Computer intermittently locks up and requires manual restart.

[Kyle Darden]

Okay guys, my computer randomly freezes and displays the last screenshot of what I was working on before the computer crashes. The computer stays running with all the fans and everything the only thing the screen is frozen and I cannot use mouse/keyboard. I don't think this is a monitor issue because the sound cuts off as soon as it freezes.

This has been happening for a very long time now and I am really stumped. Fry's looked at it and recommended upgrading to windows 10, but it did not fix the problem. I'm not getting a blue screen and I am not finding and useful log files.

What I have tried:
BIOS - most current version

GPU- Tried 2 different GPU, both with current driver installed
Tried a different pci slot and connection to PSU
32C idle/70C under load

RAM-memtest has no errors, I have cycled RAM in and out to see if I have a bad stick

CPU- 11C idle/54C (while running prime95)

OS-reformatted at least a dozen times. I have tried win7 and 10.

I have ran virus/malware scans and have no infections. I'm pretty safe online I really don't think this would be the problem any way.

Throw out ideas at this point I'll try anything honestly.

System Specs:
AMD Fx-9590
corsair H100 cooling
ASUS crosshair V formula-z
EVGA gtx 660 (currently installed)
ASUS gtx 970 (currently getting RMAd)
4x2g corsair 1333mhz
250gb samsung ssd
corsair 750W PSU
corsair 780t graphite series case

TLDR-computer freezes and I've ran out of ideas.

 

[Kyle Darden]

Yeah sorry I meant 8GB. I have 4x2GB and 2x8Gb. I'll give one of the 8GB a shot and see where we are. I really appreciate you sticking around through all this.

 

[Lutfij]

Just trying to help, that's all.

 

[Jo_Hardy]

I have the exact same issue. Computer started randomly freezing up since last month, shows the last sceenshot like you describe and even the keyboard doesn't work (numlock etc) and after staying like that for a few minutes (maybe 3-8 mins) the system abruptly turns off, does it turn off for you also?

My system specs;

Core i5 3470
Gigabyte B75m-d3h
Corsair vengeance 2x4 GB, 1600 MHz, 9-9-9-24
Gigabyte gtx 660 windforce oc (temps rarely go over 65 C)
SeaSonic S12II 520 W

I followed this thread about 24 hours ago and ran memtest for 7 passes without error and weirdly after that my PC ran without freezing for the last 12.5 hours, but then froze. And froze again within 10 mins, so then ran it on full load encoding a video while running gpuz'srender test and it lasted longer, about 25 mins. So safe to say load doesn't have an effect on when it freezes. Now running memtest again for 17 passes (partly to see if it can freeze while running memtest, dunno why it doesnt freeze with it).

I sometimes have a graphics card coming loose issue, in it however the screen would get purple squares and freeze. Was rectified by tying the graphics card to the top of the case to prevent the card from moving down due to gravity to give it better contact with the pci express slot. So this could be a result of a faulty/worn pci express slot also i guess. So highest on my suspects list are motherboard, then psu, then ram (maybe some fault memtest cant pick up?)

memtest of 7 passes with no errors

The purple squares thing when my graphics card is loose, the screen is frozen

 

[jmnorthern]

Why was the GTX 970 RMA'd?

I know you don't have money to waste, and that's a $200 Dollar MB on Amazon, BUT, how much will it cost to have a shop test it? Only to find out you need a MB.

Maybe you could research a less expensive board or spring for a new ASUS crosshair V formula-z.

 

[Kyle Darden]

@Jo_Hardy, yeah same thing for me dude except I haven't noticed any purple squares or that it has eventually turned off. Usually I turn it off pretty quick because I'm not sure if any components could be getting damaged or not. I also tied my GTX 970 with fishing line because the card sags. I wanted to point out that I have tried different PCI slots (not sure if this would pertain to your problem or not). I haven't manually checked my voltages on the PSU, but they are spot on in the bios settings. I'm thinking that its the motherboard, but I cant test out my other board until after this week because of exams.

Also, have you noticed the crashes/freezings occurring more at certain temperatures? I can't really put a number to it, but mine seems to freeze up more when it's hotter weather.



