Random Freezes/Reboot The Only Option/ASUS GL553VE

gblaskov · 19 Apr 2018

Hi All,

This problem has been going on for a while. I bought my laptop new January 2017, was hit with a string of BSOD issues until ASUS released a BIOS update; however, I also had random freezes that would occur, and they have not stopped.

Scenario 1: the freezes happen on startup (Windows 10). I login, but leave the room for a minute and come back and the mouse and screen are frozen. Ctrl+Alt+Del, Ctrl+Esc do not work when it freezes, my only option is to hold the power button down to restart. I've tried waiting for 10-15 minutes, but to no avail.

Scenario 2: I have an application open on my C Drive (SSD), and File Explorer open on my D Drive (HDD) - or something similar - and it freezes.

Specs: ASUS GL553VE
Windows 10 64-Bit
i7-7700HQ @ 2.80GHz
16384MB RAM
Intel HD630/Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050Ti
Micron_1100_MTFDDAV256TB (SSD)
Seagate ST1000LM035-1RK172 (HDD)

Tried updating drivers for both graphics cards and for Dual Band Wireless Adapter April 16th, but to no avail.

Thanks in advance!

Caledon Ken · 19 Apr 2018

Hi gblaskov. Welcome to the TenForums @gblaskov

Have your run sfc /scannow? It's a starting point.

Is reliability history showing anything? (Click Start, type reliability history, should be at top of list. )

I would also check both drives, chkdsk c: /f and chkdsk d: /f

Would also run diagnostics on memory. You can use Windows Internal tool

mdsched.exe

at command prompt(admin) or powershell(admin)

or use Memtest86

MemTest86+ - Test RAM

Either way really exercise your memory, memtest86 tutorial says at least 8 passes.

Have you checked for recent BIOS updates from Asus.

and Firmware from Micron for SSD?

Ken

gblaskov · 22 Apr 2018

Hi Ken,

Thanks for the reply!

1) Have your run sfc /scannow? It's a starting point.

-I ran "DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth" first as Windows suggests; there were no issues.
I ran sfc /scannow second and there were no integrity violations.

2) Is reliability history showing anything? (Click Start, type reliability history, should be at top of list. )

-It is showing a lot of Errors. The consistent one that shows up on the days of crashes is:

-"Windows Audio Device Graph Isolation - Stopped Working"
"Faulting Application Path: C:\Windows\System32\audiodg.exe"

However, I'm not sure if that is just because the system froze, so the audio stopped too. In general, this is three events all related to
C:\Windows\System32\audiodg.exe.

3) I would also check both drives, chkdsk c: /f and chkdsk d: /f

-I ran "chkdsk d: /f" and "Windows has scanned the file system and found no problems. No further action is required."
In order to run "chkdsk c: /f" I had to restart since the system runs on the C Drive. It said it was scanning and repairing, but
I'm not sure if anything was fixed?

4) Would also run diagnostics on memory. You can use Windows Internal tool

mdsched.exe

at command prompt(admin) or powershell(admin)

or use Memtest86

MemTest86+ - Test RAM

Either way really exercise your memory, memtest86 tutorial says at least 8 passes.

-I ran "mdsched.exe" and no problems were found with the memory.

5) Have you checked for recent BIOS updates from Asus.

There are no critical updates from ASUS to download.

6) and Firmware from Micron for SSD?

I can check the current version in device manager -> disk drives -> properties -> details -> Harware lds
I get "SCSI\DiskMicron_1100_MTFDDAV256TB_M0M" as the current version I believe. I'm not 100% sure how to check if this is
the most recent firmware. I went to Micron's site and I believe this page might be the current firmware? Advanced Search

Caledon Ken · 23 Apr 2018

Agree, is audiodg.exe the cause or the result. I would start with cause.

Anything special about sound on this laptop, special branding etc, like Beats Audio, or Bose whatever.

I would check that sound adapter has been identified properly by Windows. You may even find that installing the driver directly from Asus makes things better. If you do this I would recommend shutting off automated driver updates, option 4 this tutorial.

Enable or Disable Driver Updates in Windows Update in Windows 10

On several threads it suggested uninstalling adapter, restarting and letting windows re-install.

Looks like Micron has tool to manage SSD.

https://www.micron.com/products/soli...utive-software

Warning, updating Firmware can cause data lose. You have to investigate and you absolutely need a backup.

Lots of members use Macrium. If you go this route make their boot disk.

