[SOLVED] Excessive freezing

Solidify · Feb 24, 2013

Hi. My computer keeps freezing randomly, resulting in me having to reset it, something I hate doing. This occurs several times a week. Could this be related to my CPU? If not, what then?

Also, 4/5 times that I turn on or restart my computer, it hangs at the following BIOS screen for at least 5 minutes before proceeding to boot from the OS. In the past, it spent 5 seconds on that screen at the most.

My PC specs:

CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E4600 @ 2.40GHz
Mainboard: Intel 945GCT-M (CPU 1)
Memory: 2.00 GB Dual-Channel DDR2 @ 332MHz (5-5-5-15)
Hard Drive: 932GB Seagate ST31000528AS ATA Device (SATA)
Video: iIntel 82945G Express Chipset Family
Sound: High Definition Audio Device
CD Rom: HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GH20NS10 ATA Device, ATAPI iHAS224 B ATA Device
Power Supply: Powerlink LPK2-30 500W
Printer: Lexmark X5450
OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate 32-bit SP1

Fred Garvin · Feb 24, 2013

Re: Excessive freezing

Solidify, start Windows up and install the trial version of HD Tune Pro. Once installed, click the Health tab then go to File and Save Screenshot.
Next, click the Error Scan tab and click the start button. Let the program run a full scan. Click File>>Save Screenshot and upload both those screenshot files in your next post.

Solidify · Feb 24, 2013

Re: Excessive freezing

Done and done.

Fred Garvin · Feb 24, 2013

Re: Excessive freezing

Solidify, can you go to the Health tab in HD Tune again and expand the window so all the data is visible and there's no scroll bar on the right. Then post another screen shot.

Solidify · Feb 24, 2013

Re: Excessive freezing

Also, I have another external HDD. Not sure if you wanted its information as well but just in case:

I also find it noteworthy that HD Tune Pro gave me the following notifications for my external HDD, despite the Seagate software that came bundled with it not picking up on that:

I never turn off my external HDD. It is connected to my computer via USB on the system's back I/O panel. It turns off whenever my system turns off so in my opinion, I shouldn't heat up any more than my internal HDD (although I should mention that I have an on-going backup system running around the clock in which the backup location is on my external HDD).

Solidify · Feb 24, 2013

Re: Excessive freezing

The freezing has gotten really bad. I can't run HD Tune Pro longer than 5 minutes without it 'not responding' and then freezing. When I restart my computer using the restart option in the start menu (and not the restart button on the computer case), the computer hangs at the Logging Off screen for longer than 15 minutes.

Fred Garvin · Feb 24, 2013

Re: Excessive freezing

Here's what I'd do. Start with replacing the SATA cable to the drive or borrow one from another PC. They're cheap, so no biggie if it's not the cause. Find out the manufacturer of the motherboard and download & install the chipset, then any storage drivers (in that order) for your board from the mfgr's website. See if the problem continues.

Right click on Computer and select Manage. Go to Event Viewer>Windows logs and look for any Red Xs under System. See if anything is flagged for NTFS, DISK or something like that around the time you experience a freeze.

Your External drive is running hot. Try and place it somewhere with good ventilation around it if you can.

Solidify · Feb 24, 2013

Re: Excessive freezing

Do you want me to replace my internal HDD's SATA data or SATA power cable?

As for the motherboard, this is what Speccy tells me:

Motherboard

Manufacturer: Intel
Model: 945GCT-M (CPU 1)
Version: 2.0
Chipset Vendor: Intel
Chipset Model: i945G
Chipset Revision: A2
Southbridge Vendor: Intel
Southbridge Model: 82801GB (ICH7/R)
Southbridge Revision: A1
System Temperature: 40 °C

BIOS

Brand: American Megatrends Inc.
Version: 080012
Date: 07/11/2007

With that being said, I think this is the manufacturer's website: ECS Web Site > 945GCT-M (V1.0)

The URL links to a motherboard with v1.0 but CPU-Z says mine is v2.0. I don't know if that is OK. Would you mind redirecting me to the right chipset and storage driver downloads?

