Okay so around level 22, 45 hours, auto-save on, using around 4 save slots, and using both Boone and Ed-e, I started having freezing mainly when I was in combat or during an area with enemies. Boone had several other weapons on him and other items, Ed-e had just normal workbench materials. About 2-4 minutes in, the game would freeze (especially around the southeast Legion heavy areas) and the system would have to be shut down and restarted. I tried older saves and while I might be able to go a little longer (5-10 min) the game would still freeze at some point. I looked at this forum and cleared the cache which still didn't help. Finally after reading about issues with Boone and Ed-e, companion inventory and weapons issue, I decided to take everything off of them (Boone wanted his hat back of course) and said goodbye to them. I can say that since then I have played about 2 hours and I have not had a freeze up since (crosses fingers). The game seems to run somewhat smoother and quicker (normal vats transitions, actual character movement, and fps). While granted I liked the help they gave me (Boone was almost one shot killing most stuff) and made the game easier, I guess I will be playing without companions as getting rid of them has apparently worked for me. I hope that this might work for some of you if you have roughly the same companions and freeze up that I was having. Maybe this will help the developer pin point a major cause of freezing. I will update should the freezing returns but I hope playing with my fingers crossed and knocking on wood will keep me safe.