XPS 8940, crashing issues since December

Only says hardware errors for most part from reliab monitor, but not sure as I said I could just be missing something when reinstalling the drivers  thats making it hiccup and it's weird it would be doing it this infrequent though if it was damaged or I didn't nest it correctly since I can play games for multiple hours across days and no issues then middle of idle temps (such as just watching youtube) it would lockup

Sorry, but I was unaware the problem was with watching YouTube? This is new info I think.

Using Chrome? Use a different browser, Chrome can lockup with YouTube.

The "Only says hardware errors for most part from reliab monitor" are what you need to investigate.

Now I get some too INSTALLING the Nvidia Drivers occasionally.  It is Live Kernel Event error 193 and is an annoying error code that indicates your computer stopped working unexpectedly.  Of course I knew that as I had to reboot the PC.

If you have others, they could be the root cause of your problems if you are not using Chrome.

Here are some Chrome links to look at:

https://www.easypcmod.com/how-to-fix-youtube-freezes-on-chrome-issue-quick-and-easy-way-11340 

https://recoverit.wondershare.com/video-repair/fix-youtube-freezing-video-issues.html 

https://www.alphr.com/chrome-keeps-freezing-youtube/ 

Damage might only show up when you exercise the damaged part, like upper RAM on the card, or need more power to do something? Maybe only at a specific resolution or frame rate? Could be overheating even.

If you run Nvidia's GeForce Experience you can 'watch' the state of the card, temps, power, frame rate, etc. Might give you a clue as well.

You can rule out the card by using only the Intel HD750 probably. Remove the card and see if the PC fails the same way. If it doesn't, then the card and/or drivers are suspect. Leaving the card in and not connecting the monitor to it may not work and you'd still fail possibly. Reliable testing is with the card out of the PC.

No it isn't only watching youtube just usually happens when im only watching youtube, and it isn't heat related as I can play games making it sit at 50-70 C for hours and no issues and I don't use chrome. also it's Problem Event Name: LiveKernelEvent
Code: 141
it's kind of a waiting game as the problem only happens every few days/week so still waiting to see if it crashes again with this change

Have you Googled that error?

It indicates a h/w error, either RAM or GPU related.

I'll assume you do not have an K or KF version CPU that can be overclocked. Overclocking can cause the same error.

Check some links that you Google, like this one, https://appuals.com/livekernelevent-error/ 

These all would indicate either a true H/W problem in the card or RAM, or a s/w driver issue. I'd rule the driver out as you've used DDU and a few drivers.

I don't think from what you've posted this is a BIOS issue.

What did you have in the PC before? Just the HD750 being used? How long after installing the card did the problem start?

I don't completely have that info but I don't think the HD750 likes my 1920 resolution monitor, I recall it kept crashing trying to launch World of Warcraft or even just general things, then it resolved when I put my old gpu in, then it might've crashed once a month or every other month but could of been due to me poorly updating the drivers or something.

Looking at my event viewer I don't think I had any issues for the first month after putting my gpu in maybe updating a driver which caused a crash 9/7/2021 then next issue 10/19/2021 so I think its definitely a driver related and just something hiccuping maybe i'm doing something wrong when reinstalling the drivers, as currently computer has been on 16 hours today so we'll see if anything triggers with this older driver

I have XPS8940 equipped with GEForce 1660S -- have experienced random freezing since PC was brand new. I have tried all the recommended fixes -- re-installed Windows, updated/down-revved BIOS, new drivers, changed power options, etc, etc -- with no joy. Finally Dell sent a tech to replace the video card -- no change in behavior. Dell seems to be out of answers, but they refuse to give me a refund for the PC or the video card, and seem happy to just keep suggesting various "fixes" that don't help.  Pretty frustrated, I have to say, and I wish I had never bought a Dell PC (certainly would not buy again). Also, I found if one posts anything critical of Dell on this forum, you are likely to be banned from posting, so we'll see if they let this one go.

