Recurring Problem Coming Out of Sleep/Hibernation

nanianmichaels

New Member
Messages
10
Hello, guys.

I have been having a very odd issue lately with my Windows 8 installation.

Apparently, my PC now randomly decides not to boot properly either from sleep or hibernation. It will go into sleep just fine (though managing to keep it sleeping for more than 5 seconds has been a chore itself), but sometimes it won't be able to come back from sleep properly: it will either black screen on me (very uncommon), or it will keep restarting several times, until either the "Automatic Recovery" pops up, or I manually reset it.

In all my years working with computers, I haven't seen anything like this :/ Services look fine, running apps also look fine, no virus found on a complete check of all almost 10TB of data...

Right now, I'm just about ready to drop the whole thing and go back to Windows 7, but I thought I might give this forum a try, it has helped me quite a bit in the past.

Thanks in advance for any help!
 

Attachments

  • SF_08-10-2013.zip
    1.9 MB · Views: 93

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
When it comes up with a Black Screen, check to see if there is a Mouse and the ability to ctrl-alt-del into Task Manager. If that is successful, try hitting Windows Key + P and then the Down Arrow, see if it brings the Desktop back. Try that up to 4 times, the 4th to get it back to default.

It's just a theory I have about the Black Screen of Deth, maybe the system is trying to show on a "Second Screen".

I'll look through the attachment.

Ok, I see things like this in your System Event Log:

Code:
Event[20]:  Log Name: System
  Source: Microsoft-Windows-Kernel-General
  Date: 2013-02-20T10:10:49.285
  Event ID: 15
  Task: N/A
  Level: Information
  Opcode: Info
  Keyword: N/A
  User: S-1-5-18
  User Name: NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM
  Computer: windows-uj49s6b
  Description: 
Hive \SystemRoot\System32\config\DRIVERS was reorganized with a starting size of 4657152 bytes and an ending size of 4730880 bytes.

I don't like that last part. You may be due for a full CHKDSK, don't do it through the OS, use an Install Disk, from a Command Prompt.

That is only one of the entries I saw where it said it was moving important files around, this is your REGISTRY hive, there are also other ones like this:

Code:
Event[26]:  Log Name: System
  Source: Microsoft-Windows-Kernel-General
  Date: 2013-02-20T10:10:49.501
  Event ID: 16
  Task: N/A
  Level: Information
  Opcode: Info
  Keyword: N/A
  User: S-1-5-18
  User Name: NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM
  Computer: windows-uj49s6b
  Description: 
The access history in hive \SystemRoot\System32\Config\SAM was cleared updating 54 keys and creating 4 modified pages.

So it looks like your entire Registry had been re-ordered. That might cause some of these problems. So try a full CHKDSK, all data areas.

Welcome to Windows 8 Forums!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro with Media Center/Windows 7
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus § DualCore AMD Athlon 64 X2, 2300 MHz (11.5 x 200) 4400+ § Corsair Value Select
    CPU
    AMD 4400+/4200+
    Motherboard
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus/Asus A8M2N-LA (NodusM)
    Memory
    2 GB/3GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce 8400 GS/GeForce 210
    Sound Card
    nVIDIA GT218 - High Definition Audio Controller
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Hitachi 40" LCD HDTV
    Screen Resolution
    "1842 x 1036"
    Hard Drives
    WDC WD50 00AAKS-007AA SCSI Disk Device
    ST1000DL 002-9TT153 SCSI Disk Device
    WDC WD3200AAJB-00J3A0 ATA Device
    WDC WD32 WD-WCAPZ2942630 USB Device
    WD My Book 1140 USB Device
    PSU
    Works 550w
    Case
    MSI "M-Box"
    Cooling
    Water Cooled
    Keyboard
    Dell Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Intellimouse
    Internet Speed
    Cable Medium Speed
    Browser
    Chrome/IE 10
    Antivirus
    Eset NOD32 6.x/Win Defend
    Other Info
    Recently lost my Windows 8 on my main PC, had to go back to Windows 7.
It's just a theory I have about the Black Screen of Deth, maybe the system is trying to show on a "Second Screen".
I'll keep the shortcuts handy, just in case. Thanks!

