Question Computer crashing, but no clear reason! (Older system) (Long version)
Question Computer crashing, but no clear reason! (Older system) (Long version)
System details:
Operating system: Windows 7 Professional 64 bit
Motherboard: GA-990FXA-UD3
Memory: Corsair DDR3 16GB XMS / (current) Patriot DDR3 32 GB
Processor: AMD FX FD 8350 8-core
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6Gb / GeForce GTX 1080 8gb
Power supply: Gigabyte 750 GM
To recap the issues:
The graphics card frequently shuts down, causing the whole system to freeze with a black screen. The mouse and keyboard also stop responding. Often the power or reset buttons on the case become non-functional, requiring a forced shutdown via the PSU switch. Meanwhile, the CPU and fans continue to spin. After restarting, the display stays blank and the peripherals don’t work.
Using another machine, tests were carried out this summer (results included):
Hard drives: Checked with chkdsk and DiscGenius, all are in perfect condition. Also confirmed that HDs can be transferred between cases without problems; the OS loads smoothly and there are no crashes even after long usage on the borrowed unit.
Memory: Verified via Windows 7 diagnostic tools; Corsair RAM is functioning properly. Patriot RAM remains untested.
Power supply: Tested with a PSU tester; everything was normal, and using it in the borrowed machine showed no issues.
Processor: A second processor of the same brand and specifications was purchased. It behaves identically—still causing crashes.
Motherboard battery replaced, CMOS reset, BIOS set to defaults. Replacing the motherboard did not help.
Graphics: The GTX 1060 is working; currently relying on it for this configuration. The GTX 1080 appears faulty after trying it in a completely different setup, with an error message appearing unexpectedly.
The only untested component was the power socket and surge protector.
Describing this situation would require exaggeration. The system has been fully rebuilt, yet these crashes continue (cannot overstate the random nature; possibly due to Power On, Windows logo, or during gaming, writing, music playback, video watching). It seems likely the graphics cards are the culprits, though the 1060—used for years before issues started—now is quiet. I’m either unlucky with parts (everything refurbished or used) or possibly affected by some external influence.
If possible, please assist!
This is one of the initial AMD boards that supported UEFI, considering the issues Sandy Bridge faced with early UEFI setups, I recommend using Win 7 in Legacy BIOS mode. This restricts booting to disks of 2TB or less. Running Win 7 in UEFI mode demands UEFI 2.0 with CSM activated since it invokes INT10 during boot from UEFI. Models like GA-990FXA-UD3 v1.0, 1.1 and 1.2 feature a "Hybrid EFI" which I wouldn't advise. Versions 3.0, 4.0 and 4.1 offer complete UEFI support and could be viable, though Legacy BIOS remains preferable for small disks and Windows 7 users. The 10 series GTX should function adequately in Legacy BIOS mode (I even suggest testing Windows XP, although no XP drivers exist for it).
If you're already set up in Legacy and it operated smoothly for years, it's possible updates were recently reinstalled after the WindowsUpdate servers for Win7 ceased functioning on Jan 16th 2023.
legacyupdate.net provides a functional mirror or WSUS proxy server that replicates the old WindowsUpdate catalog for Windows and Office, allowing you to perform manual updates via a browser—similar to the original WindowsUpdate process for older systems.
I believe GTX1080 won't significantly outperform GTX1060 on the FX8350; both will support 1080p, though you might notice more visual enhancements with GTX1080.
Hi, I have a comparable setup I’m currently using. My hardware includes a Gigabyte 990fxa ud5 version3.0 motherboard, 32 GB Trident RAM, 9370 FX CPU GTX 1050 TI with 4GB graphics card. I have a WD Blue 1TB SSD and a Hybrid Seagate 2 TB HDD. The PSU is a Seasonic 1050 Watt unit. I originally had the liquid cooler for this CPU, but it failed aftermarket use. The BIOS is set to version 2015 for this board.
Currently, I run Windows 11 24H2 with UEFI and everything is working perfectly. It’s fully updated. I suggest you upgrade your BIOS to the latest version compatible with your motherboard. You might also consider a clean install of either Windows 10 22H2 until October 2025 or Windows 11 23H2 using Rufus 4.5 or 4.6 to generate a bootable USB drive, depending on your choice. You can also try installing Windows 11 in legacy mode—just switch your BIOS settings accordingly.
Microsoft offers the download now; it should reduce many compatibility problems since Windows 7 is no longer supported.
I have a 14-year-old Dell system running Windows 7 Professional 64-bit, which I still use for old games. As someone who enjoys gaming, I’m sharing my thoughts and recommendations. Cheers.