When you "updated/down-revved BIOS", did you use V2.3.0 or something higher.

If you did use V2.3.0, did you DISABLE CAPSULE UPDATE? If you DID not, Windows Update would put back the latest BIOS, V2.7.0 on you.

Check your BIOS version using System Info, it will show you what you have and the Motherboard model as well.

@nefertiti 

Yes, I experienced that too. As I recall, and I am using HDMI cable to connect to the monitor, I didn't need to change to the back from the Nvidia card? It seems it picked up the HD750 output as I recall which surprised me.

It is NOT Windows causing it either. Users running Linux also had it happen. Ii seems to be specific for BIOS versions, V2.4.0 and up. V2.4.0 was the worst in terms of frequency of the lock-up, and each release after it locked up less frequently.

So have reported though going back to BIOS V2.4.0 does NOT solve the problem. I know users of Chrome are having or did have lock-up problems though.

Good point, I did not disable CAPSULE UPDATE. I am currently on v2.6, but I can try revert to v2.3 again, and disable CU in the UEFI BIOS. I read this post on that -- sounds like maybe it can still install updates regardless?  MB = 0K3CM7 vA00

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@nefertiti wrote:

I read this post on that -- sounds like maybe it can still install updates regardless?

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I am in that subject and one that did get a BIOS installed with it on. However, something was changed after that. Don't know 'who' made the change, but V2.7.0 will not be installed, but listed under Optional:

Yes, I am already on V2.7.0 as well, but there is it seems a numbering difference, extra '0'. People have reported in threads Windows Update installing files (and BIOS) they already had installed.

Check the OPTIONAL UPDATES, you might have V2.7.0 waiting for your there.

Yes, V2.6.0 will fail, maybe every day or two. V2.7.0 it is longer between fails.

I'm, staying on V2.7.0 for now, 4 or 5 days between lock-ups.

Dell 'thinks' it could be the Motherboard, I'm on the old 427JK. They want to replace it with the K3CM7 and have sent 3 motherboards to me, one the old original that was DEAD ON ARRIVAL, then 2 of what I have. Now they finally are sending the K3CM7. Two others with the K3CM7 have said they still had problems though... but they want me to try it as V2.3.0 works fine. We'll see I guess?

Random occurrences without a known way to recreate them are tough to fix. However, they are trying, each BIOS release works better...

Well, since last update Dell has replaced my motherboard (with another 427JK) -- this is in addition to the previous video card replacement). Following that the PC soon crashed reporting a video error (my wife was using it at the time, didn't get the error details). Since then I have updated to BIOS v2.8.0 -- PC hasn't locked up yet, but reading the release notes of v2.8.0 I don't think it will resolve the problem either. I also talked to NVIDIA -- they were helpful, but they seem to expect Dell to resolve the problem, and that's going nowhere so far.

Greetings!

This is Abhijit, one of the Supervisors at Dell Social Media Support.
I've reviewed your journey with us, and I apologize for the inconvenience you’ve experienced.

We are keen on having the issue addressed. Don’t worry, I’ll be making sure there are no unnecessary delays in resolving this issue. I request you to allow me 24 to 48 hours time. Meanwhile, I will be constantly monitoring the case.

Take Care & Stay Safe.
Abhijit 

I've been told the 427JK and K3CM7 is IDENTICAL in function and operation...

I've had 3 Freezes with the V2.8.0 so far. Better than the others before it but not fixed... and I doubt will EVER put that info in the FIX list for the BIOS...

It isn't an Nvidia Problem, and Dell owns it. If it were an Nvidia problem, then going back to BIOS V2.3.0 would not fix it I'd think?

I have no idea IF Dell Level 3 has been able to recreate the problem or not? Harder to fix if it can't be recreated. I 'feel' they are making BIOS code changes based on what they think might be the cause... maybe they will figure it out soon as each release seems to work for longer before freezing.