Computer freezing after format

orangecat · July 26, 2013

My computer was randomly freezing but no BSOD or anything the screen would just stop updating and everything was like it was on pause. I formatted my PC because I had 100% no clue what was causing it so i assumed it was something to do with software and had no way to diagnose it. i formatted my PC and it still happens. my system is not overclocked at all. I am running what is basically a fresh install of Windows 7 with 90% of the updates installed and a very select few pieces of software. My Main problem is with GTA IV it seems to like to not respond and crash here and there and most likely after that maby 30-60 minutes later my PC freezes up. I know it has nothing to do with GTA IV but that game seems to be very sensitive to whatever it causing my PC to crash. The same has happened with Skyrim also. i assume its a hardware problem and the only thing that needs to be replaced is my PSU because its very old and a cheap brand plus I have loaded it so hard it started to melt once. i don't know if a PSU can cause a system to freeze without shutting down or whatever but I thought I might include that information in there anyways. If you have any idea what might be causing my PC to freeze i would love to hear it also 2 weeks ago i did not have this problem and I have owned my PC for about a year.

Langdon · July 26, 2013

It could be anything really. Either the processor, HDD/SSD, or RAM.

I'd use memtest and test one stick at a time and run it for around 12 to 24 hours and see if it comes up with any errors you'll know it's the RAM. If it comes up with errors on all sticks of RAM, it's probably the processor as it's unlikely for all sticks of RAM to be broken. If there are no errors, I'd guess that it's the SSD/HDD.

There's also the chance that your PSU is failing. Try to borrow A PSU and test it to see if everything still freezes up.

PSU first, then memtest.

orangecat · August 1, 2013

It could be anything really. Either the processor, HDD/SSD, or RAM.

I'd use memtest and test one stick at a time and run it for around 12 to 24 hours and see if it comes up with any errors you'll know it's the RAM. If it comes up with errors on all sticks of RAM, it's probably the processor as it's unlikely for all sticks of RAM to be broken. If there are no errors, I'd guess that it's the SSD/HDD.

There's also the chance that your PSU is failing. Try to borrow A PSU and test it to see if everything still freezes up.

PSU first, then memtest.

My problem with memtest is after it hits 100% it seems to stop like the bar still fills but the area where errors would show up is replaced by a message saying completed or something I don't know how to run memtest for longer.