Computer Freezing a lot lately... Memory issue? (need help again)

[Quixote]

G'day folks, as of late, my computer has been simply freezing. I have pretty much a gaming rig too, and has been running great for a long time.

Not really sure what to do, but I've googled around and I think it may be an issue with RAM.

My computer has frozen whilist doing things like:
-Hosting games of Age of Empires II & III - while on Skype
-Playing Minecraft while running my Minecraft Server, while on Skype with a buddy
-Playing Torchlight 2, while on Skype (this has gotten the worst freezes)
(Then again, this is all I have been doing when on the computer lately ^)

But it has only happened within the past few days. Besides Torchlight 2, these are all nothing new to my system. In fact...around the time when I pre-loaded Torchlight 2 on Steam, and downloaded Dropbox this has been happening. Maybe just coincidence.

I am really not sure what to do. I have tried switching out my RAM, taking it out, back in, and the RAM seems to be really hot.
Anything else you guys recommend I try? Any help would be amazing.


MY SYSTEM:

Over 5 year old parts:
ASUS P5KC MOBO
Intel Core 2 Q6600 2.4ish (cant remember) GHz
520w'er PSU
1 ~250GB HD with Windows 7 64-bit
1 ~250GB HD with Windows Vista
1 1TB Seagate HD (This is new, but I got while the problem was happening)

New Stuff:
GeForce 560Ti
Windows 7 64-bit
DDR2 RAM - Two extra sticks added lately, totaling 7GB.  (EDIT: I think this had something to do with it, but I get freezes in AOEII with just my old RAM too)

Cheers and thanks again.

 

[Fehnor]

First, mix and match RAM is a bad idea. 7GB is a really weird number.

It sounds like you're guessing the RAM is overheating, which is a possibility.

This could also be software related. It would be worthwhile to run a full virus scan and spybot: S&D. Also, (since you're running minecraft) completely uninstall Java and reinstall 7.7. I hate java, and see more vulnerabilities from that program than any other. Probably 90% more issues from java than any other program. It's a ****ing nightmare.

So, RAM is pretty cheap, and you could buy a nice even amount and get rid of the rest. If you want to eliminate another possibility before you spend money, you could try wiping and reinstalling Windows to see if it's a software issue.

Also, I sometimes wish I had my q6600 back, that is a great processor.

 

[Splintert]

I would go so far as to say it's more likely a software issue than a hardware one. Perhaps your HDD is fragmented, or the OS is trying to search for something in the background.

 

[LastRoman]

It freezes completely or just for a moment?
Post exact type, brand, model of RAM (the one you've had and the one you've added) and PSU.
Also, try the suggested virus scan and spybot. Defrag your HDD and check it's health (!).

 

[Quixote]

Hey guys, thanks for the replies.

I removed and reinstalled Java and got S&D, and ran it. Defragged as well.
Was going really well, and lasted a lot longer...
But while playing Torchlight 2 with my buddy it happened again

The freeze is indeed forever, computer does not come back unless reset even if left on for a whole day.

Will try reinst my OS if I need to, if not maybe need to buy a few more RAM sticks :/
Any other help would be great.

 

[LastRoman]

Post exact type, brand, model of RAM (the one you've had and the one you've added) and PSU!
...HDD and check it's health with for example Crystal Disk Info!

Also - open your case, wipe off any dust and, disconnect and reconnect everything (only cables and connectors). I used to have some similar problems, tried reinstalling OS and so on but it only helped for a while. Turned out there was a bad contact somewhere.

 

[Sound Chaser]

Are you sure your motherboard can support that much RAM? Mine can support only like... 3GBs(?) and it's the same age as yours. Also, the RAM could be broken. To test it, use a program called memtest. Also, all that's been suggested.

 

[Splintert]

If you have a 32-bit OS you can only use around 3GB.

 

[royabriant]

It might be hardware or driver related issue. Most commonly over heating. Also the "AUTO" settings in BIOS *may not* produce a stable setting.  You have to goto the ASUS support website and download the latest memory QVL and lookup the memory settings for your particular brand there. Some useful info for you here in the answer: techyv.com/questions/random-process-freezing-asus-laptop

 

[Quixote]

Hi, SO I know it's been a while and forum nubs go ahead, call me a necro!
BUT I finally decided to stop being lazy and try and fix this...

