Computer locks up.

[Will5639]

I've found that my computer locks up from time to time, I think it happens primarly when I have a video game running, but I could have sworn it be when I was working with my audio settings and network settings. Maybe I had one in the background, I honestly don't remember. Video games would be Call of Duty: United Offensive (maybe once) but also World of Warcraft (primarly if I open the map up). I think I did have a freeze once while trying to watch a DVD.

It's not a guaranteed thing, not something I can force to happen. Its unpredictable. The only thing I do notice is when I boot the computer, while originally it could launch and start applications without even a hesitation.. now, especially after I need to force the computer to reboot.. the computer slows down. The first time I launch a program at least, but if I launch the application again it's quick again. Even now as if I type a lot it may be hesitate to show the text on the screen but then catches up with itself. Sometimes if I simply log off [windows] and back in (not even restart) that can help.

I'm posting this with the Win7 forum because I'm really not sure where to begin looking, I'm sincerely hoping you guys have seen this before and can confirm it to be a windows problem, not a hardware problem. When I setup my computer I started installing win7 from scratch, not an upgrade from Vista.

But if it could be a hardware issue, where do i start looking?

i7 920 processor.
evga x58 3x SLI board.
6gb G.Skill memory
evga nvidia GTX 285

 

[mlcloud]

What hard drive are you using and how old is it?

Check your RAM voltages + Termination voltages

i7 clock speed and voltages?

 

[aznguy0028]

just a thought, but if you type the text and it catches up to itself, you might be running a program in the background that is hogging up all your processes. Sometimes memory leaks that like happens and can slow down a system alot.

go to your task manager the next time your system slows down and see if there are any program processes that takes up more 50% of your cpu process then close it and see if that improves.

 

[Will5639]

Western Digital Caviar Black WD7501AALS 750GB ..2 of them, set to RAID-1.

I purchased all components 7/31/2009. Basically 3 weeks ago.

@aznguy0028, I think the text example is a reflection of my entire system behaving slow after a soft reset. For the record no I have little processes running at this time.

 

[Will5639]

What hard drive are you using and how old is it?

Check your RAM voltages + Termination voltages

i7 clock speed and voltages?

Here's a link to my the memory I purchased.. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231225

Cas Latency 9
Timing 9-9-9-24
Voltage 1.5V – 1.6V


A google search had me find cpu-z, heres an image of the memory information.

Now I don't understand timing values, and I did not overclock things. But let me guess numbers are not matching up? If so how do I go about changing things?

 

[mlcloud]

Until we get someone more knowledgeable in here, here's what I've experienced in the past regarding my q9550 + RAM + Hard drive.

Whenever my hard drive was under heavy load, the entire system slows down. Explorer responds slowly, it takes several seconds for My Computer to open, and all sorts of little annoyances occur under load.

Anyway, you're going to have to fiddle with the bios and match up the clock speeds and timings for that RAM (usually done with changing the FSB multiplier with a little CPU overclock/multiplier fiddling here and there), and then make sure the RAM is getting enough voltages. Some BIOS settings will have A/B channel voltages and DRAM termination voltages, I believe its half of the RAMs voltage that you have to set this on, (in this case, 0.75v-0.8v).

When your CPU is in the little grey area where you don't have the right voltage to operate smoothly but still not little enough to cause bluescreens/boot-up problems, I *felt* like I experienced slow downs. Nothing solid here, just me guessing around.

You might also want to run a comprehensive virus/malware check:
http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=35407

When your memory or any of its respective channels/terminations are undervolted, it gives your computer a hellish time. Or at least, that's what I think, because when I raised my termination voltages it felt like it got rid of the little quirks in my computer performance.

And now we wait for someone with more expertise...

Edit1: If you're using vista, there should be a Reliability and Performance monitor tool you should be able to give some information about CPU, harddrive, RAM, and network usage. It'll trace down applications using the most per minute and it might give you some information as to what's causing the slowdowns.

 

[Scotteq]

If we're going to help, we're going to need more information than a vague 'slows down and becomes unresponsive'. Here's some things you can do to help narrow down the possibilities:

Problem reports and Solutions
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/4566-problem-reports-solutions-view-history-details.html

Resource Monitor – Troubleshoot Problem Program
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/12547-resource-monitor-troubleshoot-unresponsive-program.html

Reliability Monitor
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2270-reliabilty-monitor.html

Advanced Boot Options (start in Safe Mode)
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/666-advanced-boot-options.html

Troubleshooting Tool
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/472-troubleshooting.html

Troublehooting History
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/473-troubleshooting-history.html

 

[Will5639]

Well I had to go through the painful process of reformatting my computer and choose this attempt to put Vista on. I tried to update something when using win7 and it just went to hell. Its late right now so I won't drown out a long post I just wanted to mention the OS change.

I'm going to give it an afternoon or two to see how it reacts.

 

[englandr753]

Did you go to the memory manufacturers website and see what the recommended timing and voltages should be set for that specific ram?

The default settings in your BIOS may not be agreeing with your memory.

Just a shot in the dark but definitely something to look at...

 

[Hard Line]

have you tried running memtest 86+? or how about run a check disk? another thing to try if they come out clean, is try orthos or prime95.... see if anything errors