BSOD, browser crashing, high cpu usage

Question

I have a Latitude D630 with the nVidia chip, 2.4GHz, 3GB RAM. The laptop is experiencing three primary issues: browser crashing: both Opera and Firefox crash regularly (about every other day, doesn't matter how many tabs are open) BSOD: happens about once a week (STOP code varies ~ most often 0x0A, also 7F, 7B) high CPU usage: after about an hour or two of usage, the cpu load shoots up to 80-100% total. The system of course becomes sluggish and unresponsive. If I go into and come out of hibernate, the cpu drops to normal (10% load) for another hour or two when it shoots up again. Going into hibernate is often difficult ~ it will sometimes take 10+ attempts of selecting hibernate before the system will respond. It will then take 3-5 minutes for the system to complete hibernation. I typically look online for solutions to computer issues and usually find something to help. For this issue, I can't find anything. Thus my first posting in a tech forum! Everything seems to point toward a system board issue. I in fact bought a new system board and a Dell technician replaced it today, but the unit didn't turn on. He declared the new system board was faulty, put the old motherboard back in, packed up his things and left. (I bought the system board separately, so the technician could not acquire another one to check.) Following are screen shots of the CPU usage. Note the high CPU issue is NOT caused by procexp.exe (Process Explorer), so there's no need to suggest that it be terminated. If I do terminate it, the problem remains. The graph shows the CPU usage as it's climbing to 100%; the section at the end is after coming out of hibernation.   Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Is this related to the nVidia chip issue? (I'm not experiencing the typical reported issues.) Comments on the new motherboard being faulty are also welcome (I'm not entirely convinced the board is bad.)

DELL-Deb B · Answer

Hi,  Welcome to Dell community forums.  I am very sorry to hear about various problems with your computer, I would suggest you to first run the Hardware Diagnostics. Run the Hardware Diagnostics Test (PSA)-- Restart your computer and hit F12 on the Dell Logo Screen a couple of times.-- It Boots to the One Time Boot Menu.-- Select the Option Diagnostics and hit Enter.-- Check for the error. If you get any error reply me back to this post. If u don’t get any error code then proceed to Next Step.   After this update the BIOS of your computer.-- Go to http://dell.to/uIo3ef-- Put in your Service Tag and choose the Operating System.-- Select the Bios and download the latest Version of Bios-- Flash the Bios and check. Remove the battery and charger/ac adapter/power cord from your Dell notebook, press and hold the power button for 20 seconds to discharge any residual current inside the laptop. This clears your RAM and is like hardware reset. Boot in 'safe mode'. As it starts up press F8, the computer asks you if you'd like to start in safe mode. Highlight 'safe mode' and press enter. See if your Dell notebook works normal. *NOTE: make sure to connect your system to ac adaptor while upgrading BIOS and make sure not to turn off the system while upgrading BIOS.  For further assistance please reply Thanks & RegardsDell_Debbie_B Dell Social Media Responderhttp://www.facebook.com/Dellhttp://twitter.com/#%21/dellhttp://www.youtube.com/user/dellvlog?blend=1&amp;ob=4

mailman7 · Answer

Thank you for your reply, Debbie. I ran the Hardware Diagnostics Test (PSA). It took about 8-9 hours to run (not sure if that's typical), but no errors were found. The BIOS was already the latest version (A18).

I did the "hardware reset" through the power button, and then booted into safe mode. The machine was sluggish from the start. Below is CPU usage (table and graph) during a typical point in safe mode.

One further problem I've been recently experiencing has been the immediate shutdown of the machine. On several occasions now, the laptop will simply stop ~ no graceful shutdown at all. I've wondered if this has to do with overheating, as the laptop will typically run very hot. Here is a snapshot of readings from Speedfan after running the diagnostic.

I've done antivirus scans as well as checks for trojans, malware and rootkits, and nothing has been detected.

Any further assistance would be appreciated!

DELL-Deb B · Answer

HI,

Well this could be the issue with the motherboard or heatsink fan assembly .

If you system is under warranty , I can help you better if you can provide me some details like Service Tag (7 digit alphanumeric code ending with number 1) which you would find at the bottom of the laptop, your Contact Number, Best Time to Reach and Alternate Phone Number. Kindly let me know the above details through private messaging.

Thanks & Regards

Dell_Debbie_B

Dell Social Media Responder

http://www.facebook.com/Dell

http://twitter.com/#%21/dell

http://www.youtube.com/user/dellvlog?blend=1&ob=4

Locked Topics – Laptops General

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