Unsolved
This post is more than 5 years old
6 Posts
0
19273
relatively new L501X constantly crashing
Before I go through the trouble with Support, I wondered if maybe anyone had any insight into my issue. I have a L501X laptop, purchased in January of this year. I treat it well, never opened it except to temporarily pull out RAM one time (and RAM seems to be showing fine and properly re-installed, etc). I even keep it elevated so it stays cool.
But for some reason, these past two months, I've had Windows 7 completely crash on me 3 times! Most recently today.
The first time, it was a constant BSOD, couldn't even get to the log-on screen. Could never figure out what caused it, searched Google for days before I finally decided to re-install. What was strange about that time was that even the Recovery Disk wouldn't work properly (would take a ridiculously long time to start up, couldn't detect my Windows installation at all, any scans would take hours and turn up nothing, and would only occasionally be able to get as far as the re-installation screen. got lucky that I was able to do it, I guess). But everything was fine once I re-installed.
Second time, was no less strange. I'm surfing the internet, and suddenly it slows down to a crawl. Even opening a new tab takes forever. Then I closed the browser (Google Chrome) and it wouldn't open back up. I couldn't open any programs without waiting ages. Shutting down took about 5min's when it normally takes a few seconds. I was able to boot back into W7 a few more times just to experience the same thing, everything's super slow, nothing really ever opens up. Eventually, it wouldn't get past the log-in screen. I'd type in my password and it would just sit there with that blue circle, until the screen goes black and the circle turns into an arrow. But nothing else would happen no matter how long I waited. Safe Mode with NETWORKING would have the same prob, but regular Safe Mode would boot fine. I troubleshooted with disabling drivers and doing a clean boot and all that and nothing seemed to be the cause of the problem (the Network Card was my prime suspect). This time I had an image backup, but lo and behold, the Recovery Disk (though it was working well this time) could not read the hard drive it was on. It couldn't even detect the hard drive was plugged in (and I had it in the USB 2.0 port). I just re-installed and then did the image restore (which was useless, just restored some files I didn't miss but I still had to spend a couple hours updating Windows and reinstalling software, ugh).
This third time was almost exactly as the 2nd time. It happened within 2wks of the last time, and that's got me a bit worried. This time I made my image back-up with Clonezilla, instead, and it's just absolutely perfect so far.
So, now I'm worried and considering calling Dell Support. But this is not exactly a problem I can or even want to duplicate just to have a tech troubleshoot it. I just wondered if anyone has any insight into why this is happening?
I'll admit, I've installed 2 other OS's on it. After the 2nd time, I let Windows run as the primary OS, active partition and MBR, just to rule out that's the problem. Since it crashed again anyway, I don't think it can be. Besides, it was running great as a triple-boot for 8 months. All the drivers are from Dell's website, unless Windows Update installed some itself. I have an anti-virus subscription running (Webroot), and the first two times it crashed I used the Linux partition to scan the Windows partition for viruses with a few programs, including Malwarebytes, and it found nothing except internet cookies.
Again, I would really appreciate if anyone can give me some insight into this. I know it's a long read, but I'm wondering if this is a common problem others are having, or if you can identify something I've done wrong. Thanks, a lot for reading this long post!
MicroTest
934 Posts
0
December 4th, 2011 07:00
It sounds like your internal hard drive is failing - Use Dell Diagnostics to either carry out an extensive system test or choose "custom test" and just check the drive.
As you formatted and repartitioned your hard drive you will have to boot from Dell's "Driver and Utility disc" (it is also possible to download the software)
DarkEyez
6 Posts
0
December 4th, 2011 08:00
thanks, MicroTest. I'll give that a shot and let you know if it finds anything. btw, I edited the original post, it was Safe Mode with Networking (not Commant Prompt) that wasn't working. That's what made me think it was the Network Card. but hard drive failure sounds like it might be the issue. sucks if it is though cuz it's so new.
PudgyOne
9 Legend
9 Legend
•
30.3K Posts
0
December 4th, 2011 10:00
DarkEyez,
In addition to what MicroTest stated, the fulldignostice may provide some information. How to Run the Dell™ Diagnostics Utility
What wireless adapter do you have installed?
Did you make the Windows 7 - IMPORTANT Windows 7 Backup Disks to create
I am currently using a Dell XPS L501x and mine hasn't crashed.
