Vista - Random Freezing

Hi I'm brand new here, and i was searching the internet for a solution to this problem. I have just built my computer about two or three weeks ago with all brand new stuff. I installed Vista Ultimate x32 on it (though i would like 64) and just started having this problem recently. Now, I am not new at working with hardware, but I dont know a whole lot, such as things involving working with voltage. Anyways, here are my computer specs, and hopefully someone can help me out:

Motherboard: ASUS P5QC
CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 with a CoolerMaster Hyper TX2 cooling unit
PSU: CoolerMaster Real Power Pro 750W
HDD: One Samsung SP2514N 250GB (EIDE with a IDE to Sata connector)
Video card: NVidia GeForce 7600GS 256MB (oldest part of my system i know)
RAM: Micron Technology 2x2GB DDR2 (supposed to run at 1066MHz or 1110MHz i think, but SIW says 555MHz)
Adapter: Linksys wireless G pci adapter
Sound: Creative Sound Blaster Audigy

I hope this is enough to help!

Hi lordbob75, welcome to the board.

Have you done all the routine checks such as update BIOS (this may help you fix the fbs), chipset driver update and update your graphic driver through NVidia website instead of window update.

Run a memtest and chkdsk see if they are ok.

Make sure SATA cable is secure by wiggle, shake, and tug on the connector at the HDD. Replace it with aftermarket one when you have a chance. Swap SATA ports. Bad ports, cables and loosen cable is a known cause for random freezing. I was tortured by it for a long time until I replaced the SATA cables.

Well, hope nothing serious. Good luck and post back.

Hello lordbob75,

Welcome to the forums.

If this is a fairly recent problem you might give this a try. System Restore - How to

Hope it helps.
Gary

Hey thanks for the quick replies! I don't actually know where the chkdisk is or memtest... How do I run those? Also after reading about similar problems, I should mention I don't get BSD my computer completely freezes at wherever it was and the sounds loops itself and my keyboard and mouse both shut off. Also when I restart my computer it hangs at the bios screen... Only when it restarts.

Also, I looked on the NVidia site for vista drvers, and there are none. If this is just a problem with vista ultimate, should I just change it to home or something?

You can either run the memtest that comes with vista or you can download it from here.

Memtest86.com - Memory Diagnostic

Vista memtest

Memory Diagnostics Tool

well i tried the vista memchk and it ran, but it never told me if it found any errors. I'm trying to get the memtest86 to run but its not very user friendly... Ok it looks like i just got the results:

Product
Windows Memory Diagnostics Tool

Problem
Memory test results reported

Date
12/6/2008 5:51 AM

Status
Not Reported

Description
The results of running the Windows Memory Diagnostics Tool were submitted to Microsoft for analysis and product improvement

Problem signature
Problem Event Name: MemDiagV1
Range of memory size: 3328
Launch type: Manual
Schedule type: Deferred
Completion type: Pass
Test type: Custom
Failed tests: 0
Range of number of bad pages: 0
Test duration in seconds: 5040
OS Version: 6.0.6001.2.1.0.256.1
Locale ID: 1033

Files that help describe the problem
MemDiag.bin


Not exactly sure what it all means, but im guessing its not good...

All right. I just got sick of the problem, and got Vista Ultimate x64, and it works great now.
Thanks for the help.

Glad you've got things running smooth.

Have Fun!
Gary