Unfortunately, though, when I say "black screen", I say "no video output whatsoever", there is no video signal being passed on to my amplifier (both it and the TV behave as if I was in a "no input" situation). I think it might have something to do with the HDMI handshake when coming out of sleep, maybe even having to do with the timing of when each device is powered up (especially the amp), since sometimes I loose sound when I return from sleep, and I have seen multiple instances of my TV appearing as audio output sinks, most of them being "unavailable". HDMI being finicky, probably :p

I'll try that trick when it happens again, since it actually resets my video output, and it's actually available even from the login screen, it might just do it for me.

Thanks again, and also for looking over my attachment.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
In that case, that has happened to me, disconnect the HDMI cable from the Computer and plug it back in, see if it resets.

I use an HDMI router, for 2 HDMI inputs, if you have something like that, that also interferes sometimes,. it prevents the signal from gong back to the TV. So if you have an HDMI selector box, take the Box out of the circuit and plug the HDMI cable straight into the TV.

Then it should reset the signal, you can unplug it and plug it back into the Selector box.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro with Media Center/Windows 7
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus § DualCore AMD Athlon 64 X2, 2300 MHz (11.5 x 200) 4400+ § Corsair Value Select
    CPU
    AMD 4400+/4200+
    Motherboard
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus/Asus A8M2N-LA (NodusM)
    Memory
    2 GB/3GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce 8400 GS/GeForce 210
    Sound Card
    nVIDIA GT218 - High Definition Audio Controller
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Hitachi 40" LCD HDTV
    Screen Resolution
    "1842 x 1036"
    Hard Drives
    WDC WD50 00AAKS-007AA SCSI Disk Device
    ST1000DL 002-9TT153 SCSI Disk Device
    WDC WD3200AAJB-00J3A0 ATA Device
    WDC WD32 WD-WCAPZ2942630 USB Device
    WD My Book 1140 USB Device
    PSU
    Works 550w
    Case
    MSI "M-Box"
    Cooling
    Water Cooled
    Keyboard
    Dell Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Intellimouse
    Internet Speed
    Cable Medium Speed
    Browser
    Chrome/IE 10
    Antivirus
    Eset NOD32 6.x/Win Defend
    Other Info
    Recently lost my Windows 8 on my main PC, had to go back to Windows 7.
I see the following items quoted. The drivers seem to be from 2007, do you know what they are?

HAL_FAILED_TO_RESTART_PROCESSOR_AFTER_SLEEP

SI3132.sys
SiRemFil.sys
SiWinAcc.sys
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Grown
    CPU
    i7 3770K
    Motherboard
    ASUS P8Z77 -v Pro, Z87-Expert
    Memory
    16 G
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GTX 680 Classified (2)
    Hard Drives
    Kingston SSD 240 GB
In that case, that has happened to me, disconnect the HDMI cable from the Computer and plug it back in, see if it resets.
Oh, that I might try, too. Thanks!

I use an HDMI router, for 2 HDMI inputs, if you have something like that, that also interferes sometimes,. it prevents the signal from gong back to the TV. So if you have an HDMI selector box, take the Box out of the circuit and plug the HDMI cable straight into the TV.
Well, the amp does work as an HDMI router of sorts. Direct connection might be a problem, though. I'll see what I can do.

I see the following items quoted. The drivers seem to be from 2007, do you know what they are?
Oh, dear... At least one of them (probably all three, because of their names) is from my Silicon Image 2-port SATA controller... That is NOT good news, if that is what's been causing the issues...

EDIT: Yep, a quick Google Search confirmed it: those are all three Silicon Image driver files.

I'll try to check if Silicon Image has newer drivers, but that controller (3132), while widely used even today, has been around for a LONG time. And I actually need it, I'm driving 8 drives (1 SDD, 7 HDDs) at once, and my motherboard only has 6 ports available.

EDIT: OK, found a signed driver from 2009 for Windows 7 x64. It installed without a hitch. It seems to be the most recent driver available, though, as even Windows Update comes up with nothing. Plus, it's the generic one.

Thanks for the input so far, you guys are a great bunch!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
Yah I knew that was a SATA card the moment I saw it, not a problem, but you should check for new drivers.

Is it a 4-Port Card? You may wanna check it, those SiL cards go bad after a few years. The Drives fall off the Bus. And the 4-Port cards are usually made to only host a Raid Array.

