When downloading a game on steam, my computer freezes.

All Discussions > Steam Forums > Help and Tips > Topic Details

Overealness Jul 18, 2013 @ 4:06pm

I have had this problem for some time now and I can't seem to find any actual solutions for it, so here is my problem:

I start downloading a game(in this case Deus Ex: HR but it happens with any game) and Steam begins to download it but every few seconds my computer locks up, preventing me from clicking anything or doing anything except move my mouse around. After being frozen for several moments it starts downloading again but stops after another few seconds. Rinse and Repeat. I have re-installed the Steam client, started as Administrator, and nothing I do seems to help. I am running Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit. As you can imagine this is very frustrating, especially while trying to download massive games, so any help would be greatly appreciated.

< >

Showing 1-15 of 51 comments

Legendary old man Jul 18, 2013 @ 4:09pm

This could be a few things like virus infections, poorly optimized PC, rogue security programs, NIC drivers ect. I think I would start by uninstalling the NIC drivers and load some new ones up. Go to whoever manufactured the NIC to get the best drivers. Windows update uses crap drivers most of the time.

Overealness Jul 18, 2013 @ 4:13pm

My Laptop is very well optimized, so I know that's not the problem. I don't have any infections, but i'll run another MSE scan to make sure. My internet has been working fine so i'm pretty sure it has nothing to do with my NIC. Steam is the only application I have a problem with downloading.

Legendary old man Jul 18, 2013 @ 4:15pm

You internet working fine has nothing to do with overloading your NIC until it freezes your PC. If you are wireless try hooking up with a cable to see if that works better. If it does then look at your wireless NIC. I see so many of them that are trash for anything but surfing the web. Just because you can surf the web does not indicate your NIC is ok at all. It just means it is not 100% dead.

Last edited by Legendary old man; Jul 18, 2013 @ 4:16pm

Overealness Jul 18, 2013 @ 4:20pm

Trust me, it's not my NIC. I have Steam on my linux partition and it downloads games without any hiccups whatsoever. This freezing problem only happens when I download through the Steam client on Windows. Downloading files off websites or other applications works perfectly fine.

Legendary old man Jul 18, 2013 @ 4:24pm

Steam on Linux uses a different driver. I guess I can't help you. I repair computers for a living but you seem to know a lot already.

Many times I see NIC problems that affect just one game or program. If you will not even try hooking up with a cable long enough to test this someone else might be able to help you but I can not. Sorry.

Overealness Jul 18, 2013 @ 4:28pm

I forgot to mention that the problem persists even with a wired internet connection, sorry.

Legendary old man Jul 18, 2013 @ 4:30pm

Ok, then have you tried this?
https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=3134-TIAL-4638

Overealness Jul 18, 2013 @ 4:36pm

Yes, I did that yesterday...I just plugged in my ethernet cable to double check and it's actually running fine now, but what could cause it to only lock up during wi-fi?

Overealness Jul 18, 2013 @ 4:38pm

I checked for new wifi adapter drivers and it said I was up to date.

Legendary old man Jul 18, 2013 @ 5:29pm

Are you using Windows update to check for new NIC drivers? If so that is the problem. You need to either go to the manufactures website of your PC or better yet find out who makes the NIC and download the newest drivers from them. Windows is extremely bad when it comes to correct drivers. I have seen this problem many times when using the drivers Windows installs.

This problem has to be either the wifi driver, the wifi card or the router. Those are your only choices. Router firmware can also be updated.

Last edited by Legendary old man; Jul 18, 2013 @ 5:31pm

#10

Overealness Jul 18, 2013 @ 5:37pm

I actually used device manager to search for a new driver at first but after that I went to the hp support website and downloaded the Realtek driver from them. However, I just came across something that might explain what's going on. I use a program called Advanced SystemCare and I don't know if you are familiar with it but it basically cleans up your system like CCleaner but has a few extra features, like turbo boost. Anyway, I often use the Turbo boost so my games run better. I just discovered that when turbo boost is off, steam doesn't freeze my computer. I can only imagine that this has something to do with a service or process that ASC thinks is not required for gaming so it disables it, resulting in steam not being able to download properly.

#11

Overealness Jul 18, 2013 @ 5:39pm

Actually nevermind, it's still freezing up periodically even whith the turbo boost disabled so I have no freaking clue.

#12

Overealness Jul 18, 2013 @ 5:42pm

Turns out not to be fixed actually...and I just use ccleaner and ASC for convinience haha

#13

Legendary old man Jul 18, 2013 @ 5:43pm

Please list your computer model and the wireless card model if you know it. Also I would uninstall Advanced SystemCare. Those programs are trash. All you need is a good anti virus and a firewall.

CCleaner I like as it is not resident in memory.

Last edited by Legendary old man; Jul 18, 2013 @ 5:44pm

#14

Overealness Jul 18, 2013 @ 5:48pm

Computer Model: HP Pavilion g6 Notebook PC
WiFi Adapter: Realtek RTL8188CE 802.11b/g/n

#15

< >

Showing 1-15 of 51 comments

Per page: 1530 50

All Discussions > Steam Forums > Help and Tips > Topic Details

Date Posted: Jul 18, 2013 @ 4:06pm

Posts: 51

Start a New Discussion

Discussions Rules and Guidelines

Report this post