Rick
wanaylain
2 Posts
0
January 12th, 2012 14:00
I bought mine in January 2011 and upgraded the OS. The unit started crashing weeks after I got it until the crash happened almost everyday. At that point, Dell sent me a new hard drive with the OS partition in it. I installed the new hard drive and upgraded the OS again. A few weeks after, the BSOD crash came again. But this time, it was not that frequent that I just ignored it. The unit will crash on me maybe once a month, but so far, everything else is working. Dell support is telling me that it might be a driver issue, but whatever it is, I think there is an issue somewhere. The problem is random and hard to replicate, so tech support can't do much. The laptop is the 4th new Dell I purchased and so far has been the most troublesome.
I suspect that the crash is caused by overheating, as the crash happens mostly when I am at my sofa with the unit is on my lap or on the sofa. Note that I have the extended battery, so using the unit on a table allows the bottom to have some air space - but that's just my opinion though. The laptop crashed once or twice on the new hard drive on a table during boot-up - so it might be the wireless card too.
I don't think the issue is malware or something like that.
I bought my laptop with upgraded hardware so I was a bit disappointed that I had to spend so much time with support when I finally decided to splurge on a more expensive rig. :emotion-6:
PudgyOne
9 Legend
9 Legend
•
30.3K Posts
0
January 12th, 2012 17:00
wanaylain,
Try running the Finding System Information Tool and post it back here. I had issues with the 6200 adapter that was causing spikes but figured out how to correct this.
Rick
wanaylain
2 Posts
0
January 12th, 2012 18:00
Thank you for your assistance. At this point, I do not want to waste any more time in this issue. I just plan to restore Windows if it gets corrupted from all the BSOD. I guess nothing is perfect - hopefully my next Dell will be a better unit.
PudgyOne
9 Legend
9 Legend
•
30.3K Posts
0
March 12th, 2012 15:00
Hadrien,
Yes, you can find it at...
C:\
Open it, then copy and patse the information back here. PLEASE REMOVE YOUR PRODUCT ID.
Rick
Fantasio
8 Posts
0
March 12th, 2012 15:00
Hello Rick,
DarkEyez' and Wanaylain's problem description pretty much match what I have been experiencing ever since I purchased my laptop. Rather frequent crashes yet hard to replicate. I had my system create a systeminfo.txt report. Would you mind checking it out for me?
Kind regards,
Hadrien
Fantasio
8 Posts
0
March 12th, 2012 18:00
Total physical memory: 3,828 Mb
Available physical memory: 1,749 Mb
Virtual Memory: Maximum size: 7,655 Mb
Virtual Memory: available: 5,254 Mb
Virtual Memory: in use: 2,401 Mb
Fantasio
8 Posts
0
March 12th, 2012 18:00
Thank you, Rick. That is very kind of you. :emotion-1:
My system being in French, I translated the report into English.
Name of the operating system: Microsoft Windows 7 Full Edition
Operating system version: 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1 version 7601
Operating system publisher: Microsoft Corporation
Operating system configuration: Workstation
OS version type: Multiprocessor Free
Registered organisation: Microsoft
Initial setup date: 18/01/2011, 19:10:58
System start-up time: 12/03/2012, 21:18:55
System manufacturer: Dell Inc.
System model: XPS L501X
System type: x64-based PC
Processor(s): 1 installed processor(s).
[01]: Intel64 Family 6 Model 37 Stepping 5 Genuine Intel ~2667 MHz
BIOS version: Dell Inc. A07, 29/03/2011
Windows directory: C:\Windows
system directory: C:\Windows\system32
Boot peripheral: \Device\HarddiskVolume2
System regional option: fr;French (France)
Regional Input settings: fr;French (France)
Time zone: (UTC+01:00) Bruxelles, Copenhague, Madrid, Paris
Total physical memory: 3,828 Mb
Available physical memory: 1,749 Mb
Virtual Memory: Maximum size: 7,655 Mo
Virtual Memory: available: 5,254 Mo
Virtual Memory: in use: 2,401 Mo
Page file location: C:\pagefile.sys
Domain: WORKGROUP
Update(s): 97 installed updates
[01]: KB982861
[02]: KB982861
[03]: 982861
[04]: KB971033
[05]: KB2305420
[06]: KB2393802
[07]: KB2425227
[08]: KB2446710
[09]: KB2475792