Actually, if any of your System drives are on the SATA Card, you may wanna swap it out to a SATA port on the MB, because of the same problem. After about 2 years, they just start dropping the drives.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro with Media Center/Windows 7
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus § DualCore AMD Athlon 64 X2, 2300 MHz (11.5 x 200) 4400+ § Corsair Value Select
    CPU
    AMD 4400+/4200+
    Motherboard
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus/Asus A8M2N-LA (NodusM)
    Memory
    2 GB/3GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce 8400 GS/GeForce 210
    Sound Card
    nVIDIA GT218 - High Definition Audio Controller
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Hitachi 40" LCD HDTV
    Screen Resolution
    "1842 x 1036"
    Hard Drives
    WDC WD50 00AAKS-007AA SCSI Disk Device
    ST1000DL 002-9TT153 SCSI Disk Device
    WDC WD3200AAJB-00J3A0 ATA Device
    WDC WD32 WD-WCAPZ2942630 USB Device
    WD My Book 1140 USB Device
    PSU
    Works 550w
    Case
    MSI "M-Box"
    Cooling
    Water Cooled
    Keyboard
    Dell Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Intellimouse
    Internet Speed
    Cable Medium Speed
    Browser
    Chrome/IE 10
    Antivirus
    Eset NOD32 6.x/Win Defend
    Other Info
    Recently lost my Windows 8 on my main PC, had to go back to Windows 7.
Is it a 4-Port Card? You may wanna check it, those SiL cards go bad after a few years. The Drives fall off the Bus. And the 4-Port cards are usually made to only host a Raid Array.
No, actually it's a PCIe 1x-to-2x SATA card. Bought about 18 months ago (wow, had no clue it had been so long ago).

I have had no problems with drives falling off the bus, or data stream errors for that matter. Though I'm using the non-RAID BIOS (which, albeit not being the standard configuration, is a valid one from SiI itself), since I have no use for it, I have Drive Bender managing drive duplication.

Let's see if anything else more problematic comes up. Especially because this is not an old thing, these problems have only started to happen starting a week ago or so.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
Well, the hardware itself is 2 years old, maybe it is glitching.

The Chips on the card may just be starting to wear out, try adding a fan to them. But usually 18 months is the lifespan of those cards, regardless of PCI or PCI-E interface.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro with Media Center/Windows 7
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus § DualCore AMD Athlon 64 X2, 2300 MHz (11.5 x 200) 4400+ § Corsair Value Select
    CPU
    AMD 4400+/4200+
    Motherboard
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus/Asus A8M2N-LA (NodusM)
    Memory
    2 GB/3GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce 8400 GS/GeForce 210
    Sound Card
    nVIDIA GT218 - High Definition Audio Controller
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Hitachi 40" LCD HDTV
    Screen Resolution
    "1842 x 1036"
    Hard Drives
    WDC WD50 00AAKS-007AA SCSI Disk Device
    ST1000DL 002-9TT153 SCSI Disk Device
    WDC WD3200AAJB-00J3A0 ATA Device
    WDC WD32 WD-WCAPZ2942630 USB Device
    WD My Book 1140 USB Device
    PSU
    Works 550w
    Case
    MSI "M-Box"
    Cooling
    Water Cooled
    Keyboard
    Dell Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Intellimouse
    Internet Speed
    Cable Medium Speed
    Browser
    Chrome/IE 10
    Antivirus
    Eset NOD32 6.x/Win Defend
    Other Info
    Recently lost my Windows 8 on my main PC, had to go back to Windows 7.
Well, the hardware itself is 2 years old, maybe it is glitching.
Well, if that's the case, I'll be glad the standard warranty for consumer products is 2 years in Portugal... :) Though it's still a lousy timing, and the cards should really be built to last a lot longer, even if used for 8+ hours a day (which was usually for me).
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
I suppose something to consider might be the start current required to start 8 hard drives at once. I have no indication such is a problem, but if the situation continues, you might consider disconnecting some to see if it makes a difference.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Grown
    CPU
    i7 3770K
    Motherboard
    ASUS P8Z77 -v Pro, Z87-Expert
    Memory
    16 G
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GTX 680 Classified (2)
    Hard Drives
    Kingston SSD 240 GB
I suppose something to consider might be the start current required to start 8 hard drives at once. I have no indication such is a problem, but if the situation continues, you might consider disconnecting some to see if it makes a difference.
Actually, they are automatically using Staggered Spin-Up (I'm guessing that comes from the B75 chipset/BIOS combo), which is why my startup sequence takes a little while longer: I hear the disks spin-up one by one, except the SSD, obviously.

