Z170 Pro4S system freeze

parsec wrote: What OS and version are you using?

Windows 7 Home Premium 64Bit

How have you installed the basic drivers for your board?

I installed from an ASRock download page for my board, and later updated versions directly from either intel or Realtek.

While the audio driver might be the problem (not saying it is), the distorted sound from the audio source is just a side affect of the system freezing in general, and would happen regardless of the reason for the freezing issue.

This is true. As I said it is only my guess, because it always happens when some media content is playing, but it also might be just a coincidence though.

Now I remembered there was some other problem with audio where all sounds were somewhat distorted while computer still running. This went away after I updated audio driver to a different version.

Just to check, the Intel graphics also has an audio source (Z170 chipset), and if you are using the Intel graphics, you might also be using the Intel audio. You may have the Realtek audio configured as your audio source, just mentioning the situation that both exist.

I'm not sure I understand this correctly. I have not noticed option to switch between Realtek and Intel audio chipset in BIOS. Only "HD" vs "AC97". Default being HD I believe.

You said this usually happens when "some media content is running. Do you just mean audio, or is that video?

Usually it is both audio/video. Either media player or YouTube, but I cannot be sure it was so in each and every case system froze this way.

You said you are using the Intel graphics, what are you using as a video driver?

Intel drivers, installed with Intel Driver Update Utility which I used to find and update drivers before. I have not updated to latest Intel graphics driver version yet, as my previous updates did not solve the problem.

In the past, I've had problems with the Adobe Flash player, that is used by web pages to display videos. Recently there have been several updates for the Adobe Flash player. Do you know if it is installed, and if so do you have the automatic update option enabled?

Yes, but as I said it (freeze) does happen also without Flash being involved (non-browser media playback).

You mention you are using the version 7.00 UEFI/BIOS. Did you ever use a different version in the past?

Yes, probably all versions available. I think I had a record uptime with 3.50 version without freeze, but as always it also could be just a coincidence. I had system freeze with all BIOS versions since the v2.xx

Very hard to investigate this for me, system can be running several weeks without problem and then just freeze (exactly what happened today btw).

Only thing I can think of is to disable onboard audio in BIOS and use standalone audio card, then wait and see.


(by the way, email notification to subscribed threads, does not seem to work)


Edited by tor11 - 18 Nov 2016 at 2:25am

Could someone please say whether this problem will ever get a reply and if not just where one should go in an attempt to get one because this computer is driving me round the bend?

parsec wrote: You mention you are using the version 7.00 UEFI/BIOS. Did you ever use a different version in the past?

Exactly. Here's another graphics issue with the Kaby Lake 7.00 BIOS parsec.

Guys and gals, drop back to BIOS 3.50 on the Z170 Pro4S and post the results.

7.00 is somewhat flaky unless you have an ES Kaby processor. This BIOS ONLY addresses updating two item for Kaby yet it seems to affect more than that fol those with Skylake processors.

I posted the following because it appeared to be like my problem.  If it dosent fit I apologise. Ever since Windows 10 was installed nearly every time I open an Internet page with a graphics content the computer freezes and I sometimes have to switch it off.  I assume it is the Graphics board does not have an effective driver.
ASRock H67M-GE

Hello,

What graphics card or HD530?