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Question

Windows 10 Computer Randomly Freezing Completely

by Jan 22, 2018 8:26AM PST

My custom made desktop computer has been randomly freezing. When I say freezing, I mean I can't do anything. The picture is frozen and I can't use the mouse or keyboard. (I know it's not a problem with either of those since the clock freezes too). I've had this computer for close to a year now, and I just started having this problem at the end of December 2017. It's happened 4 - 5 times in the past month, and the only thing I can do is hold down the power button and start it back up. After that, it runs for another few days without a problem.
The weird thing is, it happens when I'm not even doing anything pc intensive. I'm usually watching a video or something and the computer isn't even hot. Anyone have any idea how to fix this?
Here are the specs on my computer:

-System Type x64-based PC
-Processor AMD FX(tm)-8350 Eight-Core Processor, 4 GHz, 4
Core(s), 8 Logical Processor(s)
-Installed Physical Memory (RAM) 16.0 GB

I'm not a computer savvy guy, so I don't know what information you need, but here's the basics. Help appreciated.

Discussion is locked

22 Posts
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Answer
Usually not Windows related.
by Forum moderator Jan 22, 2018 8:38AM PST
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Speccy URL
by LeapingOrca Jan 22, 2018 8:47AM PST
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A shop hound is a machine that you see too often.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Jan 22, 2018 8:59AM PST

I'll be back with a Speccy reading in a few minutes. Takes time.

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Answer
A Speccy reading.
by Forum moderator Jan 22, 2018 9:16AM PST

1. aswbIDSAgent, Since you use Windows Defender you should stick with one security system or switch all to Avast. For now, I'd remove Avast since we need to run lean until we are sure it's not software.

2. A few too many SVCHOST and System internet connections. Turn this OFF:
Read how at https://www.howtogeek.com/224981/how-to-stop-windows-10-from-uploading-updates-to-other-pcs-over-the-internet/
A machine that does less, is more stable.

3. Adode Flash is still problematic. For Chrome and other players try to disable hardware acceleration.
Links: https://www.google.com/search?q=FLASH+disable+hardware+acceleration

4, Some failed updates. I give the CHKDSK a try. CHKDSK /F /R /X on each drive letter then reboot and let it run. Nothing really bad here, but chkdsk is something we need to run once in a while.

5. Do you use Skype? If not, stop it.
Read https://www.howtogeek.com/284864/how-to-stop-skype-from-running-in-the-background-on-windows-10/

6. Good things. BIOS is current, SSD and HDD SMART values are great.

7. Unplug the DVDRW until the machine is stable.

8. Good choice about DNS. Someone is savvy here. If you want, add a second DNS of 4.2.2.1. This has nothing to do with the issues at hand.

9. Won't make Space Balls comments or Pink Floyd either.

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Ran Through Steps
by LeapingOrca Jan 22, 2018 9:52AM PST

I'm currently running CHKDSK, but I did everything else. The SVCHOST was already turned off, so I'm not sure what's going on with that.

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Did you mean W10 update sharing?
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Jan 22, 2018 9:56AM PST

The speccy doesn't clearly call out what or why so many svchost so when I see it I have to comment about W10 update sharing. A machine can get too busy IMO and when we see troubles we simplify.

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Is there anything else I should do?
by LeapingOrca Jan 22, 2018 10:03AM PST

I won't know if any of this worked for at least a week, is there anything else you think I should try or should I leave it for now?

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I don't want to tell you
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Jan 22, 2018 10:09AM PST

This is what will fix it. I alluded to the problem I see too many machines like this and while yours is one of the better Speccy reports I've seen since the temps were good, the drives were clean and other signs pointing to "good owner" I can't escape it could be hardware or a bum driver.

Don't go rushing off to update drivers here. I don't change a driver unless I have a clue given which one. Or I hear from the owner they never did this work.

Anyhow the CHKDSK has cleared up a few so we do that and return to testing. The thing is, with a desktop there's always a chance it's just the power coming in. Miss a few AC cycles and lock up.

