Vista - Having Troubles With New Gamming PC

So I just Build a Gaming PC. and Last week Installed Vista. But it Randomly Dump Crashes, or Freezes to the point were Ctrl - Alt - Del Doesn't even work.

Don't know if its a Software Problem, Or Hardware Problem, HDD Bad? Not enough Power?

List the system specs, and check the performance (Reliability monitor) to see what program/hardware is crashing. You can also use advanced tools to generate a system health report.

type perfmon into start>search bar

So my Reliability Monitor has

Windows Failure - OS stopped working.

no hardware failures

So should I reinstall Vista?

Try a repair or System Restore if a restore point still exists from before the issues occured.
How to repair/create a Vista Recovery disk for those Without a Vista Installation DVD

Make sure you have the latest bios for your mb and the latest chipset drivers installed. Also, all of the important/critical windows updates plus sp1.

How would I go about finding out the resent Bios, and Chipset?

Hi SASlightingGUY,

Welcome to the forum. Browse motherboard manufacture's website with Model number (MotherBoard) and look for BIOS Flash/Update.

I would also recommend CHKDSK (Follow Method ONE) and SFC just to make sure that OS files are not corrupted and then HDD is working good without any bad sectors.

Sometimes it could be due to Anti-Virus software...Disable it and check.

Prasath

Hmmm... BIOS flashing is a bit risky for anyone, might turn your new computer into a paper weight.

Format and reinstall is probably the 'safest' method in this situation but I am bias.

Not knowing your system specs and going by the statement that you just finished building a gaming system, I assume that includes a new mb, cpu and ram. Most mbs are shipped with an outdated bios. Often new bios' resolve cpu and memory compatiblilty problems that can and do cause freezes and bsods. As far as updating a mb bios, I would never try to update with a windows app. Check your mb manual to see how it is recommended. As with Asus mbs there is EZ Flash 2 which is very safe. Put the bios on a flashdrive (formatted with FAT or FAT32) and run EZ Flash from the bios. When it comes up select the flashdrive and then the new bios. Very safe. People start getting into trouble by trying to flash their mbs from the windows operating system using a windows installed app. Now that's a roll of the dice. I've read where people have done it many many times with no problems and also many times where windows has hic-cupped half way through the flash. Now you have problems. Going with dos eliminates the os involvement. Whatever brand of mb you have, between the mfgr's manual and website forum you should find all the info needed to safely flash....if there is a need to.

Also, the mfgr's website support section should have all the latest bios, drivers, utility tools, etc..., for your mb available for download.