Windows 10 random hangs (can only move mouse)+ freezes, related to SSD

zakk · 17 Nov 2016

Greetings

I have the following system about 2 years ago:
MSI GTX 780 Ti.
i7 4790k,
Asus z97 pro m/b,
8 gm ram kingston,
SSD Plextor 256GB m2,
and 1 wd SATA3 hd,
with win10 x64 v1607 build 14393.447 (i.e. windows stable with the anniversary update -not insiders build- ) .
Windows, system chipset drivers and ssd firmware, are all up to date.

Unfortunately, since yesterday 4 times so far , the desktop started hanging (like the communication with the SSD had stopped) or freezing.

I was just browsing in Chrome, editing some text, or listening to music during that time.
The system had not "freeze", because I could move the mouse (it was the rotating blue circle icon),
but nothing would respond (I couldn't open any program/file, not even task manager).
The music would still keep playing though. (one time, the mouse cursor froze too after a few minutes.)
Anothe time, it hang while trying to run an installer program, at the UAC prompt ('do you want to allow this app to make changes to your device').

When the system hang, the disk activity LED would stop blinking.
The only way was to hard restart the system (via the case's restart button).

After the hard restart, there were no relevant entry in Event Viewer,
chkdsk did not show any errors/bad sectors in either disks.
and, S.M.A.R.T. didn't show any problems for either disk, at all.

The only changes I have made to the system in the last few days,
was to update NVidia drivers from 375.70 from 375.86, and to update VMWare Workstation.
I reverted back to 375.63 (via the nvidia installer|click the "perform a clean installation" checkbox, in order to fully remove 375.86),
and also clean-installed VMWare Workstation, or uninstalling it altogether.
but it didn't help.

Also, I tried changing in Power Settings the 'Link State Power Management 'setting from Moderate to Off, but it didn't help.

How can I fix this ?
Thank you

PS. Almost a year ago, I had the same exact issue , when I switched from stable to 10586 insider build.
At that time I thought that the m.2 SSD was causing this.
So, I RMA'ed the SSD to Plextor.
But, Plextor said they examined the SSD and it has no problem.

I eventually received it back after.
Immediately I cleaned-installed windows 10 stable (I'm not sure if it's build 10240 or 10586 stable).
After that, he issue never occurred again for the last year, until two days ago..
Therefore I can't tell for sure weather the SSD is faulty, or it's some issue of Windows.

zakk · 20 Nov 2016

Update:
I was continuinuing to have constant hangs/freezes yesterday:

I was having random hangs as described above while doing simple things as copying files,
or taking a screenshot with win key+PrtScn and then trying to open that just taken screenshot: the system would hang before the screenshot file icon was changed to a thumbnail,
i.e. the system hang while the new screenshot file was still having the general pictures icon by windows.
the system froze three times while I was playing Call of Duty Infinite Warfare.
the very last froze happened while I had booted the system with a USB stick and had started the procedure of clean-installing windows (10 build 10586) :
the system froze during the stage while it was "Getting files ready for installation (14%)"!! (generic screenshot)

After every hang/freeze, there was no relevant entry in Event Viewer.
Also S.M.A.R.T report was also ok all the time, with no error values whatsoever.

So, I decided to remove my m.2. SSD.
I kept only my wd HD on which i clean-installed Win 10 build 10586:
after that, absolutely no more hangs/freezes anymore (including during the windows installation procedure)

Therefore the problem is definitely related to the SSD.

SO my question is this:

do you think it's the m.2. SSD to blame? (unfortunately, I don't have anyone to give my m.2 SSD to test it in his system and find if it's faulty on his system too)
Has it happened to you too, a SSD to be faulty with such symptoms?
or it's the motherboard's electronic section which provides m.2 support that is the faulty one?

silasw · 28 Nov 2016

I think I have the same problem, I am still trying to work it out. I will try getting a new drive to install Windows on.

