Comments on: System freezing up? Check your hardware http://www.edbott.com/weblog/2006/08/system-freezing-up-check-your-hardware/ I write stuff. Mostly about Windows. Sometimes I get paid for it. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 01:55:06 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Louis Sabet http://www.edbott.com/weblog/2006/08/system-freezing-up-check-your-hardware/comment-page-1/#comment-154569 Louis Sabet Mon, 19 Feb 2007 10:01:21 +0000 http://www.edbott.com/weblog/?p=1451#comment-154569 I feel I should add that it's possible some of the freezes people are experiencing (and there seem to be quite a lot of people, myself included who are experiencing them) could be down to early/flaky drivers. I've checked everything in my machine. New HD, swapped DIMMS, replaced GPU, disabled onboard sound, removed unnecessary cards, USB devices, everything, and still I get random freezes. XP never once failed for me, so I'll be using that for a while until I get to the bottom of it. My current theory is motherboard drivers, since they're the only thing I've not been able to try/replace (none available from what I can tell). Theoretically a driver failure would result in a BSOD (as I understand it), as that's what happened with XP, which at least allowed you to diagnose the problem, but all I get with Vista is freezes, and a corresponding big fat nothing in the event log. It's true that this type of freeze is highly likely to be hardware related, but given that the drivers are fairly closely involved in the kernel's ability to do anything useful with the system, if they keel over in an unexpected way, it's possible the kernel itself might keel over in an unexpected way too. Feel free to blast my theories back down to earth :-) I feel I should add that it’s possible some of the freezes people are experiencing (and there seem to be quite a lot of people, myself included who are experiencing them) could be down to early/flaky drivers.

I’ve checked everything in my machine. New HD, swapped DIMMS, replaced GPU, disabled onboard sound, removed unnecessary cards, USB devices, everything, and still I get random freezes.

XP never once failed for me, so I’ll be using that for a while until I get to the bottom of it.

My current theory is motherboard drivers, since they’re the only thing I’ve not been able to try/replace (none available from what I can tell).

Theoretically a driver failure would result in a BSOD (as I understand it), as that’s what happened with XP, which at least allowed you to diagnose the problem, but all I get with Vista is freezes, and a corresponding big fat nothing in the event log.

It’s true that this type of freeze is highly likely to be hardware related, but given that the drivers are fairly closely involved in the kernel’s ability to do anything useful with the system, if they keel over in an unexpected way, it’s possible the kernel itself might keel over in an unexpected way too.

Feel free to blast my theories back down to earth :-)

]]> By: Jackie Gleason http://www.edbott.com/weblog/2006/08/system-freezing-up-check-your-hardware/comment-page-1/#comment-154564 Jackie Gleason Sat, 17 Feb 2007 19:08:04 +0000 http://www.edbott.com/weblog/?p=1451#comment-154564 I might have to argue this theory as I have 2 computers both running Vista and both seem to be freezing up due to Pandora. Not sure what the issue is but it seems to be a software. It freezes up in both Mozilla and Firefox and the machines are a compaq, and a custom. At first I thought it had something to do with my GeForce MX 4000 card but now I do not think so. Sucks cause I LOVE PANDORA! I might have to argue this theory as I have 2 computers both running Vista and both seem to be freezing up due to Pandora. Not sure what the issue is but it seems to be a software. It freezes up in both Mozilla and Firefox and the machines are a compaq, and a custom. At first I thought it had something to do with my GeForce MX 4000 card but now I do not think so. Sucks cause I LOVE PANDORA!

]]> By: Ogden http://www.edbott.com/weblog/2006/08/system-freezing-up-check-your-hardware/comment-page-1/#comment-154378 Ogden Mon, 29 Jan 2007 19:36:32 +0000 http://www.edbott.com/weblog/?p=1451#comment-154378 I HAVE a similar problem ... XP just freezes ... I had two 512 MB RAM sticks installed .. microsoft's windiag utility didn't show any errors on any of my RAM sticks .... Yesterday I removed one of the memory sticks and computer didn't freeze for the next 24 hours ... after that I replaced that stick with the other stick that I thought was faulty ... and still no freeze ups after 6 hours ..... My computer used to freeze in maximum 2.5 hours with the two sticks installed .... I HAVE a similar problem … XP just freezes … I had two 512 MB RAM sticks installed .. microsoft’s windiag utility didn’t show any errors on any of my RAM sticks ….
Yesterday I removed one of the memory sticks and computer didn’t freeze for the next 24 hours … after that I replaced that stick with the other stick that I thought was faulty … and still no freeze ups after 6 hours ….. My computer used to freeze in maximum 2.5 hours with the two sticks installed ….

]]> By: Dave http://www.edbott.com/weblog/2006/08/system-freezing-up-check-your-hardware/comment-page-1/#comment-154084 Dave Thu, 28 Dec 2006 19:00:10 +0000 http://www.edbott.com/weblog/?p=1451#comment-154084 I too had random windows XP freeze ups. This article was an interesting read and when I pulled 1GB out and saw my PC run without lockups on the 1GB left I was impressed. It is nice to see someone adding value to the net instead of regurgitating things elsewhere. Thanks a lot. I too had random windows XP freeze ups. This article was an interesting read and when I pulled 1GB out and saw my PC run without lockups on the 1GB left I was impressed. It is nice to see someone adding value to the net instead of regurgitating things elsewhere.