Backup and Restore with Macrium Reflect

I might look into the Micron forums and see if others with your drive are having freezes. I would like to see vendors publish a change log telling us why they have new firmware, like it corrects this or that, provides this functionality, etc.

gblaskov · 23 Apr 2018

I have three devices listed in Device Manager under "Sound, Video, and Game Controllers,"
-Intel(R) Display Audio
-NVIDIA Virtual Audio Device (Wave Extensible)(WDM)
-Realtek High Definition Audio
The Realtek speakers needed a driver update.

I'm not sure how to check if the sound adapter has been identified by Windows properly.
How would I go about uninstalling the adapter and letting windows re-install?

Thanks for the Micron tool. I downloaded it, it says that I have current firmware version.

Micron only appears to have "Community Blogs," and no forums. There doesn't seem to be anything about freezes in them.
I found a few threads from 2011-2015 on Crucial SSDs where disabling the "Link Power Management" feature of Intel SATA controllers
fixed the freezes.

Caledon Ken · 23 Apr 2018

Excellent, give it a try.

To uninstall a device right click on it. So right click on Realtek and uninstall. Keep software for know if asked.

The way I check for misidentified items. I head to manufacturing site and I see what drivers they have. So in this case I would be looking for Realtek.

Then do you have anything Nvidia. Likely a little sticker on laptop that states it has a Nvidia card. I guess the Intel Display Audio is for built in graphics.

I would see from Asus, on their driver page exactly what Nvidia device and Intel Graphics you have. Those graphics adapters may need updating.

gblaskov · 24 Apr 2018

I uninstalled the Realtek device, and by the time I restarted it was already reinstalled. I checked the driver, and it was up to date.

I checked my current graphic driver version numbers in "System Information."

Intel(R) HD Graphics 630
Driver Version: 23.20.16.4849

I downloaded version 15.65.5.4982 from Intel's website. This should be the most recent version and is compatible with my CPU. I am unsure if I should install it because I'm not sure how it might affect something else?

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050Ti
Driver Version: 22.21.13.8573

The "GeForce Experience App," is supposed to update the drivers for this automatically. I updated the driver today through the app.

The new BIOS version is called 306 on ASUS website: ROG GL553VE BIOS & FIRMWARE | Laptops | ASUS Canada

According to "System Information -> System Summary" I have version GL553VE.302 (2017-03-06), I believe that means it is out of date. I know you asked about this earlier, but the updater said "no critical updates," so I'm not sure if updating BIOS matters? There are no drivers for me to download on the ASUS website at this time.

AUDIODG.EXE, version: 10.0.16299.248

Update: I also haven't had any freezes in about a week, so I'm not sure if the problem has been solved already.

Caledon Ken · 24 Apr 2018

Excellent. Yes driver updates are always a should I or shouldn't I. Since you are having issues I would be more inclined to update.

I would strongly recommend you look at Macrium Reflect if you haven't already. I can't remember, you may already be using.

With Macrium you create a backup that you know with confidence you can restore. It is free for home use. If you use do make the necessary boot disk (USB) and test it.

I set my machine up, as have others, to have Windows and programs in one partition and Data in another. This facilitates backing up the system files regularly.

Backup and Restore with Macrium Reflect

Also make a restore point. More paths to restoration the better.

BIOS's are different animals as they do present real risks. A botched BIOS update can brick a machine. That said a machine that freezes can also be very painful. Should you decide to update, and this is your choice, be patient, plugged in with a charge in battery.

Personally I've updated lots of BIOS's and have never lost one. Reading the instructions before hand, following the instructions and being patient are the keys to success.

It would be helpful if Asus and other vendors stated what each BIOS fixes.

Oh yes, what is date on 306. I ask as some vendors are releasing BIOS's to "Resolve" Spectre and Meltdown conditions. I would do a little more reading on what 306 includes. If it dated 2017 or earlier it does not have Spectre or Meltdown "fixes".

Ken

gblaskov · 14 May 2018

I took a little while to do anything else because it seemed like the machine was behaving. It's back to its old ways of freezing up again. The Intel driver I downloaded was apparently the wrong one, it wouldn't install for me and gave an error message. I believe this is because it was not released by ASUS, but I tried downloading from Intel's website.

Caledon Ken · 14 May 2018

Please take a look in the Windows update history and see what has been installed since it started acting up again, particularly in the driver section at the bottom of list.

The BIOS could be the issue. I'm not sure either when they say critical, could be all machines are impacted. If only a percentage then maybe it's not critical. You've done BIOS updates before so you understand risks. Again I would not install if dated 2018 without a lot of research.

What version and build on you on again? Windows key + R, type winver, enter.

Do you have a lot of software or a lot of customizations in packages you are running?

Can you make this device freeze on demand?