- What upgrades have you installed (deviations from factory config).
- Running the latest BIOS?
- See any (red) critical errors in Reliability History?
- Are you running the original Dell Windows-10 software load (and all the Dell Apps and heavy driver-suites) or have you clean-installed plain Windows-10?
- Are you connected to a good UPS-Battery (like APC)?
- Also, posting an abbreviated system-config would not hurt.
- What upgrades have you installed (deviations from factory config).
Win 11. Issues were occurring prior to this. This is the only change other than various programs and applications.
- Running the latest BIOS?
Ver 1.1.10 2/7/22
- See any (red) critical errors in Reliability?
No
- Are you running the original Dell Windows-10 software load (and all the Dell Apps and heavy driver-suites) or have you clean-installed plain Windows-10?
I did a clean install of Win 11 which eliminated them. I searched to do a reinstall and attempted a number of times but have never been able to get it to install.
- Are you connected to a good UPS-Battery (like APC)?
No
- Also, posting an abbreviated system-config would not hurt.
Ran an Alienware update check - system is up to date.
Ran the online hardware check - Everything passed.
1. Are you connected to a good UPS-Battery (like APC)? No
2. I did a clean install of Win 11 which eliminated them. I searched to do a reinstall and attempted a number of times but have never been able to get it to install.
3. Ran an Alienware update check - system is up to date.
Ran the online hardware check - Everything passed.
1. You should get one. Otherwise, any time the AC-power glitches, the computer is going to crash or get damaged.
2. Good
3. But sounds like you re-installed all the stuff you were trying to get rid of ?
All you need from dell.com/support is a BIOS update (maybe once a year) and (maybe) Alienware Command Center update. Video driver you get from nvidia.com or amd.com . Everything else and Intel comes from Windows-Update.
Just skip all this other nonsense. Just run Windows. Windows also comes with free Windows Security and Anti-Virus.
I can understand your APC comment. I do use an inline surge protector that offers some protection. Have had this same configuration for a couple of decades without issue.
I always try to only install what I need and use to stay away from most of the system robbing garbage that is out there. I try to keep things as clean as simple as I can.
I will look into your link regarding the intermittent lag. My largest complaint right now are the random crashes. It occurred a few times before the Win 11 install and continues now. The first few times was when I was using Photoshop. Now though it does so randomly while gaming or using MS office applications as well. To date it hasn't happened while just net surfing or other similar things. Even more worrisome, for me, is that it has randomly crashed and rebooted (hard boot on it's own) as well as the hated crash to blue screen. The blue screen crash enters the system boot screen from which I just exit and it boots fine. As this has been occurring I have tried to pay closer attention to what is going on to look for anything that is common or seems to initiate it. So far nothing.
One thing I did not mention that is also significant, I think. While using Photoshop after a period of time the graphic screen may not completely refresh and I will get random overlap of portions of what I am working on. With that there are times when I move the cursor and again the graphic refresh is lagging leaving the movement trail because it is not refreshing. My first thought here was this may be due to the graphic card (a 3080) but I am not sure.
1. I can understand your APC comment. I do use an inline surge protector that offers some protection.
2. Have had this same configuration for a couple of decades without issue.
3. I always try to only install what I need and use to stay away from most of the system robbing garbage that is out there. I try to keep things as clean as simple as I can.
4. I will look into your link regarding the intermittent lag.
5. My largest complaint right now are the random crashes. It occurred a few times before the Win 11 install and continues now. The first few times was when I was using Photoshop. Now though it does so randomly while gaming or using MS office applications as well. To date it hasn't happened while just net surfing or other similar things. Even more worrisome, for me, is that it has randomly crashed and rebooted (hard boot on it's own) as well as the hated crash to blue screen. The blue screen crash enters the system boot screen from which I just exit and it boots fine. As this has been occurring I have tried to pay closer attention to what is going on to look for anything that is common or seems to initiate it. So far nothing.