@jmnorthern, the GTX 970 was RMA'd because one of the fans would not kick on under a load. I even tried to manually throttle the fans to 100%, but only one would turn on. I was thinking this was the issue, but after using my brothers spare 660, the same thing is still happening. I agree about thinking about another one and like I could spend the money, but I'm really just nervous spending money in case that isn't the problem. I think I'll ask around for prices then call ASUS and see if they will RMA/troubleshoot with me. I also have an old board with an i5 I'm gong to try out pretty soon. It's messed up, but it runs perfect until its shut down (then I need to reset CMOS to get it to post again).

Thanks both of you guys for posting, I'm hoping this can be resolved soon, but I'm thinking it will be a few weeks. I'll keep updating this as I go (partially because it helps me keep track, haha).

 

[jmnorthern]

Yes, It would be great the know how it works out for you !

 

[Kyle Darden]

Yes, It would be great the know how it works out for you !

Thanks, I hope it works out soon! I've seen a ton of these posts, so hopefully others can read through this and diagnose their problems as well.

 

[Kyle Darden]

As soon as I can I'm trying out another PSU. I always wear headphones while on the computer so I haven't noticed this before, but every time I load into a game the PSU is making a bunch of chirping noises. The fan is on, so I'm thinking some of the capacitors are having a failure.

 

[Jo_Hardy]

@Jo_Hardy, yeah same thing for me dude except I haven't noticed any purple squares or that it has eventually turned off. Usually I turn it off pretty quick because I'm not sure if any components could be getting damaged or not. I also tied my GTX 970 with fishing line because the card sags. I wanted to point out that I have tried different PCI slots (not sure if this would pertain to your problem or not). I haven't manually checked my voltages on the PSU, but they are spot on in the bios settings. I'm thinking that its the motherboard, but I cant test out my other board until after this week because of exams.

Also, have you noticed the crashes/freezings occurring more at certain temperatures? I can't really put a number to it, but mine seems to freeze up more when it's hotter weather.



@jmnorthern, the GTX 970 was RMA'd because one of the fans would not kick on under a load. I even tried to manually throttle the fans to 100%, but only one would turn on. I was thinking this was the issue, but after using my brothers spare 660, the same thing is still happening. I agree about thinking about another one and like I could spend the money, but I'm really just nervous spending money in case that isn't the problem. I think I'll ask around for prices then call ASUS and see if they will RMA/troubleshoot with me. I also have an old board with an i5 I'm gong to try out pretty soon. It's messed up, but it runs perfect until its shut down (then I need to reset CMOS to get it to post again).

Thanks both of you guys for posting, I'm hoping this can be resolved soon, but I'm thinking it will be a few weeks. I'll keep updating this as I go (partially because it helps me keep track, haha).

Ah the purple squares happen due to my graphics card sagging like your 970 did. Tied it and that was solved, great coincidence that you'd had that problem as well. Anyway i don't have anyone i could test my components on atm, so thinking of giving to a PC shop and asking them to test. Also the machine freezes even when running mem86 so i know it isn't some OS issue.

Hope we can fix this :/

 

[Lutfij]

I've been seeing this issue as well and apparently the issue cropped up with both old and new system's. It's also happening for system's lower than Windows 10 and after the latest drivers.

I just hope you got some headway with a different PSU...?

 

[Kyle Darden]

I've been seeing this issue as well and apparently the issue cropped up with both old and new system's. It's also happening for system's lower than Windows 10 and after the latest drivers.

I just hope you got some headway with a different PSU...?

Yeah I tried a brand new PSU since they said I can return it if it doesn't fix my problem. PC lasted in WoW for 2hrs then froze. I'm going to reapply thermal paste reseat heat sink and if it's still broke RMA mobo.

 

[Lutfij]

Good luck+Keep us posted!

*Brand new PSU of the same make and model?

 

[Jo_Hardy]

I've been seeing this issue as well and apparently the issue cropped up with both old and new system's. It's also happening for system's lower than Windows 10 and after the latest drivers.

I just hope you got some headway with a different PSU...?

Yeah I tried a brand new PSU since they said I can return it if it doesn't fix my problem. PC lasted in WoW for 2hrs then froze. I'm going to reapply thermal paste reseat heat sink and if it's still broke RMA mobo.

How did it go? I have tried with a friends PSU of the same make and model (seasonic s12ii 520w) but my PC froze, so can safely eliminate the PSU being at fault. So it's either motherboard or cpu at this point and i have no way of checking without buying.

 

[Jo_Hardy]

For anyone browsing this for an answer, I eventually replaced my motherboard (with a new board of the same model in my case) and that fixed the issue.