Windows 7 freezes after about 5 minutes.

[normbarb]

I have a customer with a Windows 7 desktop computer that freezes after 5 minutes. It has an AMD processor and 8GB of RAM.

I am working on the computer remotely, so that somewhat limits my testing/repair options. It is particularly problematic because I only get 5 minutes before it freezes and the customer has to manually reboot.

The freeze only happens in Normal Mode. Runs fine in Safe Mode. This makes me think that it is a software (malware/virus) problem.

I modified the startup to remove non-Windows services and programs that load at boot up. (No change)

I have run Norton NPE -- found and repaired two problems.

Malwarebyes found and removed one threat.
Virus scan: nothing found
Malwarebytes Rootkit: nothing found.

I tried a restore to a point before the problem started. However, it did updates as soon as it booted. I will try this again after changing the automatic update setting.

Any thoughts or ideas would be greatly appreciated,

Thanks, Norm

 

[coffee]

Could be anything. Its hard to tell as there isnt enough info. SInce it runs fine in Safe mode it very well could be a driver issue. I would remove the video driver (nvidia / amd ?) and start narrowing it down from there with any other drivers.

 

[glennd]

System events?

 

[Altster]

You say you have a client with Windows 7 issues yet the title of this posting is "
Windows 10 freezes after about 5 minutes."
So are they running 7 or 10?

I agree with coffee - remove the video drivers and see what happens?

Also are there any other peripherals / items connected to the computer which are not necessary to make it run? If so, have the user disconnect them to see if they are having any effect on the computers operation(s).

Hi coffee. Hope you're doing better.

 

[normbarb]

I looked at System Events and did not see anything that looked out of line. I will check it again. I will try the video drivers when we connect this afternoon. Thanks, Norm

 

[katz]

Is this a Win 7 or Win 10 pc? You could run task manager and see if there are any resource hogs that look out of the ordinary. Maybe have a look at the system with Autoruns for anything odd. I'm not sure if a driver issue would work okay for five minutes and then cause the system to freeze. As you stated, kinda hard to deal with this type of thing remotely...

 

[Krynn72]

Bad Hard Drive probably. Run your choice of windows SMART tools and I'd wager its got bad sectors.

 

[coffee]

If the computer is indeed locking up it wouldnt have time to write anything to the logs.

In the case of the hard drive, Boot up a Linux Mint cd and go into accessories/disks and run a smart test. It will tell you if its a hard drive issue. However, Because there is no issue when in safe mode I would not think its a hard drive issue. I really think this is going to be some driver issue and its going to be a matter of finding the right one.

Perhaps run msconfig and start disabling programs from startup would also be an idea.

coffee

 

[cypress]

Your title and description to the thread are conflicting on what OS it is. However I did have a similar issue a couple days ago with a client. Windows 7 and they were complaining it was freezing. Issue was some malware starting up while booting in the task manager. Found some traces with Emsisoft and found the remaining with Adwcleaner. After that was removed, I did a reboot and issue was quickly fixed. Hard drive had some age on it anyways and when I ran Crystal Disk Info and gSmartcontrol they both came up failing.

 

[normbarb]

Is this a Win 7 or Win 10 pc? You could run task manager and see if there are any resource hogs that look out of the ordinary. Maybe have a look at the system with Autoruns for anything odd. I'm not sure if a driver issue would work okay for five minutes and then cause the system to freeze. As you stated, kinda hard to deal with this type of thing remotely...

Window 7. Sorry about the confusion. Norm

 

[katz]

Window 7. Sorry about the confusion. Norm

Well, then...this may be a bit easier to diagnose, as Win 7 is much more stable and simpler to work with/clean, etc. than Win 10. Good luck - let us know how you make out with it.

 

[NJW]

However, Because there is no issue when in safe mode I would not think its a hard drive issue.

Unless (e.g.) the graphics driver is spanning a couple of bad sectors.

SInce it runs fine in Safe mode it very well could be a driver issue.

I have also seen, for example, an Nvidia BGA graphics chip lock up with the OEM driver, but run fine for the user's purpose with the generic Windows driver.

 

[cypress]

Window 7. Sorry about the confusion. Norm

Trying running the tools suggested and see what comes up.

 

[normbarb]

If the computer is indeed locking up it wouldnt have time to write anything to the logs.

In the case of the hard drive, Boot up a Linux Mint cd and go into accessories/disks and run a smart test. It will tell you if its a hard drive issue. However, Because there is no issue when in safe mode I would not think its a hard drive issue. I really think this is going to be some driver issue and its going to be a matter of finding the right one.

Perhaps run msconfig and start disabling programs from startup would also be an idea.

coffee

I did disable all of the startup files and services. Still locked up.

 

[normbarb]

Recommended that he take it to local shop since doing remote was very cumbersome with less than five minutes of connection time before it locked up. Customer is in FL and I am in VA. Thanks for everyone's help. I will try to find out the solution and post it.