Also, I looked for red X's in the System section of Event Viewer and these are some of the errors I found. (I organized the events in order of the most recent first):

Code:

Log Name:      System
Source:        Disk
Date:          24/02/2013 5:24:43 PM
Event ID:      11
Task Category: None
Level:         Error
Keywords:      Classic
User:          N/A
Computer:      Kevin-PC
Description:
The driver detected a controller error on \Device\Harddisk1\DR1.
Event Xml:
<Event xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/win/2004/08/events/event">
  <System>
    <Provider Name="Disk" />
    <EventID Qualifiers="49156">11</EventID>
    <Level>2</Level>
    <Task>0</Task>
    <Keywords>0x80000000000000</Keywords>
    <TimeCreated SystemTime="2013-02-24T22:24:43.940689200Z" />
    <EventRecordID>327551</EventRecordID>
    <Channel>System</Channel>
    <Computer>Kevin-PC</Computer>
    <Security />
  </System>
  <EventData>
    <Data>\Device\Harddisk1\DR1</Data>
    <Binary>0E00680001000000000000000B0004C003010000000000000000000000082D000000000000000000C9660C0000000000FFFFFFFF0600000040000000000000000000061208000010000000003C00000000000000008E14870000000048F86185000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000</Binary>
  </EventData>
</Event>

Code:

Log Name:      System
Source:        EventLog
Date:          24/02/2013 1:53:40 PM
Event ID:      6008
Task Category: None
Level:         Error
Keywords:      Classic
User:          N/A
Computer:      Kevin-PC
Description:
The previous system shutdown at 1:51:24 PM on ‎2/‎24/‎2013 was unexpected.
Event Xml:
<Event xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/win/2004/08/events/event">
  <System>
    <Provider Name="EventLog" />
    <EventID Qualifiers="32768">6008</EventID>
    <Level>2</Level>
    <Task>0</Task>
    <Keywords>0x80000000000000</Keywords>
    <TimeCreated SystemTime="2013-02-24T18:53:40.000000000Z" />
    <EventRecordID>327404</EventRecordID>
    <Channel>System</Channel>
    <Computer>Kevin-PC</Computer>
    <Security />
  </System>
  <EventData>
    <Data>1:51:24 PM</Data>
    <Data>‎2/‎24/‎2013</Data>
    <Data>
    </Data>
    <Data>
    </Data>
    <Data>1649</Data>
    <Data>
    </Data>
    <Data>
    </Data>
    <Binary>DD070200000018000D00330018004300DD0702000000180012003300180043003C0000003C000000000000000000000000000000000000000100000000000000</Binary>
  </EventData>
</Event>

Code:

Log Name:      System
Source:        EventLog
Date:          24/02/2013 1:24:23 PM
Event ID:      6008
Task Category: None
Level:         Error
Keywords:      Classic
User:          N/A
Computer:      Kevin-PC
Description:
The previous system shutdown at 1:22:47 PM on ‎2/‎24/‎2013 was unexpected.
Event Xml:
<Event xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/win/2004/08/events/event">
  <System>
    <Provider Name="EventLog" />
    <EventID Qualifiers="32768">6008</EventID>
    <Level>2</Level>
    <Task>0</Task>
    <Keywords>0x80000000000000</Keywords>
    <TimeCreated SystemTime="2013-02-24T18:24:23.000000000Z" />
    <EventRecordID>327268</EventRecordID>
    <Channel>System</Channel>
    <Computer>Kevin-PC</Computer>
    <Security />
  </System>
  <EventData>
    <Data>1:22:47 PM</Data>
    <Data>‎2/‎24/‎2013</Data>
    <Data>
    </Data>
    <Data>
    </Data>
    <Data>23728</Data>
    <Data>
    </Data>
    <Data>
    </Data>
    <Binary>DD070200000018000D0016002F007F03DD07020000001800120016002F007F033C0000003C000000000000000000000000000000000000000100000000000000</Binary>
  </EventData>
</Event>

Then, as I was scrolling further down, between 12:00 AM - 12:30 AM on February 24th, Event Viewer registered a ton of errors one after another:

Here are details for several of the events recorded within that period:

Code:

Log Name:      System
Source:        Disk
Date:          23/02/2013 10:17:04 PM
Event ID:      11
Task Category: None
Level:         Error
Keywords:      Classic
User:          N/A
Computer:      Kevin-PC
Description:
The driver detected a controller error on \Device\Harddisk2\DR2.
Event Xml:
<Event xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/win/2004/08/events/event">
  <System>
    <Provider Name="Disk" />
    <EventID Qualifiers="49156">11</EventID>
    <Level>2</Level>
    <Task>0</Task>
    <Keywords>0x80000000000000</Keywords>
    <TimeCreated SystemTime="2013-02-24T03:17:04.801804000Z" />
    <EventRecordID>327009</EventRecordID>
    <Channel>System</Channel>
    <Computer>Kevin-PC</Computer>
    <Security />
  </System>
  <EventData>
    <Data>\Device\Harddisk2\DR2</Data>
    <Binary>0E03680001000000000000000B0004C003010000000000000000000000082D000000000000000000DC29040000000000FFFFFFFF0600000040000000000000000000061208000010000000003C00000000000000C0ED27870000000088583485000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000</Binary>
  </EventData>
</Event>

