What can cause a PC to randomly completely freeze?

[Elliot B.]

I am having this issue.

I believe it's usually due to bad RAM, yes?

If I do have a bad RAM stick, how can I test it and produce proof so that I can show the retailer the stick is dodgy?

[Brandon H Supervisor]

memtest86

[Elliot B.]

memtest86

I have 2x 4 GB sticks.

Am I right in thinking I should remove all non-essential hardware (TV tuners etc.) and test one RAM stick at a time (by removing the other one) overnight?

EDIT: Oh, I don't have a CD writer or any blank media so I can not use "Memtest86" according to the download page.

[fusi0n]

memory. run memtest then start removing hardware one by one

[Elliot B.]

memory. run memtest then start removing hardware one by one

Wouldn't it be more effective to remove all non-essential hardware first?

Then removing one RAM stick so that Memtest86 only tests one stick at a time? (help to find which one is defective)

[Brandon H Supervisor]

I have 2x 4 GB sticks.

Am I right in thinking I should remove all non-essential hardware (TV tuners etc.) and test one RAM stick at a time (by removing the other one) overnight?

EDIT: Oh, I don't have a CD writer or any blank media so I can not use "Memtest86" according to the download page.

do you have a flash-drive? you should be able to set up a bootable flash-drive with it on it if you do

edit: here, download the auto installer for usb http://www.memtest.org/#downiso

[Hum]

Always take out, and Reseat your RAM before running tests.

RAM sticks that are not tight can give you a false Memtest reading.

Happened to me.

Also, Windows 7 comes with a built-in Memory tester.

[Rigby]

Check your hard drive for bad sectors also. Make sure your fans are running and everything is clean in case it's an overheating issue.

[Elliot B.]

do you have a flash-drive? you should be able to set up a bootable flash-drive with it on it if you do

The download page shows "Ver 4.0a - USB key image (Only installable from Linux)" so I am not sure - I am running Windows.

Always Reseat your RAM before running tests.

RAM sticks that are not tight can give you a false Memtest reading.

Happened to me.

Thanks! I will do this :)

Check your hard drive for bad sectors also. Make sure your fans are running and everything is clean in case it's an overheating issue.

My primary drive is an SSD. Also, my PC is very cool.

[Billmaster]

The motherboard itself can be bad.

[Brandon H Supervisor]

here's the memtest86 usb installer for windows http://www.memtest.org/#downiso

it's the auto installer

[Elliot B.]

The motherboard itself can be bad.

Is there a way to test this?

I am presuming not :/

[Hum]

^ There are system testers, if you do a Search.

http://www.freshdevices.com/freshdiag.html

Heavyload is a freeware program that is intended to stress all resources of a PC ...

http://www.brighthub.com/computing/hardware/articles/72433.aspx

[Brandon H Supervisor]

any luck king?

[Jub]

Possibly unrelated, but this system completely freezes if I use *any* drivers apart from Catalyst 8.951 WHQL for my Radeon HD 7970.

In other words, have you changed any drivers for any of your hardware recently? Have you tried updating/reverting drivers?

Also, check your PSU if the RAM checks out.

[Wakers]

In my experience freezing is hardware failure almost 100% time. More specifically, it is overheating.

AMD drivers are commonly bad for newly released cards. Stick with one that works and is stable until they've updated it a few times. It could be that the drivers are not controlling the fan / core / memory properly.

[Brandon H Supervisor]

bump

King Mustard?

[Elliot B.]

bump

King Mustard?

I took out my TV tuner a few days ago (not sure why I was suspicious of this) and so far - no freezes. I'll keep you updated!

[Brandon H Supervisor]

I took out my TV tuner a few days ago (not sure why I was suspicious of this) and so far - no freezes. I'll keep you updated!

yeah, I've seen bad TV tuner drivers cause some weird issues before, so I would not be surprised in the least if that's what was causing your issues