However, the PSU *is* the oldest piece of equipment in the machine (I think at least three years, probably a bit more), and apart from the 8 disks, it does also have to power an HD7850 GPU (the CPU is a 3470, and the motherboard is very basic, so not that much power draw there), which means it might actually be going out. Sigh It wouldn't be the start of the school year if nothing broke... I don't know what is it, but September/October seems to be the death call for electronics.

Oh, I'm already dreading having to tear the whole thing down. Especially because I have cables going under the motherboard, and the cable work to keep 8 disks tidy and with decent airflow is a colossal pain to work through... Oh, well... Time to start shopping for a PSU, I guess. And I'll probably need something better than the €60 one I got last time. Ugh, this is going to suck.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
A-Ha, I knew there was a reason why you would not want to replace your SATA cables. Actually, it's not the Hard Drives that could cause a power problem, it's the CPU, an AMD CPU will need a lot more power than an Intel CPU, if a PSU is right at the limit of it's CPU Power Requirement, it may cause a power drain elsewhere, and THAT might affect the Drives.

Nevertheless, an Old PSU could cause this just as well as a PSU that does not have the proper Power Output. I'm using a 10 year old 550 Watt Works PSU. If your PSU is just at the limit of the power requirements, it could cause this whole problem, in conjunction with weak Sata DATA cables. That's just a Theory, can only be proved by trying a different PSU with more power.

I used to keep my Systems meticulously dressed, but years of having to run across the room to disassemble the whole thing at a moment's notice made me start being less meticulous. I hope solving this does not put you out too much, maybe you can leave the old cables in place while you try new ones.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro with Media Center/Windows 7
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus § DualCore AMD Athlon 64 X2, 2300 MHz (11.5 x 200) 4400+ § Corsair Value Select
    CPU
    AMD 4400+/4200+
    Motherboard
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus/Asus A8M2N-LA (NodusM)
    Memory
    2 GB/3GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce 8400 GS/GeForce 210
    Sound Card
    nVIDIA GT218 - High Definition Audio Controller
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Hitachi 40" LCD HDTV
    Screen Resolution
    "1842 x 1036"
    Hard Drives
    WDC WD50 00AAKS-007AA SCSI Disk Device
    ST1000DL 002-9TT153 SCSI Disk Device
    WDC WD3200AAJB-00J3A0 ATA Device
    WDC WD32 WD-WCAPZ2942630 USB Device
    WD My Book 1140 USB Device
    PSU
    Works 550w
    Case
    MSI "M-Box"
    Cooling
    Water Cooled
    Keyboard
    Dell Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Intellimouse
    Internet Speed
    Cable Medium Speed
    Browser
    Chrome/IE 10
    Antivirus
    Eset NOD32 6.x/Win Defend
    Other Info
    Recently lost my Windows 8 on my main PC, had to go back to Windows 7.
A-Ha, I knew there was a reason why you would not want to replace your SATA cables.
Oh, you were referring to the SATA cables. I thought you meant the power cables.

Both are a colossal pain to re-route, though: I have data cables going under the board, around it, behind the 5.25'' bays... EVERYWHERE! AND they are duck-taped down, too... *Sigh*

The data cables, however, are slightly easier to move. I have them bundled just at the right places, which means they are always just in the right place :D

Actually, it's not the Hard Drives that could cause a power problem, it's the CPU, an AMD CPU will need a lot more power than an Intel CPU, if a PSU is right at the limit of it's CPU Power Requirement, it may cause a power drain elsewhere, and THAT might affect the Drives.
I'm running an i5 3470, a 7850, and the 8 drives. This PSU has already powered a full-blown i7 860, plus a 4870, and two drives. I don't know which is worse :p

I used to keep my Systems meticulously dressed, but years of having to run across the room to disassemble the whole thing at a moment's notice made me start being less meticulous. I hope solving this does not put you out too much, maybe you can leave the old cables in place while you try new ones.
I know that feeling. There was a time I was fiddling with my case like once or twice a week, it was horrible. Nowadays, though, I'm much more contained... lol

As for solving the problem... Well, two days after the driver update, it seems it's stable now, which is good news. I'll continue to test it, but it sounds like the problem was there.

