Random freezes

[Maedhros]

Dear forum users,

For many months, maybe even since purchase (2,5 years ago), I’ve been experiencing two issues with my PC:
Perhaps once in every 2 to 3 hours of use, the PC will randomly freeze. The PC suddenly becomes unresponsive, screen fixes at last frame, sound freezes as well, often becoming a constant buzzing sound. The only fix is then hard-resetting the PC through the power button.
This usually happens during games, most often, but not always, during saving. It also happens during playing Youtube or other streaming sites, videos, and sometimes at other random points.

Also, sometimes (maybe 1 in 4 times) at startup, the monitor will give “No signal” while the PC seems to start correctly. This can be solved by pressing the powerbutton and restarting the PC again. (Very rarely, the problem can only be solved by unplugging the machine for 30 seconds after several tries.)
This is by far not the biggest issue here, I’m just wondering if it might have something to do with the freezes.

So far I’ve tried following the steps on this site: https://appuals.com/fix-windows-10-freezes-randomly/
I’ve also done some virus/malware scans, checked the temperatures, reinstalled Windows and ran a memory check during startup with MemTest86, nothing seems to work. My BIOS is at the latest version.

I’m starting to think this might be a hardware (probably graphics card) issue, but how can I find out if this is indeed the case, before buying a new one?

My specs (Speccy) are as follows:

OS: Windows 10 Home 64 bit
CPU: AMD A10-7850K (Kaveri 28nm Technology)
RAM: 8 GB Dual-Channel DD3 @ 931MHz (11-11-11-32)
Motherboard: ASRock FM2A88M Extreme4+ (CPUSocket)
Graphics: 2048MB ATI Radeon RX 460 Graphics (Sapphire/PCPartner)
Storage: 931GB TOSHIBA DT01ACA100 (SATA)
Optical Drives: HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GH24NSD1 ATA Device
Audio: AMD High Definition Audio Device

I would gladly receive some advice on what to try next. Thank you very much for your time.

Kind regards,

Tom (The Netherlands)

[veeg]

Hello

This could be a heat issue.. Download this free software… Speccy - Free Download

It would be best if you could run this software prior to your pc shutting down..

Then post those logs.. CCleaner Support Community

[Bruce]

just a small cautionary warning with Speccy.
one of it’s current bugs is reporting wrong temps for motherboards and graphics cards.
there are a couple of current, long running threads on their community forum on the issue
so also try another software for showing systems temps.

have you tried to isolate the issue?
start with removing that graphics card and running the PC just on the onboard graphics.
yes, you’ll probably not be able to play games but run it for a few days and see if the issue still happens.
do the same to the RAM, just running one stick at a time.

[phillpower2]

Any update for us?

[Maedhros]

Dear all,

Thank you very much for the suggestions. Apologies for not replying sooner, busy workweek and all…

I will now run the Speccy logs as instructed and let the PC keep running Youtube untill it freezes again. Then I will post the logs and start trying the same thing without my graphics card.

I hope we can isolate the issue, I don’t mind spending some money on new hardware but I want to be sure its the right part to replace.

Untill later!

Regards, Tom

[phillpower2]

Thanks for the update (y)

[Maedhros]

I feel kind of stupid now. I don’t remember ever noticing high CPU temperatures, but Speccy definitely shows it, even just after starting up:

http://speccy.piriform.com/results/lNRwEPyjKz8oOevowcvYVEO

Now this might be a bad reading, but the processor does feel a bit hot and the thermal paste seems to be mostly gone. I will order some new paste and try applying it, I’ll let you know if it helps with the temperature reading (and, after some testing, the freezing issue).

[phillpower2]

Did you read the reply #3 of Bruce in which he advised that Speccy sometimes gets temperature readings for both MB and GPU wrong.

If you have removed the heatsink from atop of the CPU you will not only need to re-apply a good a fresh amount but also properly clean off the old stuff first using either a proper compound cleaner or 99% pure isopropyl alcohol/rubbing compound and a lint free cloth.

I mainly use Arctic products and for AMD CPUs their guide here

[Maedhros]

Yes, I did read it and realize that. In fact, the readings can’t be correct, as they jump 20 degrees Celsius every few seconds.

Still, I think it is a good thing to try first. I will keep you informed in the next couple of days.

[phillpower2]

Its not that Speccy is buggy, it is fine with a lot of boards but it does have issues with some MBs own monitoring software, ASUS AI and MSI Afterburner being two that come to mind.

The BIOS and HWMonitor (free). will give you more reliable readings when you need to check them.

[phillpower2]

Any update for us?

[phillpower2]

Any update for us? This thread will be closed if not replied to within 48hrs.