Windows 8.1 Program Crashes and Hangs System

Shark With A Laser · September 15, 2015

Hi all,

I'm not actually sure if it's Windows 8.1, but based on some Googling, I suspect it might be my OS.

For background, I am currently on Windows 8.1 with all of the latest updates installed. My hardware is linked in my profile if that might help in the problem isolation, but I don't think it's my hardware either. I've reseated all of my components and checked cable connections just in case. I have an Nvidia GPU with the latest update installed as well, but I doubt this is an issue as well. Though I would note that in my attempts to update my GPU driver I was repeatedly getting this hanging error.

Anyway, onto my problem. In the past 10 days (this has not happened prior) I've been experiencing a problem with my computer where a program will crash and I am unable to access any other parts of my system. I cannot access the task manager whenever I use CTRL+ALT+DEL and I can't even get the Command Prompt to open using Windows Key + X and then A. Nothing works and I'm basically forced to restart my system using the power button.

I don't think it's isolated to any one particular program either. I've had it crash shortly after boot-up when just loading chrome. I've had it crash when just opening Corsair's CUE software, crash with Nvidia GeForce experience, crash when watching a simple YouTube Video, crash when I play WoW, etc. It seems random.

I've tried some of these following suggestions so far that I've found by trying to Google and none of them seemed to have worked:

Setting task manager to "Always on Top" (Task Manager still won't open)
Control Panel > System and Security > Adminstrative Tools > Task Scheduler > Task Scheduler Library > Setting all programs to "Configure for Windows 8.1"
SFC.exe /scannow
1. This function actually finds errors in my system, but when I try some of the follow up programs, nothing helps, e.g:
2. Dism.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /ScanHealth
3. Dism.exe /Online Cleanup-image /StartComponentCleanUp
4. Dism.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /restorehealth

Solutions?

At this point I'm thinking of just reformatting my boot drive and reinstalling Windows 8.1. My games and all my other files I can back-up on to my other separate SSDs and I guess disconnect them while I reformat my computer from my Windows 8.1 disk? (these SSDs were taken from my old computer and seemed to operate without issue without me having to reinstall all the games).

ZenPrime · September 15, 2015

do you already tried to refresh the windows 8.1?

or you already reformat everything?

Shark With A Laser · September 15, 2015

do you already tried to refresh the windows 8.1?

or you already reformat everything?

I have not tried a reformat yet. I was hoping to avoid this, but I think it may be the next best thing to try.

Alternatively my Windows 10 "upgrade" is ready and I've thought about trying that too, but last I read there were issues with Win 10 and SLI not working right (my 2nd 980 Ti arrives today) so I'm weary of pursuing that path. I'm also unsure of how difficult to it might be to downgrade back down to 8.1. I hwve the OEM disk and key so I guess it should be the same as if I were redoing a fresh install.