In any case, though, I sprung for a new PSU, it wasn't too expensive, but it was about twice the price I paid for my last one. Still, it's Seasonic-based, and 750W at that, so it should be more than enough... hehe (XFX Core Edition, if you're wondering).

I should be able to put it all together this weekend. I'd have it now, but I forgot the box at work... :/

For now, though, it seems this might be filed under "Solved". Thanks for all your help, guys!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
That's why I said, just unplug the DATA cables from the MB, Card and HDs, and string NEW ones across, dont bother taking the old ones out yet. First we have to identify if they all, or maybe a single one is the problem. try doing it one at a time starting with your main System drive.

I won't tell you the Horror Stories of my system yet, or maybe I will. I spent hours dressing it and making it perfect, and after screwing the LID back on, one of the Data cables was not set correctly and I had to do it all over again. 3 hours work, that's when I quit dong it.

So, think the new PSU did the trick? Good, let me know how it runs after you get it all put back together.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro with Media Center/Windows 7
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus § DualCore AMD Athlon 64 X2, 2300 MHz (11.5 x 200) 4400+ § Corsair Value Select
    CPU
    AMD 4400+/4200+
    Motherboard
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus/Asus A8M2N-LA (NodusM)
    Memory
    2 GB/3GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce 8400 GS/GeForce 210
    Sound Card
    nVIDIA GT218 - High Definition Audio Controller
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Hitachi 40" LCD HDTV
    Screen Resolution
    "1842 x 1036"
    Hard Drives
    WDC WD50 00AAKS-007AA SCSI Disk Device
    ST1000DL 002-9TT153 SCSI Disk Device
    WDC WD3200AAJB-00J3A0 ATA Device
    WDC WD32 WD-WCAPZ2942630 USB Device
    WD My Book 1140 USB Device
    PSU
    Works 550w
    Case
    MSI "M-Box"
    Cooling
    Water Cooled
    Keyboard
    Dell Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Intellimouse
    Internet Speed
    Cable Medium Speed
    Browser
    Chrome/IE 10
    Antivirus
    Eset NOD32 6.x/Win Defend
    Other Info
    Recently lost my Windows 8 on my main PC, had to go back to Windows 7.
That's why I said, just unplug the DATA cables from the MB, Card and HDs, and string NEW ones across, dont bother taking the old ones out yet. First we have to identify if they all, or maybe a single one is the problem. try doing it one at a time starting with your main System drive.
I read "unplug" as "unplug the power cable", which would make sense if the PSU wasn't handling the load.

I'll see what I can do about that, though. The case is in a rather... odd place, behind the TV/monitor (a 37'' LCD TV). Moving the whole thing is tricky enough, but pulling it apart and re-mounting everything at least 8 times in a row is "tricky", to say the least...

I'm curious, though: why would flaky SATA cables mess with my ability to boot with multiple drives, if I am not experiencing any apparent data corruption issues on the system drive? Also, no data issues have happened on any other drive (especially the 6 large drives, Drive Bender apparently keeps them in check).

The only odd data management behavior I have felt comes from what I think is a colossal bug in Windows: both Windows Explorer and Windows Media Player completely bog down the system when handling files. Explorer hangs my Downloads folder (and only that one) for a few seconds if it grows bigger than a few GBs; and WMP completely locks files for several seconds after having read them, which makes listening to a song, changing to a new one, and deleting the first one (or a bunch of them you just listened to), a complete pain, or just plain impossible.

Anyway, as I said, I'll check what I can do about the logistics of testing the SATA cables. I don't even have any more angled ones, I'll need to get some if something is funny in that area.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
All I know is that I replace my cables once a year.

If your system is hanging when opening folders containing large files, or Programs that handle them, you may need to Optimize your Main Drive, you said your main drive is SSD? Windows 8 has been said to not be able to efficiently optimize SSD's - I use a paid program to do it, actually I just installed it to this machine and it has been running a lot better after automatically optimising after a week.

