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Question

Pc still Freezing?? (after replacing hard drive)

Sep 22, 2017 1:18AM PDT

I recently replaced the hard drive on my computer (as it had bad sectors) while it stopped many errors such as the computer not booting, freezing upon startup and bsod-ing there is still one puzzling problem

The pc sometimes still freezes, its a lot better than before but it still randomly freezes sometimes
However one major difference is that before replacing the drive ony one light in the chassis used to be on when it froze but now both lights are on

This did not used to happen at all a few years ago - the only things that froze were programs( such as chrome etc)

I ran chkdsk and sfc /scannow and it shows no errors

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Hdd
Sep 22, 2017 4:32AM PDT
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Windows
Sep 22, 2017 1:38PM PDT

I reinstalled windows 10 using usb installation media i had created a couple of months ago

After installation Windows updated itself and then l began to use it

I did not install mobo drivers

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You are repeating a common issue.
Sep 22, 2017 9:48PM PDT

Windows is just basic drivers. Suitable for running long enough to find and install the machine's or maker's issued drivers.

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speccy
Sep 23, 2017 5:55AM PDT

here is my speccy profile


ALSO
my computer bsod-ed again

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speccy
Sep 23, 2017 5:57AM PDT

here is my speccy ... it somehow didn't get posted last time
speccy

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Speccy
Sep 23, 2017 7:00AM PDT

Set everything in that power profile to never.

Did you install the mobo drivers?

Why did you partition the hdd into small pieces?

Test this with the side panel off.

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Mobo drivers
Sep 23, 2017 8:28AM PDT

Intell discontinued the motherboard that I have so I can't find any mobo drivers to install with Windows 10 on the official website

I did however find some that were compatible with Windows 10 but on a website called driverscape.com and I'm not sure if they are okay to install (also do I have to install all of these? )

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Drivers
Sep 23, 2017 8:49AM PDT

The first thing you want is a full backup, that's your restore if something breaks the machine.

Start with the chip set drivers and test.

As for the other drivers you need to research to see if they apply to your machine.

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Concerns
Sep 24, 2017 12:08PM PDT

I have some concerns - as my motherboard is discontinued and there are no official drivers available for download
I found some on a third party website and I'm not sure if I can trust that website
Also could my motherboard being old be a reason for the problem?

Is not downloading the drivers the only cause for the computer freezing? And is there anything else I can do

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Concerns
Sep 24, 2017 4:20PM PDT

Also could my motherboard being old be a reason for the problem?
Yes

Is not downloading the drivers the only cause for the computer freezing?
No

And is there anything else I can do
You get to do a lot of looking/trying/testing.

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Answer
I'll look at the Speccy later but
Sep 23, 2017 9:42AM PDT

Be sure the BIOS is current, heatsinks are clean and if the heatsink compound is over 2 or more years, it can dry and crack. These are basic things we'll do on an older locking up PC.

Next we'll look at the PSU rating since they don't age well. You want a beefy single +12V rail power supply that is about 50 to 100 percent over what the machine draws.

I have yet to find it matters if it's Windows 7, Vista, 8 or 10 as when this story happens, the version Windows doesn't seem to matter.

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The Speccy has concerning items.
Sep 24, 2017 12:47PM PDT

1. Read Error Rate looks high. And the HDD looks warm.
I'd consider testing with a new HDD. Also, leave the cover off as it looks like an overly warm PC.

2. BIOS is dated. When I work these are updated. Always.
Read https://downloadcenter.intel.com/product/54876

3. I see W8 drivers which is what I use on W10.

4. The machine is older so be sure to do a deep clean on all heatsinks, test all fans and leave the cover off. With the 660 GPU you have more checks there for heatsink compound, fans as well as seeing if the PSU has aged or was some dual to quad rail PSU (we find dual or more rail PSUs to be problematic on old PCs.)