XPS Desktops

[kalarous]

So here's a fun one. I too (as many on this forum have), have been having random system freezing issues with my Dell XPS 8940 with Nvidia RTX 3060 Ti video card. After a lengthy phone call with Dell support, the support engineer in their infinite wisdom has decided that the system doesn't have a hardware problem and if I'd like any further help resolving this situation, I can fork out another $100 for "software" support. System is less than 1 year old and still under warranty. I spent close to $2500 for what was supposed to be Dells "top of the line" Desktop. So, I'm left with 2 choices - either live with a problematic dell desktop or shell out another $100 for their software support and HOPE that their software support personal can help me fix this issue. Needless to say, I will be seriously considering whether or not to purchase ANYTHING else from Dell, ever.

[ispalten]

Steve,

I had NO problem when I switched to the HD750 HDMI port to drive my monitor and DISABLED the Nvidia in Device Manager. That is all I had to do. So it isn't the presence of the card in the PCIe bus, but the actual use of the card I feel.

I assume you didn't remove the Nvidia drivers either? I did not when I disabled the card.

Still, if 'we' think it is the card, then why no every card? Why not on the 8930 and 8950's? Why does it work fine on some 8940's?

There has to be some combination of 'things' that make it happen I'd say?

[XPSUser07]

Dell are you watching these threads? 

User discovered workaround is to  downgrade to BIOS 2.3.  With BIOS version 2.3 the XPS 8940 never freezes but is missing the Intel CVE fixes in versions 2.4 and later.

Your customers have isolated the issue as being introduced in BIOS ver 2.4.  Dell please interact with your XPS 8940 customers.  You'll find dozens of threads exactly like this one.

[kalarous]

Hey Irv,

Agreed - 0 issues freezing since I cut over to using the integrated DP & HDMI ports.  Sure would be nice to have a couple of usable DP ports though...  Like I thought I was getting by adding the expensive RTX3060ti to my new system.    Anyway, BIOS back to 2.3 is no bueno for me, so for the time being I am relying on integrated GPU and have a lovely $500 paperweight sitting in the corner...  

Steve

[ispalten]

Steve,

I don't KNOW what has happened on my XPS... Since my last lock-up on 8/15, I have HAD none!

I'm on BIOS V2.9.0, and on 8/12 I DID lock up on it? After the 8/15 lock-up,something HAD to have changed?

I use Revo Uninstaller to see what was installed:

Now some of those I did the install, like the Nvidia driver (it shows in File Manager as 9/1, not 8/31??). and many are background installs by Windows Update or applications.

Anyway, I've gone back and forth with many BIOS versions, and some would not allow the included Intel Management Engine to install. I can't even go back to BIOS V2.3.0 now and not freeze, possibly due to a mismatch of the BIOS to the Intel Management Engine.

I'm starting to wonder if the EEPROM in which the BIOS is install I recall, could be part of the problem? Might be a battery too not powering it well? I do sort of doubt that as I've had the Motherbaord replaced and if that were the case, it would probably not occur in a replacement?

Anyway, at THIS time, I am quite stable on V2.9.0. Might want to give it a try.

I did MAKE on change though in terms of H/W. When the 'common wisdom' was it was possible that Single Rank RAM was the problem based mostly on a user here who had 2 basically identical XPS bought at the same time replaced the RAM in one and put that into the other. 2x8GB Single Rank DIMM's so it had 32GB''s and bought new DUAL RANK RAM for his XPS. The Single Rank RAM XPS locks up.

So, I looked and I had the single 16GB Single Rank DIMM in my XPS. Wanted to go to 32GB's anyway, so bought 2x16GB DUAL RANK DIMM's. Installed them, and was on V2.8.0 at the time. Lock-up in a few days. Went back to V2.3.0 and also locked up. Back to V2.8.0, and then almost immediately to V2.9.0,, and had 2 lock-ups under it. Like I said above, NONE since 8/15??? Can NOT explain it?

I did check Windows Update too, only had 2 updates since 8/15, could have been one of them even? No Drivers, and Other was Window Defender files?

Very odd to say the least?

[rdell19]

Still no issues? I am at 2.3 perfectly fine and scared about updating. Thanks

[ispalten]

For what it is worth, when I went back to V2.3.0 the Intel Management Engine DID NOT install... I've posted pictures about that and the different Engine versions on other threads.

That created a mismatch between the BIOS and the Engine. An Engine in the BIOS versions I was failing with. So guess what happened to me eventually on V2.3.0, I locked up a few times... and went back to the latest.

After 2 failures within days on it and it being stable for over 30 days,  got 2 fails in 2 days. Now again, still on V2.9.0 for 5 days with no fails.

This is SO random, and there is know known way to tell when it will fail as anytime it does lock up is something you've done many many times there is no warning it will happen.

Hope it works for you but you are missing a LOT of CVE's and possibly other fixes by not being on the latest release.

[rdell19]

Thanks for the update! Please let me know if you run into a lock ups.

[Rich_G]

If it makes you feel any better. I have the same issue. The system locks up solid & the only resolution is to hold the power button in until it hard powers off. I am confident that this is a hardware problem but I know Dell will deny that.

Good luck getting ANY support from Dell even if you pay for their premium next day support. 

After 25 years of buying only Dell products I will never buy another Dell. They are now the worst.

[nrgflows]

TL;DR: Reinstalling windows with a clean install and a full wipe of the HD seems to have fixed my issue.  I've been up for 12 days successfully running a continuous video stress test on 5 monitors.

Details:

I followed this thread and figured it was hopeless... BIOS, driver reinstalls, hardware test... all were hopeless.

As confirmed in this article, when I ran this PC with only 1 or 2 monitors, I had no freezes.. but when I drive all 5 of my monitors, it always froze up within a day or two.  Also consistent with this article, my other same-model PC from a year ago running half the ram and an older graphics card never has had a single issue running the same multi-monitor setup.

As a last resort, expecting to ship this PC to dell and seek a refund/replacement.. I did a complete wipe of windows from this dell-support provided link below and I installed nothing else.  My computer has been up for 12 days, under a constant stress test of running videos that tax the Intel UHD and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 above 50% continuously with usage of 5 monitors (one 4k, four 1k monitors).  This test would always freeze my PC within 1-2 days.

I'm going to keep running the test and eventually reinstall my apps and see if I'm really out of the woods... but I wanted to share some hope with the community as I am sure many of us are still pulling our hair out on this issue.

For me the problem started after upgrading to windows 11, and I had numerous other issues coincide such as the printer queue not opening from windows and calc, notepad and other basic windows apps needing to be repaired from the settings/apps interface.  Maybe the upgrade to win 11 just didn't work right and the clean install is what was needed?

I'll share an update if I have the issue come back after reinstalling all of my applications... or to share it's fully resolved if that's the case.

https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-in/000192698/reset-or-reinstall-windows-11-on-your-dell-comput...

[ispalten]

Since you didn't read all this, or even other ones about freezes and/or lock ups, and this was your first post here, I'll assume; you posted here as you appear to have a similar problem. That is you have an Nvidia Card, and 8940, and a BIOS versions past 2.3.0.

If you are on BIOS V2.10.0, one can run a fairly long time without a lock up. Weeks, and some have months before it happens again.

As for what you did, many of us did the same, but it is not a cure.

Hope it does work for you though.

As for finding out what the cause is, no one has found the cause. That is NO dialog box pop-up error, Event View enter other than the improper shutdown via the power button (error 41), no log file, dump, or trap info either.

Would be interesting if you had a few months with no problem though and what BIOS version you have?

.