SO I have run a lot of tests and will tell you about them to rule some things out
Here are my exact specs for my DDR2 RAM slots:
1. hynix - Korea 04 - 2GB 2Rx8 PC2-6400U-666-12 HYMP125U64CP8-S6 AB-C 0806
2. hynix - Korea 09 - 2GB 2Rx8 PC2-6400U-666-12 HYMP125U64CP8-S6 AB 1030
3. PNY - 2GB, DD2, DIMM, 1 B0QIT PO 145726.1 (THIS one didn't have jack **** on the sticker for some reason, best info I got)
4. hynix - Korea 09 - 1GB 2Rx8 PC2-5300U-555-12 HYMP512U64CP8-Y5 AB 0727

These are all DDR2. As a reminder the complete lock-up freezes have only happened to me during online play for certain games. I would freeze more quickly if I made the game server. Games like Sanctum, Planetside 2, Mount&Blade are OK. Games like Torchlight II, Age of Empires III, Age of Empires II, Minecraft (sometimes), are not. I've tried a few things:
-Got a new 1TB Hard Drive, put all data except the Operating system there.
-Changed DRAM voltage in the BIOS to 1.8v (nope) and 2.2v (nope). Put back on Auto.
These have not worked^^

This though produced some nice results...
All of my testing I did through Torchlight II with my friend, as this seemed to freeze me the quickest. I ended up switching out my sticks of RAM. Removing old ones, removing the new ones, and here are some results.
I tried with all different combos of sticks of RAM. Then I did RAM #1 and #2 (listed above) alone. These are the newer sticks. Torchlight II froze as normal.
Then I tried with my 2 older sticks. RAM #3 and #4. No freakin freezing! the 1GB and the 2GB, and me and my friend played Torchlight II for a few hours with no freezing. Then we left it on while I went to work. No freezing. I thought I was golden! "New sticks must have been bad RAM!" My problem is solved!

Then...
Tonight I played Age of Empires II with my friends. I made the game "oh yeah I'm fine now!!"
Froze.
What the FFF.
Just like it had before.
This happens usually when we are a tad bit along in the game. I would say maybe because there is a lot of action going on? Lots of soldiers, lots of memory I'm having to deal with more users other than myself. Liek I said before I am directly connected to my router if that helps...

We tried reconnecting to the game, this time my friend hosting it, on a restored version of our game.

I joined the restored game, and immediately I got a freeze. It was the point of the game where I froze last time. Just when I thought my new RAM was to blame, with our Torchlight II successes....while playing with my old RAM, this happens.

OK - I really need some genius to help me figure this out. Before I just freakin wipe out my computer and buy a new system. I don't have the $$ to really do that. And if you are google-searching this and know the answer, please make a bloody account on taleworlds and answer this thread!!

Thank you guys for your help. If you need anymore info let me know I will get it promptly. Again...THANK YOU FOR ANY HELP

 

[Jhessail]

Have you ruled out a bad contact on the motherboard itself somewhere? Could be something that only occurs as the RAM gets hotter, with the old sticks heating up slower than the new sticks. If your friend is willing to help, try your RAM sticks in his PC - if they run smoothly there, it's not the sticks that are the issue.

Another possibility is that the Windows page file is corrupted or not in use. If it's set on automatic but you run out of HD-space on the C: drive, it can cause a freeze. If it's set on a certain file but there are bad sectors in it, it can cause a freeze. Try manually setting the Page file to be on the new drive and fix it's size to 4 gigs.

 

[Kevlar]

If you think heat is an issue you could buy more fans if your case has room since that would be cheaper then any other hardware.

The q6600 is pretty old so if you have had it running for a few years its possible for it to slowly degrade. That usually only happens to people running bad overclocks though so if you had it stock that might not be an issue.

 

[Splintert]

A RAM voltage of 1.8v is a little high, check on the actual stick and see if it wants some kind of special voltage (mine wants 1.65v compared to the default 1.5v).

 

[Lerber]

You might also have bad mobo ports for the RAM. You could try varying what sticks are in what slots. I agree the voltages seem off.

 

[Quixote]

It seems weird too. 1.8v was the lowest I could set it to however.
It sounds like it could very well be a mobo issue; or CPU. Both are running at 6-7 years old now. (weird how time flies...) I will try sticking my RAM in my friends computer.
I have a weird feeling it could have something to do with Win7 64-bit as well. Maybe I could try booting w/ Vista or something.

Thanks a lot for the input guys, any other help appreciated as always. But once again, thanks a lot, I will try some things.

 

[Quixote]

I don't know.
What is life. Really.

Now my rig freezes every time I try to start up Planetside 2. Launcher loads for 2 seconds then instantly locks up.
What.

Is it cause it's been getting hot in the room lately? That's the only thing that's changed. Could it be my processor needs better cooling...or something? Too many dust bunnies(not that bad)? I don't know?

Couldn't test a new processor at my friends house because his i5 won't fit into my mobo.

I am thinking of just saying f this sh*t and buying a new mobo, processor, and RAM, even though it's hard to afford right now. Just do a well-needed future proofing of my system.

Well anyway I know it's been spread out, but thanks for everyone giving me guidance and help with my problem.
Quix

 

[Kevlar]

Download a program to monitor temps if you think it may be heat (realtemp is a one for cpu).

 

[Quixote]

good idea

 

[Jace]

Another good prog for checking the CPU temperatures is Core Temp. And if interested in GFX card temperatures (and more info about it than you would want to know), GPU-Z.

 

[Splintert]

The lockup caused when starting a program is likely the hard drive searching for a file. I know the PlanetSide 2 launcher is a system hog, and grinds both my laptop and my desktop to a halt until it finishes scanning its files.