Vista x64 freezes after bootup

[DigMe]

Vista x64 freezes 5 minutes after bootup

I'm at my wit's end with this problem and i'ts rare that I can't solve my own PC issues so maybe someone here can help me.

For a at least a month now my computer has been freezing about five minutes after starting the boot-up sequence (as in 5 minutes after hitting the power button). No BSoD or anything. Just a freeze. I have tried many different things to troubleshoot. First let me tell you my specs and then I'll tell you what I've already tried so far.

My PC:
Asus P5K-Deluxe motherboard
intel Q6700 processor with Thermalright Ultra 120 air cooler
WD 500GB AAKS hard drive
4GB G.Skill DDR2-1000 RAM
Nvidia 8800GT SSC video card (just changed out to a BFG 9800GTX OCX)
Thermaltake toughpower 750 watt PSU
LG DVDR drive
coolermaster CM690 case with 7 120mm fans for cooling.

Running Windows Vista x64 SP1

now here's what I've tried so far:
initially tried system restore to a point before the problem started

scanned for viruses and malware using Avira, Trendmicro online scan, Avast, Superantispyware and Malwarebytes

upgraded my motherboard's BIOS

returned all settings to stock

upped the videocard fan speeds using Rivatuner

replaced the video card

ran chkdsk

searched google endlessly for solutions

I may be forgetting other things. I'll let you know as hey are proposed.

Usually I can finally get it to boot after several tries and I can play games normally and whatnot. Just now I was finally able to get it to boot on the 5th try. Another symptom that may or may not be related is that sometimes it freezes when you attempt to do something like attach a photo to a web-based email or upload photos to an online photo site.


I built this system myself and I really hope I can get this fixed. I think my wife may be losing faith in me! Help!

Let me know any other info I can post that might help. My technical proficiency is pretty high.

Thanks!

brad

 

[DigMe]

If no one has any ideas on this perhaps someone could recommend another forum where I might find help?

brad

 

[AstaLaVista]

Well, I know I am not qualified to help much but here it goes... just a few observations

How many slots of Ram have you covered?

You said you return the bios to stock (default, right?) but, did you also clear Cmos?

Are you running any sort of Overclocking on your GPU, CPU or RAM?

Have you tried using only 1 stick of Ram to see if the problem goes away? if it does, then the problem may lie on your board and/or RAM and you may need to RMA it. Now, being said this, also try 1 stick of RAM on each slot to see if for sure the board is the culprit and not the RAM.

Is your Monitor using the dedicated driver for x64?

I could have swear I have helped you in another thread, your system specs look familiar...

 

[DigMe]

Thanks for the suggestions. I haven't asked for help on this in another thread. I've only had 3 posts here before now and two were in this thread.

My monitor driver is made for both 32 and 64 bit according to Samsung.

I have 2 of 4 RAM slots covered. I haven't tried running with only 1 stick but I have run memtest for at least 7 hours before and it didn't detect any problems. I am running some overclocking but I have tried with stock settings and there was no change. Nevertheless I have returned the GPU to stock settings and the RAM to slower-than-stock settings.

Good suggestions on trying one stick of RAM in one slot at a time. I will try when I get a chance. I also have not cleared CMOS although I can't imagine that it would fix this issue.

Thanks for the ideas.

brad

 

[AstaLaVista]

My monitor driver is made for both 32 and 64 bit according to Samsung.

Does your monitor shows under DEvice Manager/Monitors or just Generic PnP Monitor?

I have 2 of 4 RAM slots covered. I haven't tried running with only 1 stick but I have run memtest for at least 7 hours before and it didn't detect any problems.

Are you running with Mfr spec timings & Volts? if not, set your ram acoordingly.

I am running some overclocking but I have tried with stock settings and there was no change. Nevertheless I have returned the GPU to stock settings and the RAM to slower-than-stock settings.I also have not cleared CMOS although I can't imagine that it would fix this issue.

If you have change to default setting but did not clear Cmos, chances are that the changes did not take place... I could be wrong about this though.

 

[DigMe]

I think I've made progress. Although I'm a little hesitant to say it because I THOUGHT I'd made progress before when I thought this was video-card related.

So AstaLaVista - you steered me back towards possible RAM issues. I removed one stick of RAM and so far I've booted the computer both hard and soft probably 10 times with not one freeze. I've tried that stick of RAM in both sockets that I'd been using with no problems so far. Now I'll need to troubleshoot further to see if the stick I removed has problems or if Vista is just having some problem when I use 2 sticks at once or when I use 4GB.

Thanks a lot! I assumed that memtest would have revealed any issues with RAM but I guess not. Hopefully this really IS progress and not just another thing like the video card where it seems to help at first but then the problem comes back.

brad