[10]: KB2476490
[11]: KB2478662
[12]: KB2479628
[13]: KB2479943
[14]: KB2484033
[15]: KB2485376
[16]: KB2487426
[17]: KB2488113
[18]: KB2491683
[19]: KB2492386
[20]: KB2503658
[21]: KB2503665
[22]: KB2505438
[23]: KB2506014
[24]: KB2506212
[25]: KB2506223
[26]: KB2506928
[27]: KB2507618
[28]: KB2507938
[29]: KB2508272
[30]: KB2508429
[31]: KB2509553
[32]: KB2511250
[33]: KB2511455
[34]: KB2515325
[35]: KB2518869
[36]: KB2522422
[37]: KB2524375
[38]: KB2525694
[39]: KB2529073
[40]: KB2530548
[41]: KB2532531
[42]: KB2533552
[43]: KB2533623
[44]: KB2534366
[45]: KB2536275
[46]: KB2536276
[47]: KB2539635
[48]: KB2541014
[49]: KB2544893
[50]: KB2545698
[51]: KB2547666
[52]: KB2552343
[53]: KB2555917
[54]: KB2556532
[55]: KB2559049
[56]: KB2560656
[57]: KB2562937
[58]: KB2563227
[59]: KB2563894
[60]: KB2564958
[61]: KB2567053
[62]: KB2567680
[63]: KB2570791
[64]: KB2570947
[65]: KB2572077
[66]: KB2579686
[67]: KB2584146
[68]: KB2585542
[69]: KB2586448
[70]: KB2588516
[71]: KB2603229
[72]: KB2607712
[73]: KB2616676
[74]: KB2617657
[75]: KB2618444
[76]: KB2618451
[77]: KB2619339
[78]: KB2620704
[79]: KB2620712
[80]: KB2631813
[81]: KB2633873
[82]: KB2633952
[83]: KB2639417
[84]: KB2640148
[85]: KB2641690
[86]: KB2644615
[87]: KB2645640
[88]: KB2647516
[89]: KB2654428
[90]: KB2656356
[91]: KB2660075
[92]: KB2660465
[93]: KB958488
[94]: KB976002
[95]: KB976902
[96]: KB976932
[97]: KB982018
Network adapters: 6 installed network adapters.
[01]: Intel(R) WiFi Link 1000 BGN
Connection name: Wireless network connection
Active DHCP: Yes
DHCP serveur: 192.168.1.1
IP Adress(es)
[01]: 192.168.1.42
[02]: fe80::796a:f7b5:ce7:20cc
[02]: Bluetooth peripheral (personal network)
Connection name: Bluetooth network connexion
Status: Disconnected
[03]: Microsoft Virtual WiFi Miniport Adapter
Connection name: Wireless network connection 2
Status: Disconnected
[04]: Microsoft Virtual WiFi Miniport Adapter
Connection name: Wireless network connection 3
Status: Disconnected
[05]: TAP-Win32 Adapter V9
Connection name: Local network connection 2
Status: Disconnected
[06]: Realtek PCIe GBE Family Controller
Connection name: Local network connection
Status: Disconnected
PudgyOne
9 Legend
9 Legend
•
30.3K Posts
0
March 13th, 2012 05:00
Fantasio,
First, I own a Dell XPS L501x. I was getting processor spikes, causing my system to get very hot. I suspect your system is having the same issues and the heat is causing the crashes.
Download Core Temp and monitor the processor. The next time you see the processor spike, it usually remains high, try turning off your wireless adapter, press F2. Wait 60 seconds and see if the processor drops back to normal. Mine would return back to normal. Turn the adapter back on, press F2 and connect. If this is your problem, then download the drivers from HERE and save them to your desktop.
Start, control panel, device manager, network, right click on Intel(R) WiFi Link 1000 BGN, left click uninstall. It asks you if you want to remove and associated software with it. I clicked yes. When it was done, I restarted the computer.
Install the drivers you saved to your desktop. Yo should no longer see the processor spikes and since the system is not over-heating, the system should no longer crash.
Rick
Fantasio
8 Posts
0
March 13th, 2012 07:00
Rick,
One additional question, please: your link to Dell's driver download server points to a driver for a Centrino CPU. My system being based on an i5 Core, I assume I would have to find the right driver to do the trick. Am I correct?
Thank you, in advance.
H
Fantasio
8 Posts
0
March 13th, 2012 07:00
Dear Rick,
Thank you so much! :emotion-1:
Your diagnosis makes a lot of sense. I will check if the crashes that affect my system can be correlated with a heat issue and update the processor's drivers.
Will soon let you know whether this resolved my problem.
H
Fantasio
8 Posts
0
March 13th, 2012 09:00
I just realized that a Centrino chip can also be used on network adapters and that I probably misunderstood your instructions. Sorry! The last time I heard about Centrino chips was when they used to be laptop CPUs.
Fantasio
8 Posts
0
March 13th, 2012 10:00
Got it. Thank you again. We will see if it works.