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System started freezing randomly

Running Windows 7 Professional SP-1 32-bit, the system has started to freeze, randomly, since yesterday. No new hardware or software has been installed. Freezing happens randomly, not consistently with any application or activity, and requires rebooting. Checkdsk found no problems on the system drive. All the components are new: Asus P8H67-M PRO/CSM (REV 3.0) (Socket 1155) with the latest bios, Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz 6MB Cache, LGA 1155, (4) Corsair Vengeance 4GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800); (2) IDE HDD: WD 3200JB 320 GB (Master) + WD5000AAKB 500 GB (Slave); SATA HDD: WD30EZRX 3TB; SATA REV 35GB USB Drive. Using the Western Digital diagnostic tool, all hard drives passed a quick test. Using Intel's CPU testing utility, the CPU passed all tests. Restoring the system drive with an image saved from before this issue, the issue persisted.

I suspect a hardware problem, but I'd appreciate some guidance about how to troubleshoot this systematically.

Thank you.

John

Get memtest86.exe and run at least two full passes with this to see if a memory error. That could cause what you see.

Then get TDSS Killer to look for root kit viruses that have similar symptoms.

ddantes

ASKER

Thank you John. I'll start with memtest86. I use Norton Security and Malwarebytes, so I think infection is less likely. I'll post after testing.

dbrunton

Does freezing occur if NOT on a network?

And can you describe your freezing? Computer locking up totally or just slowing down temporarily?

David Johnson, CD

check your event logs for disk events. most freezes are caused by disk events

nobus

i would also test BOTH disk drives, use the WD lifeguard to test them ( long test)

https://support.wdc.com/downloads.aspx?p=3&lang=en

Gerwin Jansen

Power supply could be the issue as well. By the specs, the system is a couple of years old, right? If possible, can you try / swap with a known good power supply?

nobus

that's right; it can also be you are overloading the PS
you can calculate the powe r you need here : http://extreme.outervision.com/psucalculatorlite.jsp
also, keep in mind that a PS tends to have a lower output over the years

ddantes

ASKER

Thanks to all experts for comments. The power supply, and every other component, is new. The power supply is amply rated for this system. All hard drives were tested with the WDC utility. I will check the event log, run TDSS Killer and post again. The freezing occurs suddenly, and is a total freeze. I have not tried disconnecting the network.

John

Keep us posted. Also results from memtest as RAM can and does fail

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nobus

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ddantes

ASKER

OK, I will try that too. Thank you. Memtest 86 found no errors after four passes. TDSS Killer found no threats.

Gerwin Jansen

So a whole lot of stuff is new? New CPU as well? Did you mount the CPU properly with the right amount of heat conductive paste between CPU and heatsink? It may the be CPU that is overheating and causing the freezes.

ddantes

ASKER

Thank you. Every component is new, although they may have been on the shelf for a few years. The CPU is mounted properly, and the core temps range from 39-42 C.

ddantes

ASKER

Event viewer snap-in doesn't work. Previously, I tried fixing it for a few days, including an in-place Windows upgrade/repair, without success. Burn-in test showed all tests passed. Non-Microsoft services and all startup programs have been disabled with MsConfig, and I'm testing to see if the system still freezes.

Robert Retzer

Check for bulging or leaking capacitors on the mobo. Just because the power supply is new it still could be faulty that is why there is a warranty.

ddantes

ASKER

OK. At the moment, I'm waiting to see if the system still freezes, after disabling startup programs and services in MsConfig. It's been around two hours, and it hasn't frozen yet.

nobus

don't forget to try burnin test too..
you can also test by booting from a live cd like knoppix

ddantes

ASKER

Yes, I reported above that burnin tests were all passed.
The system has been up for seventeen hours, without freezing, since disabling items in MsConfig. Before taking that step, the system would freeze within an hour of rebooting. It will take time to isolate the specific startup program or service which caused the problem. I'm going to close this question with Nobus' solution, and thanks to all other participants.

ddantes

ASKER

Thanks to all!

nobus

glad i could help you with this