Author: parsec
Subject: H170m pro4 freezes when there's network activity
Posted: 23 Feb 2017 at 1:14am
I can't guarantee my suggestions will cure your problems, but it sounds like you have skipped the most basic and required software and driver installations. All of the other driver installations depend upon one of these to identify the platform and install things correctly. You did not mention these things, so I can only assume they were not done.
Your board's Windows 7 download page is here:
http://www.asrock.com/mb/Intel/H170M%20Pro4/?cat=Download&os=Win764
First and foremost is the Intel INF file installation program, the INF driver ver:10.1.1.38 installation program from your board's download page. I'm sure it also exists on your driver disk. This installation program must always be run FIRST, before anything else.
INF stands for Information files, that identify and provide other information about the Intel hardware in a mother board. Without these files, the other driver and software installation programs don't get the complete picture of the system. You should be prompted to restart the PC after the INF file installer is complete, do not skip that step.
Next is the Intel Management Engine driver ver:11.6.0.1126, which must be installed second, after the INF files. What this does varies depending upon the chipset and processor in the board, but is an essential installation for any Intel system.
After those two, there is no specific order of driver/software installation. If you did not run both of these installation programs, do that now. After that, you should run all the other installation programs you have already run, to be sure they were installed correctly. When you run them, if it asks if you want to install the driver again, or possibly repair it, select Yes. The network diriver MUST be installed again.
Windows will normally activate itself if the network connection is working correctly. I wonder if that is even true. You may need to install Firefox and Chrome again, and possibly configure your network connection after the network driver is installed again.
You are no where near the stage of returning the mother board. We know very little specifically about your hardware, such as if your memory is compatible with your board. We need the full model number of your memory.
The one thing that caught my eye is the OCZ Solid 3 SSD. Not known as a high quality SSD, sorry to say, and was sold only for a short time. In the UEFI/BIOS, Advanced > Storage Configuration screen, did you change any options in that screen? The SATA mode MUST be AHCI with an SSD. Also, the entry for the SSD in that screen has an option to set the Drive Type. By default it is set to HDD, please set it to SSD.
I would also consider using a new SATA data cable.
Subject: H170m pro4 freezes when there's network activity
Posted: 23 Feb 2017 at 1:14am
 p3matty wrote:Brand new install of Windows 7 64bit on an h170m pro4 mobo (installed via disc with usb/ps trick in bios). Install went smoothly, then installed usb 3.0 and LAN drivers from cd included with mobo - thinking that once those two things are good I can get online and download updated drivers to install, or transfer them to computer via usb drive if downloaded to another computer. Within 10 seconds or so of opening up an internet browser (in this case IE) the computer will completely freezes and will need to be turned off from power button - no activity on screen and mouse won't respond. Ended up unplugging network cable and installing all drivers directly from disc and then reconnecting network cable to the same result - homepage will open up and I may be able to navigate to another page for a few short seconds before the computer will lock up again and need to be manually turned off and restarted. I was able to also install firefox and google chrome - some results once open. Will also happen if I attempt windows update (it sees that there are updates available, but will freeze when I begin downloading them). Only things connected to mobo are 8gb memory stick, CPU, one optical dvd drive, and one ssd (ocz solid 3 I believe). Windows is not yet "activated" (didn't want to do that until I verify everything is working correctly). Why is this happening? Is this a software issue or hardware? Might I need to return/replace the mobo? Any help would be greatly appreciated. |
I can't guarantee my suggestions will cure your problems, but it sounds like you have skipped the most basic and required software and driver installations. All of the other driver installations depend upon one of these to identify the platform and install things correctly. You did not mention these things, so I can only assume they were not done.
Your board's Windows 7 download page is here:
http://www.asrock.com/mb/Intel/H170M%20Pro4/?cat=Download&os=Win764
First and foremost is the Intel INF file installation program, the INF driver ver:10.1.1.38 installation program from your board's download page. I'm sure it also exists on your driver disk. This installation program must always be run FIRST, before anything else.
INF stands for Information files, that identify and provide other information about the Intel hardware in a mother board. Without these files, the other driver and software installation programs don't get the complete picture of the system. You should be prompted to restart the PC after the INF file installer is complete, do not skip that step.
Next is the Intel Management Engine driver ver:11.6.0.1126, which must be installed second, after the INF files. What this does varies depending upon the chipset and processor in the board, but is an essential installation for any Intel system.
After those two, there is no specific order of driver/software installation. If you did not run both of these installation programs, do that now. After that, you should run all the other installation programs you have already run, to be sure they were installed correctly. When you run them, if it asks if you want to install the driver again, or possibly repair it, select Yes. The network diriver MUST be installed again.
Windows will normally activate itself if the network connection is working correctly. I wonder if that is even true. You may need to install Firefox and Chrome again, and possibly configure your network connection after the network driver is installed again.
You are no where near the stage of returning the mother board. We know very little specifically about your hardware, such as if your memory is compatible with your board. We need the full model number of your memory.
The one thing that caught my eye is the OCZ Solid 3 SSD. Not known as a high quality SSD, sorry to say, and was sold only for a short time. In the UEFI/BIOS, Advanced > Storage Configuration screen, did you change any options in that screen? The SATA mode MUST be AHCI with an SSD. Also, the entry for the SSD in that screen has an option to set the Drive Type. By default it is set to HDD, please set it to SSD.
I would also consider using a new SATA data cable.