Strange soft crash issue possibly with GPU and Drivers??

First System specs:

Windows 10 Home Version 22H2 Build 19045.4291
AMD Ryzen 5 3600
B450 Gaming Plus Max MB
GTX 970 GPU
16GB DDR4

Okay with that out of the way, I've been having this strange issue ever since I flashed my motherboards bios. Not sure if that's a reason but saying it anyway. So occasionally my pc soft locks/crashes or something to the point where I can't do much and have to force a shutdown. Sometimes it allows me to shut down or restart like normal. What I've noticed is.. GPU utilization goes from 100% and then to -1% particularly on video encode when I check my task manager. I did some searching and found a few others with the same issue. For them it was GPUZ and/or HWmonitor, both of which I had installed. I uninstalled them, plus a corsair utility that I wasn't using anyway and I still have the issue.

I also noticed there is a .sys file (cpuz158_x64.sys) that I cannot remove. I've tried to remove it via Lockhunter but windows replaces it on startup. Now I still don't know if this is the cause, but its starting to get a bit annoying now so I came here. Sometimes I go for days without it happening and others it will happen multiple times. I read that it could be driver issues with windows, but I'm stumped. Its not urgent.. just annoying, so any assistance will be appreciated.

Ghot said:

@Cosmiqq

1. Get REVO Uninstaller 9free) and install it.
2. Use REVO to "uninstall" CPU-Z and HWInfo. When REVO offers to "scan for leftovers", do that and delete everything it finds.
3. Below are links for the "portable" versions of those programs (no install necessary).

DOWNLOADING CPU-Z_2.09-EN.ZIP | CPUID

Free Download HWiNFO Sofware | Installer & Portable for Windows, DOS

GPU-Z already is portable...
TechPowerUp GPU-Z v2.59.0 Download | TechPowerUp

Just put these in a folder... anywhere, and create a shortcut to their .exe file.

As for GPU-Z it already is portable. The only way for GPU-Z to cause 100% GPU usage, is if you are running the "Render Test".
The Render Test is started by the tiny "?" iat the right end of the Bus Interface section.

Okay will give this a go

dalchina said:

Good - out of curiosity- how did you determine these were using it?

I seem to have seen mention of some odd problems with Corsair before.

So remember lock hunter? I used the corsair file instead of the cpuz.sys and it pointed directly to it. I also did the same with coolmaster+ (I completely forgot I downloaded that for my mouse to set up some buttons)

Also another update: It hasn't happened since I removed that .sys file. Ive been able to game, and be productive and such and it hasn't frozen since. So it does seem like that file is an issue AT LEAST with my version of windows and level of drivers. This is the longest its gone without it happening, so it seems as tho its all good for now!