EdTittel · 28 Nov 2016

For testing M.2 drives, an M.2 to SATA converter is invaluable. I have purchased several for this very reason, and recommend this one: Startech M.2 to SATA adapter (Newegg: $19). They also have model that handles NGFF type M.2 drives, if that's what you've got rather than a standard PCIe/SATA model.
HTH,
--Ed--

froller2 · 04 Dec 2016

ive had the exact same issue! i went out bought a new ssd, new ram and gpu, but the problem is still there, mine isnt as often as your and pretty much only happens when i open/close or play rust.

ive scanned both the old ssd and the new and no errors or anything, and the firmware is up to date.

Caledon Ken · 04 Dec 2016

For zakk and I'm just asking.

I see you have a K class processor. Have you tried SSD with all overclocks disabled, assuming you are overclocking your K series processor? Also have you tried to change any of the settings in your BIOS (UEFI) related to an M.2 drive?

In one Asus Z97-Pro manual it mentions on page 3-37, PCH Storage Setup, one of the first options is "Auto". Have you tried forcing the priority to M.2. You will also notice an item for "Aggressive LPM support" as you mentioned Link State Power Management

I maybe looking at wrong manual for your Z97 MB but I assume the Asus UEFI's are all close. Also not sure why this would just start being an issue but I think it might be worth taking a look at. You didn't mention but have you ruled out any memory issues?

zakk · 04 Dec 2016

Thanks to all for the replies.

Caledon Ken said:

For zakk and I'm just asking.

I see you have a K class processor. Have you tried SSD with all overclocks disabled, assuming you are overclocking your K series processor? Also have you tried to change any of the settings in your BIOS (UEFI) related to an M.2 drive?

In one Asus Z97-Pro manual it mentions on page 3-37, PCH Storage Setup, one of the first options is "Auto". Have you tried forcing the priority to M.2. You will also notice an item for "Aggressive LPM support" as you mentioned Link State Power Management

I maybe looking at wrong manual for your Z97 MB but I assume the Asus UEFI's are all close. Also not sure why this would just start being an issue but I think it might be worth taking a look at. You didn't mention but have you ruled out any memory issues?

I have never overclocked the CPU, from day one, because I want stability from my system, that's my first priority.

Also, I've kept the BIOS settings to "Optimized defaults". I haven't changed any settings (apart from enabling the Virtualization Technology (VT) feature) in order to be able to use x64 OS in VMWare Workstation).

Because, I have never changed anything in the BIOS, I don't think that tweaking it will fix the issue.

Please note, that the SSD was working ok (without me changing anything) until last December.
Then I first RMA'd it. After receiving it from the RMA, it worked ok for nearly a year.
A few days ago, the problem started re-occuring (without me changing anything).

I don't think that there are RAM issues, because after removing the M.2 ssd,
and using either only my standard hard disk, or my new SATA3 SSD (see below) the issues never occur again.

And, because I'm through with all these constant hangs/freezes with the m.2 (this situation is SO annoying, it's a nightmare),
I've purchased a Samsung 850 Pro 2.5'' SATA III this week to replace the m.2, and haven't got any issues with it.
I clean installed windows 10 x64 build 10607 in it.

I will RMA the m.2 to Plextor once more, nevertheless.

miqbaln · 09 Dec 2016

same problem, after latest windows update 14393.497

revert back to 10586 + defer upgrade (and doing update)

idk why i always having this problem, in early 1607 build and yesterday

itsme1 · 09 Dec 2016

I have the same problem. To have a blue screen and an entry in the event observer, wait several minutes (20-40min).

Caledon Ken · 09 Dec 2016

itsme1. Could you complete your system specs at least type of machine and graphic device.

In your description,which I would say is not the same problem, your device produces a blue screen, I think, which I assume is a BSOD. The BSOD must be giving you both an error number and file description. Have you recorded these or does you machine just auto boot? If indeed your machine is BSOD'ing then I would suggest you open a new thread with relevant info as this thread is environment freezing.

What happens after you wait 20-40 mins? Do you have to wait?