Solved How I worked around my freezing problem on Windows 8

[DataBitz]

I've been running Windows 8 RP on a my laptop (clean install) since the day after it was released and it has been randomly locking up most of the time. I have rebuild once but the problem continues.

It seemed to be that the HDD would stop responding when this happened so I wouldn't get any logs to troubleshoot either. However I found this thread which indicates that CPU power saving (C-states) maybe causing the problem.
Browsers causing Win 8 RP to freeze
Unfortunately I have an HP laptop (Elitebook 8460p) and don't have access to disable the C-states in the BIOS.

So here is my workaround - not nice but it seems to work.
Until a proper fix is available I am running Prime95 all the time, which artificially generates CPU load. Preventing any of the power saving functions from being enabled in the CPU. Free Software - GIMPS
My machine was freezing almost hourly prior to this and has been running for days now without a problem, apart from the extra heat

 

[Simply]

hmm... Install nvidia driver win 7 x64 ver. 301.42 then restart your comp and delete nvidia control panel only, download driver through windows update, be happy, works like charm for me

 

[PoWn3d0704]

I love the fix. And I just have my BIOS set to stock settings atm, because I wanted to keep things simple while messing with 8. Funnily enough, if I'd've just kept my crazy OC settings, I wouldn't be crashing.

 

[DataBitz]

hmm... Install nvidia driver win 7 x64 ver. 301.42 then restart your comp and delete nvidia control panel only, download driver through windows update, be happy, works like charm for me

Nice but a different problem. I have ATI graphics - ATI HD7400M.

 

[choggo]

Solved my problem... Many thanks =]
(Disabled C-States)

 

[Simply]

well, happy to hear you solved your problem, had an idea it was something with c-states before, but it worked with NVidia method I mentioned earlier

 

[DM1]

If you have no disable C-States option in the BIOS (most laptops don't) you can workaround by creating a new Custom Power Plan and set - as an advanced option - in the Processor Power Management Tab the minimum processor rate at 50-70% ( i set myself at 50%) and the maximum processor rate at the very same value! (50%-50% or 70%-70%).

No crashes since then! Yes it takes from the processing power, but at least the system is stable.

 

[DataBitz]

Changing the min/max processor rate did not solve my problem. But enabling HyperV did and now there is an official workaround which I am trying now.
Workaround for Windows 8 freezing issues Within Windows