I'd let chkdsk finish and see if it's better or worse. Should only get worse if hardware or power is getting worse.

-> In other words, try this, and wait.

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Will do.
by LeapingOrca Jan 22, 2018 10:12AM PST

Thanks for all your help so far, weather this works or not.

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Happened Again Today
by LeapingOrca Jan 31, 2018 5:55AM PST

Everything has been working fine since we last talked (except for the usb ports acting up every now and then), until today when I powered my computer on, searched a website on Google, and then it suddenly froze like before. I don't understand what's happening.

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Check out LeapingOrca
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Jan 31, 2018 8:37AM PST

But usually a sign the motherboard is near the end.

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(NT) Is it only freezing when using the browser?
by James Denison May 4, 2018 10:16AM PDT
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The reason the BROWSER is being brought up
by r. proffitt Forum moderator May 5, 2018 8:18AM PDT

Is the latest Windows 10 has an issue. This discussion predates this version and the signs point elsewhere.

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Could this be the issue?
by LeapingOrca Jan 31, 2018 5:56AM PST
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Yes. The W10 sharing was turned off
by LeapingOrca Jan 22, 2018 10:05AM PST

That's what I meant.

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DNS
by LeapingOrca Jan 22, 2018 9:53AM PST

Also, what does adding the DNS do?

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Windows supports
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Jan 22, 2018 9:58AM PST

At least two DNS entries. So if one doesn't answer it can try the next. 8.8.8.8 and 4.2.2.1 are ones I use all the time when setting up.

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CHKDSK Finished
by LeapingOrca Jan 22, 2018 12:48PM PST

I ran the CHKDSK on my 1TB drive and it said this:

Windows has scanned the file system and found no problems.
No further action is required.

976629759 KB total disk space.
411677288 KB in 32421 files.
9772 KB in 3228 indexes.
0 KB in bad sectors.
149599 KB in use by the system.
65536 KB occupied by the log file.
564793100 KB available on disk.

4096 bytes in each allocation unit.
244157439 total allocation units on disk.
141198275 allocation units available on disk.

I then tried to do the same thing to my other drive, but it said:

The type of the file system is NTFS.
Cannot lock current drive.

Chkdsk cannot run because the volume is in use by another
process. Would you like to schedule this volume to be
checked the next time the system restarts? (Y/N)

I responded yes, rebooted my computer, and it scanned the drive. But afterwards, my usb ports are all acting funny. At first I thought my mouse battery was dead but quickly figured out that it wouldn't work in the port it was in. Then, by moving things around, I found that certain things (Keyboard, Mouse, etc.) would only work in certain ports. The mouse might not work in one port, while my headphones would. Did I do something wrong? I typed in: CHKDSK /F /R /X C:
It's exactly what I did with the other drive but with B: instead of C:

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I think I figured out what was wrong with USB ports
by LeapingOrca Jan 22, 2018 1:01PM PST

I went into the device manager and I looked at the usb ports. One of them had a warning sign by it, so I disabled and then re-enabled it, and now they're working.

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That and such can cause port renumeration.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Jan 22, 2018 1:06PM PST

And nothing to be alarmed about. Odd that turning it off and on worked but this is typical for PCs.

A few months ago a PC was acting weird and I booted to safe mode to check a thing, didn't do anything else. Rebooted and all good. Walked away while it was working.

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aha!
by James Denison May 4, 2018 10:18AM PDT

wireless keyboard and mouse problem. Make sure both have fresh batteries in them. If that doesn't solve it, get a new receiver unit for the USB which will work with your keyboard/mouse combination.

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Answer
not this in my case
by May 3, 2018 7:18AM PDT

As of new update of windows 10
and seeing the posts in google i thought that was the problem of chrome browser...
but after uninstalling it didnt work
i reinstalled it...and working like a charm.....
then i found the problem was with the opera browser.... its causing the freezing of my pc... not chrome not firefox not edge
check it if that happens in your case...too.....

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