Set up your Windows Hard Drive Optimiser to run every day at Midnight and then leave the system on for 5 days, even that will make Movies play better. I take it you use the machine for Media?

You can use one of the Free optimizers here, but the free ones give you limited function, and Piriform Defraggler is not one of the good ones, don't use that. Check the Optimizers mentioned here:

The 10 Best Free Hard Drive Utilities | PCWorld
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro with Media Center/Windows 7
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus § DualCore AMD Athlon 64 X2, 2300 MHz (11.5 x 200) 4400+ § Corsair Value Select
    CPU
    AMD 4400+/4200+
    Motherboard
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus/Asus A8M2N-LA (NodusM)
    Memory
    2 GB/3GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce 8400 GS/GeForce 210
    Sound Card
    nVIDIA GT218 - High Definition Audio Controller
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Hitachi 40" LCD HDTV
    Screen Resolution
    "1842 x 1036"
    Hard Drives
    WDC WD50 00AAKS-007AA SCSI Disk Device
    ST1000DL 002-9TT153 SCSI Disk Device
    WDC WD3200AAJB-00J3A0 ATA Device
    WDC WD32 WD-WCAPZ2942630 USB Device
    WD My Book 1140 USB Device
    PSU
    Works 550w
    Case
    MSI "M-Box"
    Cooling
    Water Cooled
    Keyboard
    Dell Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Intellimouse
    Internet Speed
    Cable Medium Speed
    Browser
    Chrome/IE 10
    Antivirus
    Eset NOD32 6.x/Win Defend
    Other Info
    Recently lost my Windows 8 on my main PC, had to go back to Windows 7.
All I know is that I replace my cables once a year.
Any special reason for that? Seems a bit... Excessive?

If your system is hanging when opening folders containing large files, or Programs that handle them, you may need to Optimize your Main Drive, you said your main drive is SSD? Windows 8 has been said to not be able to efficiently optimize SSD's - I use a paid program to do it, actually I just installed it to this machine and it has been running a lot better after automatically optimising after a week.
It's not any folders containing large files, it's folders containing many files that add up to large amounts of space used. And even then, it varies: my Downloads folder (on the SSD) gets chocked up with 36 files and under 1GB; the same happens with a folder with just over 40 files and 30GB (on a mechanical drive); and a 20GB folder with over 30GB (also on a mechanical drive) and 200 files gets loaded instantly. It's madness...

I always read that, besides TRIM, which is already run by Windows automatically anyway when it's installed on an SSD and the drive is idling, you shouldn't defragment a solid-state drive, because that will only make it waste write cycles (that link also states "you can't optimize an SSD" - as in defragmenting it). In any case, what software are you using?

Set up your Windows Hard Drive Optimiser to run every day at Midnight and then leave the system on for 5 days, even that will make Movies play better. I take it you use the machine for Media?
This machine is kind of "Jack of all trades". It is my general use machine, my gaming machine, and my HTPC. I had a dedicated WHSv1 machine before, but it was getting long in the tooth, and I was having to turn on two machines when I wanted to watch a movie, so I consolidated, and removed a source of noise in the process.

It seems the integrated Windows Defrag utility has been running. My drives come up as 0% fragmented (though TRIM on the system drive hadn't been run in 20 days, for some reason, and it did help a bit with the loading times for the Downloads folder).

OK, I'm heading to bed now. Tomorrow night, and during the weekend, I'll see what else I can come up with.

Again, thanks for all the help you gave me.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
Your system sounds like MY system. I figure it's not excessive to replace my DAta cables once a year, good ones only cost a few bucks. The way I determine which ones to replace is by turning off the OEM Boot Logo during Boot, so I can see the Drives initialize. I have three HDDs and a couple of USB drives connected to this system, and 2 Sata HDDs and one IDE on my Media System, I have the Logos shut off for both, and I can see if any of the drives skip during boot. Sometimes all it takes is re-seating the cable, but if it keeps happening, then I replace the cable and it stops.

