Windows 10: seemingly random freezing of computer

Any help with how to access the log files that might indicate why the computer is freezing

It is a brand new install of Windows 10 on a SSD drive, ive tried to update all the drivers and bios... tried some of the usual chkdsk, repair, memory check etc... everything seems to look normal, at a bit of loss. Computer is a asus p8p67 m pro board with an I7 2600 and a 9800 gtx

:)

 

Random Crash/Freeze on Build 10130


Hello everyone.

I have been running the Windows 10 preview for the last few months and other than a driver issue here or there, did not experience any real problems. However, with the last update to build 10130, I have been experiencing a random crash/freeze that manifests itself in one of two ways:

1. If I step away from the computer and come back before the monitor is set to go to sleep, I will come back to a frozen cursor, unable to do anything.
2. If I step away from the computer and come back after the monitor has gone to sleep, I will come back to a black screen, unable to do anything.

In both cases, I have to hold the power button in to shut down the computer for a restart.

Any direction or help would be greatly appreciated.

 

Random freezes or shut downs

Completely random freezing/shutdowns on a system with no recent hardware changes, and hard drive, memory, and PSU fine, usually means a software issue (file corruption or malicious software). I suggest following DavidV's recommendations.

 

How to diagnose a system that freezes seemingly at random?

I am currently attempting to repair a laptop that experiences total system lock ups at random intervals, with a frequency of every few days.

Total lock up here is defined as no response to user input - Ctrl+alt+delete, no task manager, no Alt + F4, no smooth shutdown, display in a frozen state, no recovery if left alone

In this case, I am not asking for suggestions as to the cause, (as much as I appreciate any input offered) - I am asking for general advice in how to identify the cause of freezing, such as tools, logs and programs that may be able to trace the problem.

While the system in question here is a Windows 10 laptop, I believe it may be worth including wider suggestions for other operating systems and their versions, as future readers of this question might benefit from this.