Code:

Log Name:      System
Source:        Disk
Date:          23/02/2013 10:17:03 PM
Event ID:      11
Task Category: None
Level:         Error
Keywords:      Classic
User:          N/A
Computer:      Kevin-PC
Description:
The driver detected a controller error on \Device\Harddisk2\DR2.
Event Xml:
<Event xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/win/2004/08/events/event">
  <System>
    <Provider Name="Disk" />
    <EventID Qualifiers="49156">11</EventID>
    <Level>2</Level>
    <Task>0</Task>
    <Keywords>0x80000000000000</Keywords>
    <TimeCreated SystemTime="2013-02-24T03:17:03.257401300Z" />
    <EventRecordID>327008</EventRecordID>
    <Channel>System</Channel>
    <Computer>Kevin-PC</Computer>
    <Security />
  </System>
  <EventData>
    <Data>\Device\Harddisk2\DR2</Data>
    <Binary>0E00680001000000000000000B0004C003010000000000000000000000082D0000000000000000007929040000000000FFFFFFFF0600000040000000000000000000061208000010000000003C00000000000000C0ED27870000000088583485000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000</Binary>
  </EventData>
</Event>

I find it noteworthy to report that among all the events recorded in the System subcategory of the Event Viewer's Windows Logs, there were errors that identified with the following sources: atapi, Disk, DistributedCOM, Application-Experience, Service Control Manager, Windows Update Client, etc..

And as for the external HDD, I moved it in a more open space. I'll use HD Tune Pro to monitor its internal temperature.

Sorry for the big post with the data dump. I figured it would help you properly diagnose the issue. :thumb:

Edit: I just checked my external HDD's temperature using HD Tune Pro and it is now at 47°C as opposed to the earlier alarming 61°C. Looking good! But I might also add that many functions within HD Tune Pro force the application into an unresponsive state (HD Tune Pro 5.00 -Hard Disk Utility (trial version) (Not Responding))

Fred Garvin · Feb 24, 2013

Re: Excessive freezing

Solidify, all that info was good and helpful :thumb:.

Does Speccy give any other info on the mobo or is it just listed as Intel as the manufacturer? If you're comfortable opening the side of your case and looking in, grab a flashlight and see if you can find a manufacturer name printed on the board somewhere.

The ECS link you included is for a mobo made by ECS which also uses the intel chipset. It's best to find out who made your board so you can get the drivers specifically made for it from the mfgr's site. A last resort is to go to intel's website and use the "Check your system for the latest updates" link.

The errors listed for Hard Disk 1 are for your C: drive. The ATAPI errors for Hard Disk 2 are related to your external Seagate, and probably due to the drive going to sleep.

Yes, you can try replacing the internal SATA cable for your C drive or disconnect a SATA DVD drive and use its cable. At the very least, unplug and reseat the C: drive's SATA cable on both ends. I'd put my money on drivers as the cause, but it could be the controller on the hard drive, too.

Fred Garvin · Feb 25, 2013

Re: Excessive freezing

Ok, Googling your motherboard model # only pulls up results from ECS. So there's a good chance ECS is the manufacturer. Here is a link to the drivers for that ver 2.0 board. The problem is, these drivers are not designed for Windows 7.

So, how new is your Win 7 installation?

Solidify · Feb 25, 2013

Re: Excessive freezing

The motherboard's manufacturer is ECS. I don't know how to find out any more information on it.

When you say "replace the internal SATA cable", are you reffering to the SATA data or power cable?

Edit: I've had Windows 7 installed for a couple years. And it has never been this bad. Also, would you recommend I install those drivers since you mentioned they're not designed for W7.

Fred Garvin · Feb 25, 2013

Re: Excessive freezing

Yes, I mean replace the SATA data cable or at least disconnect and reconnect it on both ends, while the PC is off, obviously. Check my previous post, too.

Fred Garvin · Feb 25, 2013

Re: Excessive freezing

No, I wouldn't recommend installing the drivers in the link I posted, since they aren't designed for Win7. You'd be better off going into Device manager and right clicking on your SATA controller and letting Windows search for an update.