It's not any folders containing large files, it's folders containing many files that add up to large amounts of space used. And even then, it varies: my Downloads folder (on the SSD) gets chocked up with 36 files and under 1GB; the same happens with a folder with just over 40 files and 30GB (on a mechanical drive); and a 20GB folder with over 30GB (also on a mechanical drive) and 200 files gets loaded instantly. It's madness...

That's exactly how my system is, my Downloads folder is huge, and I have thousands of images in my Pictures folder, in about 100 Folders. Sometimes it will take up to a minute to populate the contents of those folders. I'm sure I need to sort it out better, or move it to a storage drive.

Whatever brand your SSD drive is, you should download the Optimizer tool from the OEM if they make any, unless it is a Samsung, people had had problems with their tool. You may have to invest in a good Optimizing program made for SSDs.

Looks like Sean made this, you might want to go through it:

Sean's Windows 8 Install & Optimization Guide for SSDs & HDDs

I found this too, a lot of info on SSD drives:

https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Solid_State_Drives
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro with Media Center/Windows 7
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus § DualCore AMD Athlon 64 X2, 2300 MHz (11.5 x 200) 4400+ § Corsair Value Select
    CPU
    AMD 4400+/4200+
    Motherboard
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus/Asus A8M2N-LA (NodusM)
    Memory
    2 GB/3GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce 8400 GS/GeForce 210
    Sound Card
    nVIDIA GT218 - High Definition Audio Controller
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Hitachi 40" LCD HDTV
    Screen Resolution
    "1842 x 1036"
    Hard Drives
    WDC WD50 00AAKS-007AA SCSI Disk Device
    ST1000DL 002-9TT153 SCSI Disk Device
    WDC WD3200AAJB-00J3A0 ATA Device
    WDC WD32 WD-WCAPZ2942630 USB Device
    WD My Book 1140 USB Device
    PSU
    Works 550w
    Case
    MSI "M-Box"
    Cooling
    Water Cooled
    Keyboard
    Dell Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Intellimouse
    Internet Speed
    Cable Medium Speed
    Browser
    Chrome/IE 10
    Antivirus
    Eset NOD32 6.x/Win Defend
    Other Info
    Recently lost my Windows 8 on my main PC, had to go back to Windows 7.
Well, bad news, apparently...

Yesterday night I went to bed, leaving Windows to update and shut down. This morning I woke up to a view of the Automatic Recovery screen, and the system failed to load a couple of times before finally entering Windows. *sigh*

I guess I'll have no other chance: I'll have to change the cables. But I'm not going down without a fight: if I'm changing the cables, I'm also upgrading the system drive in the process (Samsung Evo, and I'm doubling the storage to 250GB), and re-install Windows from the ground up. That installation has gone through too much already, including an ill-fated attempt to make it work as an LTE router (don't ask).

Now to see if I can get my hands on 7 SATAII cables, and one SATAIII. Plus figure out if I actually want to keep Windows 8 or not...

Sometimes all it takes is re-seating the cable, but if it keeps happening, then I replace the cable and it stops.
I might try that first. After all, that case has been moved a few times over the last couple of months... You never know just what vibration is capable of...

That's exactly how my system is, my Downloads folder is huge, and I have thousands of images in my Pictures folder, in about 100 Folders. Sometimes it will take up to a minute to populate the contents of those folders. I'm sure I need to sort it out better, or move it to a storage drive.
I don't know why, but that behavior in Windows 8 seems like a bug. It doesn't make sense, much larger folders (and with many, many more files) elsewhere, and on mechanical drives no less, have no problems, but the Downloads folder just purely hangs. Common knowledge about SSDs says that should simply NOT happen...

Whatever brand your SSD drive is, you should download the Optimizer tool from the OEM if they make any, unless it is a Samsung, people had had problems with their tool. You may have to invest in a good Optimizing program made for SSDs.
My SSD is an Agility 3, 120GB version. I never used its Optimizing program (nor have I updated its firmware, maybe I should, too), but Windows has been running the TRIM command, so it should at least be semi-maintained, right?

That seems a nice guide. I'll take a look at it later, when I get home. Thanks!

Oddly enough, I knew most of that already (except for the Linux part, that is, I'm utterly clueless on that front), from the articles on Anandtech and Tom's Hardware :p.

Let's see if my weekend is productive on resolving this problem, I'm starting to get a wee bit pissed off with it... lol
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
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