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160434
September 5th, 2012 07:00
Aurora R4 Freezing Up
My Alienware Aurora R4 (that is less that 7 months old) is now freezing up when I do any number of things...
Examples:
- When its been idle and then I wake it
- When I a watching a Netfilx movie (sometimes it will play for 30-60 mins and then freeze)
- When I a just on the web
This is just a short list and mainly on Firefox.
I have called "Support" and they have updated the BIOS to A05 from A03 (then I have flashed it since), they have uninstalled the video drivers and reinstalled the ones from Dell, they have uninstalled Firefox and reinstalled it... had me run all sorts of diagnostics (that passed while they were connected on Assist).
Last night after talking with "Support" and doing another round of tests etc, they told me to run the tests from F12 ePSA I think it was called. At that point it started to make a beeping noise and had a message that the HD was not there or something (at work now and don't have the specifics)... But I rebooted a few times and it finally saw the HD and loaded the OS... And of course it froze after I tested by watching Netfilx and letting it idle overnight and this morning I clicked the browser tab and it froze.
I doesn't seem like any one in "Support" knows anything helpful and just run through a script of things to try... Is this hardware or BIOS or what ... doesn't seem like the video card as it was then having issues with seeing the HD... This is a replacement system and I can't even tell you how disheartening this is that the best of the best Dell has to offer is now useless at this point... and to have to get a new HD and uninstall all the programs etc when this seems like a conflict with some config ... argh!
Please help before I have to take this to a higher level
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Tesla1856
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January 6th, 2013 19:00
If you try another Win-7 clean install (without Intel RST) be sure to try these:
CHIPSET DRIVER
Intel Chipset Driver Optional 9.3.0.1020 10/29/2012 Windows 8 64-bit
ftp1.us.dell.com/.../Chipset_Intel_W84_A00_Setup_35RJ2_ZPE.exe
ftp1.us.dell.com/.../alienware-aurora-r4.html
See if they will install in Win-7 also. However, if those are the ones you have been using all along, go with the Intel.com ones (likely newer). Notice there have been 3 versions posted by Dell so far.
hutcha4113
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January 7th, 2013 06:00
Never did run the surface test on the HD's. That is next on the list.
The workaround didn't actually work. Performance is better, but the PC still freezes. I took a screen shot last night while I was installing software and browsing at the same time. It actually froze for 5 minutes - just sits there, no activity. Software install at about 10%, and browser not responding. Then it just starts up again like nothing happened.
I am going to to another installation, but this time upgrade to Windows 8. Since that should use newer driver, etc. I am going to see if the same pattern appears during installation.
colonelpurple
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January 7th, 2013 10:00
do you mean a windows install ?
Its highly unlikely that this is anything to do with drivers
if your system is under warranty have it repaired
I used to spend hours diagnosing intermittent faults with software, but if the fault is intermittent, and during OS loadings, its 99% hardware
hutcha4113
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January 7th, 2013 12:00
Ya...changed my mind as I thought about it today. Already started a Windows 7 image
. I usually know by the 2 or 3rd driver install if the PC is acting up. Will see how the chipset drivers works.
If they do not, will wipe/start again, this time with the Intel ones.
Then will probably give Alienware support a call.
Tesla1856
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January 7th, 2013 12:00
That's not exactly what I was suggesting, but its your call.
Tesla1856
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January 7th, 2013 15:00
With a clean install of Win-7 on an Intel RAID ...
If you can't even get Windows installed, I would try Intel-RST F6-Floppy drivers (from USB drive) during the phase where you select partition. I think it's the "Load Driver" button under Advanced. That's just to get Windows installed. Pretty much acts like a chipset and HDD controller driver.
This is because the Windows DVD is older than the motherboard by a couple of years... it doesn't have chipset drivers for newer boards like yours.
Once you get Windows up and running, install Intel chipset drivers. Shouldn't have to install Intel-RST, but you might if it's a real RAID setup.
Good luck with your parts swapping.
hutcha4113
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January 7th, 2013 15:00
So I have been trying to image it a couple of times today. Tried different drivers, etc. including the SATA driver that came on the Resource CD. Still happens. Then decided to try Windows 8 - just for kicks. The WIndows 8 default install saw both HD's (as separate) - also did not see them as 3GB. Then I loaded the sata driver - saw the drive in RAID 0 - tried to install - and it froze.
Wondering - what driver should I be loading when doing the OS install? Neither OS sees the drive natively.
At any rate -> Dell is sending a new MB and RAM, along with a technician. Will see what happens.
hutcha4113
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January 14th, 2013 10:00
Part swap down. Motherboard and RAM were replaced. PC has been imaged - it still seemed to freeze from time to time (during driver load) but nothing like before. Boot up seems ok. Performance seems ok.
Software installations after the image were much better - so I am thinking the issue has been resolved. Will know in a couple of weeks anyway, as that is when problems began to appear.
On another note - anyone know why the alieware light stays on, after the PC shut downs - getting that randomly.
Tesla1856
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January 14th, 2013 19:00
Semi-Official Dell response.
http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/kcs/document?c=us&cs=19&docid=541817&doclang=en&l=en&s=dhs&dgc=SM&cid=249387&lid=4371289
Problem has been reported before. One thread of many...
http://en.community.dell.com/owners-club/alienware/f/3746/p/19473644/20245293.aspx#20245293
Tesla1856
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January 14th, 2013 19:00