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1 Rookie
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12 Posts
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3832
October 8th, 2021 21:00
m15 R4, crashing repeatedly, might be due to Windows?
Hi.
I have a new m15 R4 that I got about 10 weeks ago.
I've had to reset the laptop/reinstall windows 3 times now because of crashing and I think it might be happening when Windows is trying to update. But not sure. And each time I have to reset it takes a long time because I can't always get into the laptop on the first instance and have to mess around trying to get back in.
I thought it might be a driver prob but I haven't really installed any new drivers other than the latest NVIDIA for the 3080 and whatever drivers Support Assist install. But the last time a driver was installed was the last time I reset 3 weeks ago and it still crashed again today.
I thought maybe it could be an external monitor prob but I'm using a Dell external monitor (although it's a year or two old) - it's plugged into the HDMI port. Wasn't sure if it's better off being plugged into the mini display port.
But yeah, this is a bit annoying and seems to be happening on the weekends when I want to use my laptop most and have some time.
Dell have been good in responding to my queries online and have been getting back to me pretty quick when I have a problem. Although, I usually end up working things out myself.
But I was just wondering at what point does this become a problem where I can ask that my laptop can be looked at? To reset my laptop every 3-4 weeks is a bit annoying, especially if it continues happening.
Thanks.
AWX17
2 Intern
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154 Posts
1
October 17th, 2021 14:00
Well, you wouldn't be the first person to have issues when updating to the latest NVidia drivers.
jmgold
1 Rookie
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12 Posts
1
October 28th, 2021 21:00
Update in case anyone runs into same issues....Dell sent out a tech who switched out the SSD but laptop still crashed and Windows wouldn't install. Waiting for next step.
A51-06
7 Practitioner
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3.1K Posts
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13.7K Points
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October 29th, 2021 05:00
Can you tell me more about the issue? What did you do before this issue happened?
I can recommend you install using another computer the media installation tool so you can format a USB stick with windows 10 installation. That should be able to make you install windows 10, Unless there is a hardware issue like RAM or something like that.
jmgold
1 Rookie
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12 Posts
1
November 5th, 2021 23:00
Hi. I have posted a few times re my new R4 alienware from start of August '21 that kept crashing and hasn't worked for a few weeks now. Replacing the ssd drive didn't fix the problem (a technician was sent out) and it will be at least another three weeks before additional parts can be sourced. By the time December comes around when hopefully it gets fixed it will be over two months since it was usable. I was just wondering if there are other posts re: issues like this and what people did? I appreciate hardware and new items breakdown and ordering parts can take time - but with the aid of hindsight it is now quite frustrating that a technician wasn't sent out earlier. And moving forward I wouldn't mind knowing what my rights are. What if the technician can't fix it or it breaks down again - or it needs to be sent back to Dell - and it gets into January/February and I have only used my device for a total of 8 or so weeks out of 5-6 months. While Dell do respond quickly via email - for this particular issue, not being able to speak to someone, walk into a store, etc. isn't ideal. And is there a limit to how much time Dell can leave me without a device while trying to fix the laptop? While hopefully this doesn't happen, what happens if it does get into the new year Jan/Feb/March and I haven't been able to use my > 4000 dollar device for 4-5 months? While this is hopefully unlikely, it's not like I have been given an outline from Dell re: what the steps would be if the device can't be fixed. Thx
A51-06
7 Practitioner
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3.1K Posts
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13.7K Points
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November 9th, 2021 19:00
Hey so before the technician came over, did you run the ePSA Self Test by restarting the laptop and pressing f12 to load it up?
It can help run stress and stability tests on the laptop to let you know if any issues occur while testing, weather it be a RAM issue or a Failure to write to sector block issue.
cchez
1 Message
0
February 14th, 2022 23:00
I have exactly the same issue.. Looks like it always crash under Windows from a cold start. Looks like ubuntu runs fine for me. I run all possible tests and there is no error reported. But if I don't use laptop for say two days, start from cold it will go to Blue screen shortly after started.
crimsom
9 Technologist
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6.1K Posts
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February 15th, 2022 00:00
Hi @jmgold there is no report of any POST diagnostic warnings. Dell's F12 Diagnostic does not appear to have been run? ePSA Pre Boot System Assessment Dell Overview (Official Dell Tech Support) - YouTube
Looking through the posts it seems that the onboard windows's Reliability Monitor has not been run? How to use Windows Reliability Monitor to identify software issues | Dell US Please run Reliability Monitor and wait for event timeline to load. Look at red critical events to see root cause of crashing problem.
Please share results of these tests. Thanks.