Is there anything that will fix win 7?

[glen]

Win 7 hangs on me so much I am now convinced that something is simply wrong with it.
If I cannot find my win 7 copy, does it matter as long as I have the key, because I am thinking about doing a complete reinstalation.

 

[tcsenter]

Hangs frequently = hardware or driver issue (or to a lesser extent, some application issue)

 

[0roo0roo]

You can find iso out there, as long as you have your key it should be fine. I'd test hardware though, memtest86 or whatever overnight blabbity blah.

 

[shimpster]

might have a look here

http://support.microsoft.com/fixit/

 

[SimMike2]

I would blame hardware. Likely suspects are bad memory (RAM), bad videocard, bad motherboard or bad power supply. The simplest first step is look for updated video card drivers.

 

[0roo0roo]

only after testing
if the system works on knoppix or something like that then it isn't hardware.

 

[Fayd]

only after testing
if the system works on knoppix or something like that then it isn't hardware.

no, it could still be bad hardware. could be bad harddrive, bad memory, bad video card... knoppix doesn't do 3d accel, so it doesn't even stress the video card.

 

[Cerb]

no, it could still be bad hardware. could be bad harddrive, bad memory, bad video card... knoppix doesn't do 3d accel, so it doesn't even stress the video card.

Knoppix does use 3D acceleration OotB, if it can. The showy Compiz on by default is one thing I really hate about it.

Kombustor, memtest (any Linux live CD), and HDD diags could be worth checking into. Another thing, that I hadn't considered before, could be CPU temp. CPU throttling from heat can cause hangs, sometimes.

Any old ISO of the same version should work, or you could see what the OEM will do (Dell, was it?), after getting bounced around a bit on the phone.

Also, did you try changing AV clients, just in case it was that?

 

[glen]

Yes. I have tried a number of AV clients and versions.
No luck.

 

[JackMDS]

http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/what_is_hang.html

 

[SimMike2]

Yes. I have tried a number of AV clients and versions.
No luck.

You have to focus on the hardware. I've known too many people who put up with flaky computers, all the while blaming Windows, when it was actually a hardware problem.

 

[pcunite]

I know it is very frustrating, but to give you hope Windows 7 is extremely stable. Sometimes PC's have bad power supplies that cause all sorts of problems, then it is the motherboard, then it might be RAM. Hopefully you'll find your error soon and cheaply.

Recently I fixed someones computer by taking it apart and reseating the cards and ram. Someone had apparently kicked it and dislodged something.

 

[Saithegeek]

Download a Windows LIVE cd and run the diagnostics tools to see what is the culprit. It will give you great insight. In addition if you don't know the KEY that you used to install your windows with, the cd will also have a program that can look it up for you in the event you want to do a reinstall of Windows. Do a google search for "windows live cd" or google "Hirens." Good luck!

 

[glen]

Where would I take my computer to see if it is a hardware issue?

I am about to buy an 80G external HD so I can save my Picasa pictures and then I shall format and reinstall Win7. This will only cost $30 and some time assuming I can find an ISO and my key.

 

[0roo0roo]

just never trust a single disc with your pictures, you burned them to dvds too right?

 

[Rifter]

Test the hardware. I hate windows and wish i could use linux for everything but win 7 is by far the most stable MS client OS ever. My money is on bad ram or vid card driver issues.

 

[glen]

Test the hardware. I hate windows and wish i could use linux for everything but win 7 is by far the most stable MS client OS ever. My money is on bad ram or vid card driver issues.

How do I test the hardware?

 

[Rifter]

How do I test the hardware?

memtest for the memory. Test it one stick at a time and do multiple passes.

Prime95 tests are good for testing CPU and motherboard and memory controllers.

OCCT is good for GPU as well as PSU and motherboard testing.

Rull all the tests for at least a few hours.

 

[oynaz]

What do you mean that Windows "hangs". It crashes?

 

[Chiropteran]

What do you mean that Windows "hangs". It crashes?

I'm just sitting here using my computer when suddenly windows 7 jumps out, starts going through my laundry, and folds and hangs my shirts. After hanging all my shirts, it does the same with my pants. It even hangs my socks, clearly this is some sort of bug, please help!

 

[glen]

What do you mean that Windows "hangs". It crashes?

Well, I supose I would say "Crash" if all of Windows stopped or blue screened. I use "Hang" to mean only one of the programs running has stopped (not responding).

 

[Scotteq]

Dig around in the Performance monitor (type 'Performance' in the search box...) - You will likely find some messages on what the OS has detected. Once there, you have a place to start troubleshooting.

 

[Cerb]

IIRC, audio and video would freeze for seconds at a time.

 

[jcesten]

It probably isn't (wasn't) hardware. Occasionally the problem can be associated with a certain program, but there's still an underlying problem with the OS. Don't believe me? Google this: "windows 7" "not responding". Include the quotes. There are over one million hits! When is MS going to address this ?!?!!? I'm REALLY sick of having to fight with this issue on my users' computers.

 

[dawks]

It probably isn't (wasn't) hardware. Occasionally the problem can be associated with a certain program, but there's still an underlying problem with the OS. Don't believe me? Google this: "windows 7" "not responding". Include the quotes. There are over one million hits! When is MS going to address this ?!?!!? I'm REALLY sick of having to fight with this issue on my users' computers.

Its less a Microsoft problem, more a third party software issue. Windows 7 and the NT kernel as far back as NT 4.0 (in my experience) is rock solid. The main stability issues relate to hardware, or drivers. Programs not responding are often related to poor code in those programs. Anyone can write an app, including those who know just enough to make an app work, much less the intricacies of memory management, good networking, or proper security.

Hard locks where the system just freezes solid tend to be memory (RAM) issues. Other crashes can be harder to troubleshoot. Bad sectors on a harddrive, video card instability, a virus, etc..

As for the OP, the quickest fix, to at least help isolate the problem is a fresh install. It could be a million problems on a dirty install, so installing fresh narrows it down significantly (almost to hardware exclusively). It also eliminates the possible problem of 3rd party drivers (the Microsoft drivers are typically very stable).