Thanks a lot.

]]> By: Jim Minatel: ASP.NET, XML, CSS, Ajax Book Editor http://www.edbott.com/weblog/2006/08/system-freezing-up-check-your-hardware/comment-page-1/#comment-138332 Jim Minatel: ASP.NET, XML, CSS, Ajax Book Editor Wed, 06 Sep 2006 00:17:35 +0000 http://www.edbott.com/weblog/?p=1451#comment-138332 <strong>Bad RAM, Ed Bott, and Upgrading and Repairing PCs</strong> Allow me for a moment to digress from Wrox and get back to one of my old all-time favorite books from a former employer, Upgrading and Repairing PCs (pick any edition) by Scott Mueller. Super-Windows sleuth Ed Bott was commenting Bad RAM, Ed Bott, and Upgrading and Repairing PCs

Allow me for a moment to digress from Wrox and get back to one of my old all-time favorite books from a former employer, Upgrading and Repairing PCs (pick any edition) by Scott Mueller. Super-Windows sleuth Ed Bott was commenting

]]> By: Joseph http://www.edbott.com/weblog/2006/08/system-freezing-up-check-your-hardware/comment-page-1/#comment-137869 Joseph Mon, 04 Sep 2006 21:13:05 +0000 http://www.edbott.com/weblog/?p=1451#comment-137869 Could it be that Windows Live One Care isn't necessarily the problem, but rather that program revealed a hardware problem (e.g. maybe a piece of bad RAM is only being hit when that program is running)? Could it be that Windows Live One Care isn’t necessarily the problem, but rather that program revealed a hardware problem (e.g. maybe a piece of bad RAM is only being hit when that program is running)?

]]> By: Mike Dimmick http://www.edbott.com/weblog/2006/08/system-freezing-up-check-your-hardware/comment-page-1/#comment-137698 Mike Dimmick Mon, 04 Sep 2006 08:45:11 +0000 http://www.edbott.com/weblog/?p=1451#comment-137698 MrG: if the hardware supports it, Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition supports hot-add memory (reference: http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/system/pnppwr/hotadd/hotaddmem.mspx). Virtually any server with SCSI, SATA or Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) drives supports hot-swap of disks, although of course if you're not to lose any data, the disks must be part of a fault-tolerant set. If you're running Exchange Server, it's recommended to disable hot-add memory support. Exchange has some pretty serious memory management issues, so it's best to a) dedicate a server to running Exchange and b) follow all of Microsoft's memory configuration recommendations. MrG: if the hardware supports it, Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition supports hot-add memory (reference: http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/system/pnppwr/hotadd/hotaddmem.mspx). Virtually any server with SCSI, SATA or Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) drives supports hot-swap of disks, although of course if you’re not to lose any data, the disks must be part of a fault-tolerant set.

If you’re running Exchange Server, it’s recommended to disable hot-add memory support. Exchange has some pretty serious memory management issues, so it’s best to a) dedicate a server to running Exchange and b) follow all of Microsoft’s memory configuration recommendations.

]]> By: MrG http://www.edbott.com/weblog/2006/08/system-freezing-up-check-your-hardware/comment-page-1/#comment-137428 MrG Sun, 03 Sep 2006 11:11:34 +0000 http://www.edbott.com/weblog/?p=1451#comment-137428 Wow! Bob. What is your secret? 'I have a Dell PowerEdge 600SC server running Windows Server 2003. It’s about 3-1/2 years old, and it has been running nonstop with virtually no problems for all that time. Over the years, I’ve added some big hard drives, and about a year and a half ago I replaced the original 2GB of RAM with 4GB so I could run multiple virtual machines on this box.' How did you replace the hard drives and RAM with out powering the system down? I think we should be told. This could revolutionise tech support : ) Wow! Bob. What is your secret?

‘I have a Dell PowerEdge 600SC server running Windows Server 2003. It’s about 3-1/2 years old, and it has been running nonstop with virtually no problems for all that time. Over the years, I’ve added some big hard drives, and about a year and a half ago I replaced the original 2GB of RAM with 4GB so I could run multiple virtual machines on this box.’

How did you replace the hard drives and RAM with out powering the system down? I think we should be told. This could revolutionise tech support : )

]]> By: Claus Valca http://www.edbott.com/weblog/2006/08/system-freezing-up-check-your-hardware/comment-page-1/#comment-137218 Claus Valca Sat, 02 Sep 2006 16:44:21 +0000 http://www.edbott.com/weblog/?p=1451#comment-137218 Ed, In a timely coincidence, my Dad brought me his XP system that was locking up bad just after he logged onto his desktop. Through a lengthy troubleshooting session, I ended up hunting down the culprit as being Microsoft's Automatic Updates process (wuauclt.exe). I also worked out a "workaround" for him. Don't know if this will help you, but it was very enlightening. I posted an extensive log of the troubleshooting steps on my blog: <a href="http://grandstreamdreams.blogspot.com/2006/09/thawing-xp-system.html" rel="nofollow">Thawing an XP System</a> --Claus Ed,

In a timely coincidence, my Dad brought me his XP system that was locking up bad just after he logged onto his desktop.

