode, and have been logged in for well over an hour and a half now, which is by far the longest i've managed to go without it freezing. And I forgot to mention, Windows 7 is being installed from an official disk I bought.

Does anyone have an idea of what might be wrong? Am I right in thinking that, given the difficulties I had in actually installing Windows, that it is most likely a Hardware issue, perhaps with the HDD, or the MOBO? In saying that, given that I have been in safe mode now for nearly 2 hours with no freeze, does that point to a Driver issue? and if so, how would I find out which one if Windows is telling me they are all up to date, and nothing is being flagged up in the device manager? Is there anything that I've mentioned that would rule anything out? (I.e would a RAM problem resurface in Safe Mode at some point?)

I read Zhaoman's post on this section, but there wasn't any outcome as far as I can see, and might be different in that there were problems with the PC at time of install. If anyone has any ideas, or a checklist that I should be working through as it's driving me mad at the minute. I'm not that technical, so any help anyone can give me would be massively appreciated.

Thanks!

Since this post, I've ran Memtest on one stick twice, and it came back with no errors, and after I logged in to Windows after the restart, it froze again with just that 1 stick of RAM in the machine. Am I right in thinking that, assuming the Memtest result is right, that it is not a RAM related issue?

[mikeo01]

Not entirely. If you had problems trying to install Windows onto the hard drive I'd be pointing at the hard drive or even the SATA cables being dodgy (it does happen quite a lot).

That said could you see if you can get a bootable Linux disc or USB?

Also, this may be worth a check as I'm not completely sure (if you still have the Samsung F1 in your system spec?); I bought a Samsung SpinPoint F3 (newer, older, no idea) and had the same issue on my M5A97 PRO board. Researching told me the hard drive had issues with some AMD chipsets and some symptoms included freezing and all sorts. My issue was it wouldn't get detected but would other times.

Problem is you'd need to flash the hard drive's firmware to do fix it and that doesn't need it's the problem..

Also it's been reported the F1s suffer from some serious PCB issues, so just double check the hard drive's PCB.


Bottom line is if it freezes when installing Windows then it can usually point to the hard drive or SATA cable (unless your CD drive is faulty?)

[opel80uk]

Thanks Mike,

Yeah, it's still the F1 I have. I'll try with a different SATA Cable, and will see if I can dig out another HDD from somewhere and try that.

In the meantime, is there any utility or Hard drive program I can use that might help? I will also see if I can get a linux disk, and try to install it. Although assuming that doesn’t work (or even say it does), what would that tell me?

Any advice is appreciated.

[mikeo01]

Well from your description you've had problems physically writing to the disc. Firstly I'd see if it does in fact freeze at all in safe mode. No freezing in safe mode would probably point to a driver issue (software issues).

Next I'd definitely change SATA cables and also try a different SATA port. Then download CrystalDiskInfo and you'll be greeted with SMART information which could help us with diagnosing the issue; basically info about your drive (hardware issues).

After that we can delve further

[opel80uk]

Well from your description you've had problems physically writing to the disc. Firstly I'd see if it does in fact freeze at all in safe mode. No freezing in safe mode would probably point to a driver issue (software issues).

Next I'd definitely change SATA cables and also try a different SATA port. Then download CrystalDiskInfo and you'll be greeted with SMART information which could help us with diagnosing the issue; basically info about your drive (hardware issues).

After that we can delve further

Thanks for your reply Mike,

I was using safe mode (with networking) for around 3 hours yesterday evening with no freezing, and all was running fine. Then when I restarted in normal mode, within a few minutes it froze again.

I'll try using in safe mode again tonight for a bit, and see how it goes. Will also try different SATA cables, and download the CrystalDiskInfo and post what it says!

Thanks again.

[mikeo01]

No problem glad to help

Fingers crossed this is a simple issue

[herulach]

Have you tried repeating the cpu and checking for bent pins?

[opel80uk]

Have you tried repeating the cpu and checking for bent pins?

Does that mean taking it out and physically checking it?

