Windows 8.1 X64
Original OS is Windows 8.1 X64.
Windows 8.1 came preinstalled on prebuilt PC from IBuyPower
Age of System: 4-5 yrs
Age of OS installation: Hasn't ever been reinstalled since purchase.
CPU : I5-6600K @3.50ghz (no overclock)
VideoCard: GTX 960
Motherboard currently: MSI Z170A SLI PLUS (Don't remember original motherboard, it has been replaced due to trying to fix this problem!)
Power Supply: Not sure on brand but 600W
-----------------------------------------------------------
I've been dealing with a hard freeze for the last 2 years, thinking it was some sort of house electrical problem (due to the house having such problems) but now I've moved and the problem has followed me to (two!) computers from completely different sources trying anything between these two years. I'm trying to diagnose my main computer instead of the side computer I was given to try to get over this problem.
When the freeze occurs, all temperatures are fine in HWMonitor, and it can happen during just simple web browsing. There is no dump files created (although the SysNativetools pulled 3 2016 crashes that I have no idea about nor are they in the timespan I believe) nor is a BSOD displayed. The computer freezes and the audio begins to stutter like you're taking a cartridge out of a video game console while it's on. I'm then forced to hold the button in to restart it. This problem can occur up to once a day, but sometimes twice every 1-3 weeks. I've even taken notes of how long it's gone without freezing and it got up to 30 days at one point.
I've replaced... the motherboard, power supply due to it supposedly failing twice (its possible it didn't, as when I tried a different power outlet it worked again but I replaced it anyway.) keyboard, mouse. I've not replaced anything else. Culprit is possibly the hard drive but I would like to try to verify this with someone who knows more before I go nuclear on it. Thank you for your help :)