Through a lengthy troubleshooting session, I ended up hunting down the culprit as being Microsoft’s Automatic Updates process (wuauclt.exe). I also worked out a “workaround” for him.

Don’t know if this will help you, but it was very enlightening.

I posted an extensive log of the troubleshooting steps on my blog:

Thawing an XP System

–Claus

]]> By: Andrew http://www.edbott.com/weblog/2006/08/system-freezing-up-check-your-hardware/comment-page-1/#comment-137117 Andrew Sat, 02 Sep 2006 07:03:14 +0000 http://www.edbott.com/weblog/?p=1451#comment-137117 Ed, Excellent post. System Freezes in Windows 2000, XP and 2003 are almost always hardware related since these version of windows are very recoverable from software errors. This has been one of my longest issues getting through to people. You have no idea how many people blame Microsoft for their defective hardware. Overclockers are notorious. Which is why I made a simply troubleshooting guide: http://mywebpages.comcast.net/SupportCD/DiagnoseXP.html Ed,

Excellent post. System Freezes in Windows 2000, XP and 2003 are almost always hardware related since these version of windows are very recoverable from software errors. This has been one of my longest issues getting through to people. You have no idea how many people blame Microsoft for their defective hardware. Overclockers are notorious. Which is why I made a simply troubleshooting guide:

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/SupportCD/DiagnoseXP.html

]]> By: Max http://www.edbott.com/weblog/2006/08/system-freezing-up-check-your-hardware/comment-page-1/#comment-136974 Max Fri, 01 Sep 2006 19:18:41 +0000 http://www.edbott.com/weblog/?p=1451#comment-136974 I still wouldn't rule out Windows One Care as the source. I had the same problem(s): repeated random freeze-ups w/BSOD. I tore out my hair trying to figure it out - checking hardware, memory, Event Viewer for clues, etc. Uninstalling One Care solved the problem two months ago. I really think that is a buggy program that should still be in beta. I still wouldn’t rule out Windows One Care as the source. I had the same problem(s): repeated random freeze-ups w/BSOD. I tore out my hair trying to figure it out – checking hardware, memory, Event Viewer for clues, etc. Uninstalling One Care solved the problem two months ago. I really think that is a buggy program that should still be in beta.

]]> By: Serdar http://www.edbott.com/weblog/2006/08/system-freezing-up-check-your-hardware/comment-page-1/#comment-136781 Serdar Fri, 01 Sep 2006 04:54:57 +0000 http://www.edbott.com/weblog/?p=1451#comment-136781 Spot on as always, Ed. I've found that random lockups with no corresponding dump are almost always caused by bad memory (or a bad / flaky video card), a faulty power supply or a hard drive going south. I've had all three in different measures over time, so I've gotten used to the "feel" (the pattern of failure) in each as well... Spot on as always, Ed. I’ve found that random lockups with no corresponding dump are almost always caused by bad memory (or a bad / flaky video card), a faulty power supply or a hard drive going south. I’ve had all three in different measures over time, so I’ve gotten used to the “feel” (the pattern of failure) in each as well…

]]> By: Mark http://www.edbott.com/weblog/2006/08/system-freezing-up-check-your-hardware/comment-page-1/#comment-136729 Mark Fri, 01 Sep 2006 01:57:11 +0000 http://www.edbott.com/weblog/?p=1451#comment-136729 I had the same problem about 6 months ago. Unexplained crashes, freeze ups. Think Ed suggested I try checking the memory, which I did and sure enough - a bad RAM chip, which I replaced and all has been well ever since. Mark I had the same problem about 6 months ago. Unexplained crashes, freeze ups. Think Ed suggested I try checking the memory, which I did and sure enough – a bad RAM chip, which I replaced and all has been well ever since.

Mark

]]> By: System freezing up? Check your RAM! » The PC Doctor http://www.edbott.com/weblog/2006/08/system-freezing-up-check-your-hardware/comment-page-1/#comment-136613 System freezing up? Check your RAM! » The PC Doctor Thu, 31 Aug 2006 19:21:39 +0000 http://www.edbott.com/weblog/?p=1451#comment-136613 [...] Ed Bott  looks at how a faulty RAM module can cause your system to crash and freeze up: [...] [...] Ed Bott  looks at how a faulty RAM module can cause your system to crash and freeze up: [...]

]]> By: Carl http://www.edbott.com/weblog/2006/08/system-freezing-up-check-your-hardware/comment-page-1/#comment-136519 Carl Thu, 31 Aug 2006 14:52:11 +0000 http://www.edbott.com/weblog/?p=1451#comment-136519 Just to clarify - the things that Ed talks about are a lot more likely, but if one of those doesn't clear it up, look at the power supply. Just to clarify – the things that Ed talks about are a lot more likely, but if one of those doesn’t clear it up, look at the power supply.

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