Computer freezes but does not crash (no BSOD)

pepanee · 18 May 2020

I have an application named Macro Express Pro. It apparently has a bug with Windows 10.

Every time the computer freezes, the only thing possible is pressing Ctrl + Alt + Delete
It opens Task Manager, and I end the task for Macro Express. Once I do that, the computer comes back completely normal. If I open that application again within a few moments, the computer freezes again, yet if I open the application minutes later, everything works with no problem.

Don't know what that is all about, but I'm so happy I figured out what causes the computer freezing. Doesn't happen all the time which is good. But that application is a necessity and I depend on it for many different computer tasks.

Don't know if the same "idea" may apply to your computer, but look into that.

smartcooky · 18 May 2020

pepanee said:

I have an application named Macro Express Pro. It apparently has a bug with Windows 10.

Every time the computer freezes, the only thing possible is pressing Ctrl + Alt + Delete
It opens Task Manager, and I end the task for Macro Express. Once I do that, the computer comes back completely normal. If I open that application again within a few moments, the computer freezes again, yet if I open the application minutes later, everything works with no problem.

Don't know what that is all about, but I'm so happy I figured out what causes the computer freezing. Doesn't happen all the time which is good. But that application is a necessity and I depend on it for many different computer tasks.

Don't know if the same "idea" may apply to your computer, but look into that.

The problem with that is the keyboard is locked up, so CTRL+ALT+DELETE does nothing.

Jacee · 18 May 2020

Your computer is running on a very low/limited process for Windows 10.......
OS: Windows 10 Home 32 bit
Memory: 4 GB

RJARRRPCGP · 18 May 2020

Suspect bad capacitors (a.k.a. "bad caps") in PSU, if not the motherboard as well, even if not visibly bad.

Badcaps.net Forums - How To Identify

Steve C · 19 May 2020

smartcooky said:

There was another freeze this morning (4:23 am) and the only thing recorded by the Task Manager was that "System" had very high power use at the moment of the freeze. I shut it down and decided this would be a good chance to reseat the RAM, and I noticed a couple of things that that I didn't really take much notice of the first time it did that.

1. The three 4GB sticks of RAM are located in slots 1, 2 and 4. Is that normal/acceptable?

2. They are not all the same

Two are identical - they are Crucial CT51264BA160B.c16fkr, and the odd one out is a Kingston ACR16D3LU1KFG/4G
I have read somewhere that mismatched RAM sticks can cause problems, so I have decided not to put the odd one back in, see how things go without it. This computer is only used for image manipulation and scanning prints, slide and negatives, not very demanding on RAM

The manual says to use memory with the same CAS latency. You should be fitting memory modules in pairs to benefit from dual channel operation and you should chooses memory from the ASUS qualified vendors list. Hopefully, not using the additional memory will resolve the issue.

smartcooky · 19 May 2020

Jacee said:

Your computer is running on a very low/limited process for Windows 10.......
OS: Windows 10 Home 32 bit
Memory: 4 GB

I am not seeing how that could be relevant to the problem. In the OP I make it clear that this is not the system in my profile - its Win 10 64 Bit with 12 GB (now 8GB) of RAM

joeandmarg0 · 19 May 2020

Does Reliability History give any flags/information for the freezing events?
Does Device Manager give any ,in particular,Display Adapter?
Type ---dxdiag--- in the search box and check all pages.Note the driver version given on the display page and download it,or a later version if available,from the maker's site only.
If possible,use Display Driver Uninstaller [DDU],in Safe Mode,to completely remove the driver,then install the new one.
Avoid using driver "removal and replacement" tools,Win 10 does a better job.
Only use matching memory sticks,mixing and matching is better left to ladies fashion.

Jacee · 19 May 2020

smartcooky said:

I am not seeing how that could be relevant to the problem. In the OP I make it clear that this is not the system in my profile - its Win 10 64 Bit with 12 GB (now 8GB) of RAM

I'm sorry that I did miss that, my mistake.

smartcooky · 21 May 2020

Ever since I re-seated the RAM and left out the odd-man-out RAM stick, I have not had a freeze - no freezes during the day, and no freezes overnight for three consecutive nights (it usually froze overnight every night or at least every second night).
Hopefully, removing that mismatched RAM stick has solved it.

I will let it run 24/7 for the next week, and if there are no more freezes, I will come back and mark it as solved.

zbook · 21 May 2020

Nice progress.

If you run the log collectors on post #9 the logs can be scanned for significant problems.
Then significant problems can be troubleshooted.

Update the specs in the my computer section:
System Specs - Fill in at Ten Forums
In the left corner below in your post you find 'My System Specs'.
After clicking it you can find a link a little below that says 'Update your System Spec', click on this link to get to the page where you can fill in your system specs.
System Info - See Your System Specs - Windows 7 Help Forums

Include PSU. cooler, case, peripherals and anything attached to the computer by wired or wireless (mouse, keyboard, headset, printer, xbox, USB wireless network card, etc.)