[SOLVED] Windows 7 intermittent freezing after fresh installation

Hello,

I recently tried to upgrade my computer from Windows XP (32-bit) to Windows 7 Ultimate (64-bit). I had to do a clean install, obviously. The installation seems to have worked fine, however, my computer always freezes after a little while of use. It typically freezes within 1-30 minutes of activity. It seems to freeze sooner when I am browsing the Internet, but it also freezes if I simply leave the computer on. It is a complete freeze, whereby I cannot move my mouse or hit ctrl-alt-del to bring up Task Manager. I have to manually restart my computer.

I have completed all Windows 7 Updates, including the optional updates. I have also updated all drivers for each of my components, taking them directly from the manufacturers site. I have also tried to change my HDD settings so that it doesn't turn to standby after inactivity. I also unplugged any hardware that is not necessary, but that doesn't seem to help either. I ran Windows XP flawlessly up til the day I installed W7, so I don't think I have a hardware issue.

I am now out of ideas. Does anyone have suggestions on how I can fix this problem? Do you think my computer is somehow incompatible with 64-bit?

One last note: When I was installing W7, it took a LONG time to recognize my disc and get everything up and running. I know it took extra time, because I attempted to install W7 from a bootable-USB at one point to a different computer, and it was noticeably faster.

Specs:
OS: Windows 7 Ultimate - 64 Bit
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo Processor E8500 (2x 3.16GHz/6MB L2 Cache/1333FSB) )
Motherboard: [CrossFire] Asus P5Q Pro Intel P45 Chipset w/7.1 Sound, Gb LAN, S-ATA Raid, USB 2.0, IEEE-1394, Dual PCI-E MB
RAM: 2 GB [1 GB X2] DDR2-800 PC6400 Memory Module Corsair (Corsair vs1gb800d2)
Video Card: BFG NVIDIA GeForce GTX 275
Hard Drive: Western Digital 500 GB HARD DRIVE [Serial-ATA-II, 3Gb, 7200 RPM, 16M Cache] ) - Not Raid
Hard Drive 2: Western Digital 1TB (Black Caviar) - Not Raid
CD-RW/DVD-RW Drive: LG 20X Dual Format/Double Layer DVD±R/±RW + CD-R/RW
Sound Card: 3D Premium Surround Sound Onboard
Mouse: Razer DeathAdder
Keyboard: PS2 standard

Yes, I have the same problem with my PC(OS Wind 7 64-bit). Windows 7 32- bit and second OC on my PC Linux Ubuntu 64-bit works very good. How to test my PC for compatible with Wind7 64-bit?

Juxtapose, that is interesting that XP worked fine... and you have already disabled all power-saving features? If the computer wasn't compatible with 64bit then it would not have installed. That hardware you listed is fully 64bit capable.

Is there any error messages showing up in your Event Viewer that are showing up with the freezes? I agree that it does not sound like the hardware, but I would still recommend checking the RAM by running two passes of this program: http://www.memtest.org/ Unfortunately if you already installed your chipset and LAN drivers then I'm low on ideas, given that you mentioned you already updated all your drivers from the sources. You might make sure that HPET is set to 64 in your BIOS though, too while you're at it.

This might not be the best way to fix the problem, as I don't know what the issue is exactly, but another install might help. I do a lot of testing on one of my PC's, and I tend to reinstall windows on it almost once a week, I have had the same problem with Vista 64 bit and Windows 7 64 bit. I don't know exactly what the problem is, something missing, installed wrong, or whatever, but another clean install always seems to fix it.

From installing Windows over a thousand times, seems like 1 out of 5 is just a bad install. Only other time I had a problem like this, it was a mouse issue, but my screen would go black right after freezing.

I agree with mattweed9 100% on this, as I've done hundreds of installs, and they don't go right every time, regardless of the OS being installed. I would try another install attempt, this time doing a full format.

Thank you for the leads, guys. I tried to edit my HPET settings first, but it appears that my mobo doesn't have an easy way to change that. Apparently, that's a general complaint with this Asus mobo, in my little research.

I will try a fresh reformat and re-install of Windows 7 again and let you know how it goes. (Fingers crossed).

Hello again. I reinstalled Windows 7 again (and reformatted) and updated the drivers, yet I ran into the same problem of my computer freezing within 30 minutes of use.

However, it took 3 (!!) attempts to get Windows 7 installed again. The computer froze on two attempts to install W7. Once it froze while Windows 7 was working on the second step of the install process (I think it was something like "expanding Windows files"). Another time it froze before it reached the "Windows is starting for the first time" screen.

The install process seems to be very slow, hanging on every step for an abnormal amount of time. For example, when I boot from the disc, it sticks on a blank Windows 7 screen for a few minutes before the startup occurs. Nearly every step hangs longer than expected.

I am at a loss as to what I should do next. Do we have any alternate ideas? Should I flash my BIOS to a more updated version (of available)? Should I try Windows 7 32-bit? Any other ideas? Thanks in advance for all your help.

Unplug the extra hard temporarily, the one you're not installing Windows 7 on.

You may have a dirty DVD laser lens. Find a DVD lens cleaning disc or borrow one and thoroughly clean the lens.

Be sure the install DVD has no fingerprints or scratches on it.

Double-check ALL your connections from the hard drive and DVD drive. Make sure they are seated fully. SATA connections can sometimes wiggle loose rather easily.

I agree with Nibiru2012 on that. A dirty DVD/CD lens can and will screw you up when trying to install an OS. So can a wore out one. I had one that wobbled so bad that you couldn't even burn an ISO file, let alone doing an install. It was a CD ROM, so I upgraded it to a new Dell DVD ROM, and my problem was solved.

Hey guys,

Thanks for the additional advice. I will unplug my second HDD and will make sure my SATA cords are secure.

I do not think the DVD lense will be the problem, because I have 2 different drives. On the next install, I'll try the other disc drive. I will definitely check the disc to make sure it's pristine. As a note, this is a burned disc that I had to create, so it's not going to be as reliable as a factory-disc, if that's a problem.

I'll keep you posted on my 5th attempt. It may be a couple days before I can pull this off. Thanks in advance.