[opel80uk]

Ok, So here's what I've tried tonight:

Changed SATA Cables - Same result
Changed SATA sockets - Same result
Checked the FX CPU for bent pins - No bent pins
Put in my old 955BE - Interestingly, I've been using the PC with the 955 in it now for around half an hour with no crash yet, which is the longest I've been able to use it so far. I'm doing a bit of surfing, opening and closing folders, and trying to do the same things that I was doing with the FX chip when it was freezing, and it all seems ok. - It's now actually been over an hour

Does anyone know any reasons reasons (besides it being faulty) why the FX chip may be causing the freezes? A setting in the BIOS perhaps? (that is assuming it is the FX CPU - I may just have been lucky with the 955 and I may yet still crash)

[herulach]

I'd check the BIOS is up to date, if its very old stock it might be its not fully compatible with fx CPUs. It should be, but its worth a go.

[opel80uk]

I'd check the BIOS is up to date, if its very old stock it might be its not fully compatible with fx CPUs. It should be, but its worth a go.

I had a look and the BIOS version on my MOBO is 1903 (released 1/8/13) and the FX 8350 has been compatable with BIOS since version 1006 (released 2/11/2011), which was 5 updates ago. Would that really make a difference do you reckon? I've never flashed a BIOS before, so don't wanna run the risk of messing it up unless I have to.......

[mikeo01]

Edit: Ooops read wrong

1903? On the site it doesn't show that one?

FX shouldn't be causing any issues; yes an outdated chipset driver or SATA controller may be causing the issue, however, you stated it froze a lot when you were initially installing Windows. There's a concern right there.

Plus I'm not entirely sure about the F1s, the F3's stock firmware didn't like the newer AMD chipsets. So could be a possibility.


My advice: Keep on with the Phenom for a bit because well it's in there now may as well check it over. You'd be very unlikely to have a faulty FX chip however your also lucky to have a pair AM3 chip lying around to test

[opel80uk]

Edit: Ooops read wrong

1903? On the site it doesn't show that one?

FX shouldn't be causing any issues; yes an outdated chipset driver or SATA controller may be causing the issue, however, you stated it froze a lot when you were initially installing Windows. There's a concern right there.

Plus I'm not entirely sure about the F1s, the F3's stock firmware didn't like the newer AMD chipsets. So could be a possibility.


My advice: Keep on with the Phenom for a bit because well it's in there now may as well check it over. You'd be very unlikely to have a faulty FX chip however your also lucky to have a pair AM3 chip lying around to test

Hi Mike,

Yeah, it's definitely 1903, although I noticed I could find that either on the site?

To give you a bit more info, I left the 955BE in and ran another Windows install. It installed fine first go and have been using the PC over the weekend. Have installed various programs, surfed the net, gamed etc with not a single freeze. I put in the FX CPU however this morning, and the freezing starts again.

Any advice on my next step? WOuld any of the RAM settings be causing the conflict with the new CPU?

Thanks for your help!

[mikeo01]

Ah, here you go: HERE Rev 2.0?

Try flashing it; apparently improved system stability.

You can either flash using ASUS Suite II using the Windows flash utility (not recommended) or simply put the BIOS file onto a USB flash stick and use EzFlash in the BIOS.

Depends on your RAM, is it XMP? What's the frequency? Shouldn't cause an issue at all. The only other thing you can try is simply by changing all the Auto values in the BIOS to manual values that match your specifications


If flashing your BIOS to the latest (2005) doesn't work it may be time to issue an RMA

[opel80uk]

Ah, here you go: HERE Rev 2.0?

Try flashing it; apparently improved system stability.

You can either flash using ASUS Suite II using the Windows flash utility (not recommended) or simply put the BIOS file onto a USB flash stick and use EzFlash in the BIOS.

Depends on your RAM, is it XMP? What's the frequency? Shouldn't cause an issue at all. The only other thing you can try is simply by changing all the Auto values in the BIOS to manual values that match your specifications


If flashing your BIOS to the latest (2005) doesn't work it may be time to issue an RMA

Just a quick update - I ended up flashing the BIOS to 2005 (I didn't notice the dates Scaryjim!) and put in FX CPU. It worked for around an hour, I played a bit of COH, and then when I left the program, started freezing again. So, a friend at work had a spare 8350 that he has lent me to test with, and it's in at the moment. I've been using for around and hour and no freezes, yet!............
I had alreadt tried just using 1 stick of RAM early on, but that didn't make any difference, still kept freezing up. Will be back on no doubt if it freezes again! :-)

Hopefully it is the CPU. I got mine from Amazon, so I presume if it is that, I can get an exchange or something.

[mikeo01]

Well if you've tried two different CPUs (phenom and FX) and they work fine I'd probably say you must be one of the unlucky ones to get a dodgy CPU