Solidify · Feb 25, 2013

Re: Excessive freezing

Updating the SATA controller did not work but I have yet to try swapping the ends of the internal HDD's SATA data cables (although I don't think that will help).

And since you suspect that the issue lies with my drivers and you can't find any driver updates that are Windows 7-compatible, I've run out of options, haven't I?

Fred Garvin · Feb 25, 2013

Re: Excessive freezing

Here's what's probably happening. Your computer is trying to talk to your C: drive - over the SATA cable - to the hard drive's controller - and onto the platters. The problem lies between your motherboard and the storage platters. A bad cable, bad SATA port, bad HD controller on your hard drive, or software drivers could all be the culprit.

Some other ways you could test are: take your C drive out and mount it in another computer as a secondary drive (don't boot to it!). Open up some video or music files from your drive or copy files to it. See if you register any errors in Event Viewer on the test computer relating to your drive.

If you have a spare SATA hard drive around, you could clone your drive to the spare. Then remove your drive and boot up to the spare one. Check Event Viewer or HDTune for the C7 errors and see if the value under Data increases.

I would swap the drive out w/a spare, but I wouldn't go so far as to say buy a new one, since I don't know for sure it's your HD controller. The surface scan of your drive came up clean.

You could try downloading Seagate's Seatools from their website, burn the utility to a CD and run their long test diagnostic. It's usually useless, but it might point to the drive. If the drive is a year or so old, you might be able to get it replaced under warranty.

Fred Garvin · Feb 25, 2013

Re: Excessive freezing

I should have added: Swapping the hard drive in your PC and getting no errors would confirm the controller on the drive was bad.

Putting your drive in a test computer w/no errors might confirm a driver, cable, mobo problem on your PC. Though it's possible Windows had a correct Win7 driver in it's database even though ECS didn't have a Win 7 driver listed.

Fred Garvin · Feb 25, 2013

Re: Excessive freezing

Ahh, don't know why I didn't think of this earlier... Click the info tab on HD Tune and look for the firmware version. If it's not CC49, then upgrade the firmware from Seagate's website using the ISO method, not the .EXE method.

If you do upgrade the firmware, it's always advisable to backup your drive first just in case something goes wrong.

Solidify · Feb 25, 2013

Re: Excessive freezing

take your C drive out and mount it in another computer as a secondary drive

I only have this one computer at my disposal.

If you have a spare SATA hard drive around, you could clone your drive to the spare. Then remove your drive and boot up to the spare one. Check Event Viewer or HDTune for the C7 errors and see if the value under Data increases.

I have two spare HDDs: one SATA and one IDE, but last time I checked, they did not function properly either, what led me to buy this one.

You could try downloading Seagate's Seatools from their website, burn the utility to a CD and run their long test diagnostic. It's usually useless, but it might point to the drive. If the drive is a year or so old, you might be able to get it replaced under warranty.

I've ran that test less than a year ago but never by burning it to a CD. If needed, I will make a CD and re-run it, despite you hinting that it usually does not find anything. What seems more enticing is having Seagate replace my drive while it's still under warranty (it's a fairly new drive).

Lastly, the firmware for the internal HDD is listed as "CC38" in HD Tune Pro. Could you explain me more thoroughly how to proceed with the update as I have never performed a firmware update?

Fred Garvin · Feb 25, 2013

Re: Excessive freezing

It's very easy.

Download this file from Seagate and burn it to a CD. You have burn it as an ISO disc image from your CD burning software, you can't just drag and drop the file to a disc.

Here are the Seagate instructions for booting up to the cd.

As long as your cd/dvd drive is set as the first boot device when you turn your computer on, you'll boot right up to the disc. The software will list your hard drive model and you just click the corresponding letter to update the firmware.

Go this route first. I don't know why I didn't think of updating the firmware earlier. If you still have the freeze up issue after the firmware upgrade, I'd call Seagate and see if you can get it replaced under warranty. The drive will have at least a 1 yr warranty and they can tell by the serial #. If you tell them you're experiencing freeze ups and that the SMART data shows CRC errors, they may just do a cross ship for a new drive. Usually they want you to run their Sea Tools program first, so see what happens.

Solidify · Feb 25, 2013

Re: Excessive freezing

If you still have the freeze up issue after the firmware upgrade, I'd call Seagate and see if you can get it replaced under warranty.

So you're pretty certain that the issue is with my internal HDD?

Also, I'm download the firmware update and will run it now.

[SOLVED] Excessive freezing

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