6. One thing I did not mention that is also significant, I think. While using Photoshop after a period of time the graphic screen may not completely refresh and I will get random overlap of portions of what I am working on. With that there are times when I move the cursor and again the graphic refresh is lagging leaving the movement trail because it is not refreshing. My first thought here was this may be due to the graphic card (a 3080) but I am not sure.
7. It's all just very frustrating.
1. Surge suppressor does virtually nothing unless you actually get hit by lightning or heavy-surge. AVR stabilizes and conditions AC-power 24/7 . Computer will not run 100% properly without good-power.
2. Not sure how that is relevant. I thought you were having an issue now?
3. Dell Support Assist and the others are some of the worse offenders.
4. Not sure what you are talking about.
5. That is why I posted. You seem to think you are only running MS-office or PhotoShop, but you are actually running 100's of Services and Processes in the background.
6. Either as I stated above or sometimes Adobe programs have trouble using the dual video-cards in your system. Sometimes you have to "lock it into" using one or the other.
7. Just shut-it-down and take a break. Helps to think of it like a puzzle or challenge. If you don't want to do it, you can pay someone else to do it.
Ok, I haven't responded as I wanted to try and see if I could isolate the issue morre then I already have. Unfortunately I can't. I check the logs when the system reset and in the latest it only shows "misc" with not other clarifying information. I sent this to Dell Customer Service:
I even considered that the wireless logitech trackball I was using may be the issue as it always occurs as I use it to make a selection. I changed to another trackball and now to a wired mouse that I just purchased to see if it was associated with this. Again, nothing changed.
So again, to clarify:
- I have had the system infrequently lock up and reboot on it's own.
- More so this is where it occurs just about every time: I am using Excel, and Adobe PDF viewer and running Photoshop. At some point upon trying to interact with any of them the system will, without notice, lock up and initaite a hard boot to the bios settings. If I use these programs collectively anytime I will incur the same result.
This is beyond frustrating and I once again must note that this has only been an issue since my having purchased this system. Over the last few years I had "never" encountered this and I was running the same programs all the time.
I can appreciate as customer servcie that you may attempt to satisfy this byt trying to see if there is a solution. Unfortunately I have lost faith in this product and am now feeling stuck having spent over $3k for what I thought would be my last ever PC purchase being older and closer to my end of days.
How much RAM does this PC have? Typically recurring BSOD, are usually caused by memory issues if the PC crashes with different programs or different scenarios. A failing PSU can cause system crashes as was noticed previously.
I purchased an R10 and while it’s been decent, the PSU last a mere 8 months and it was plugged into an APC UPS. My suggestions are as follows:
1) What are the temps during operation?
2) Run memory tests
3) Self test the PSU with it powered down (black button on the back will turn green if it’s good)
So it's easy enough from this information to determine/consider that AWCC (Alienware Control Center) is an issue. From here the questions would be, Why?, can I delete and reinstall it? or ?
Taking your advice I ran bluescreenview and it listed:
4/1 ntoskrnl.exe "INTERNAL_POWER_ERROR"
3/26 watchdog.sys
These are the only 2 it shows while there were other instances listed in the event log.
I once again checked to ensure all the drivers are current and that there are no windows updates and all the feedback indicates everything is up to date.
Tesla1856
8 Wizard
•
17.1K Posts
0
March 27th, 2022 11:00
Lets start here:
- Does machine pass ePSA 100%.
- What upgrades have you installed (deviations from factory config).
- Running the latest BIOS?
- See any (red) critical errors in Reliability History?
- Are you running the original Dell Windows-10 software load (and all the Dell Apps and heavy driver-suites) or have you clean-installed plain Windows-10?
- Are you connected to a good UPS-Battery (like APC)?
- Also, posting an abbreviated system-config would not hurt.
nbryant
8 Posts
0
March 27th, 2022 15:00
Lets start here:
- Does machine pass ePSA 100%.
Yes
- What upgrades have you installed (deviations from factory config).
Win 11. Issues were occurring prior to this. This is the only change other than various programs and applications.
- Running the latest BIOS?
Ver 1.1.10 2/7/22
- See any (red) critical errors in Reliability?
No
- Are you running the original Dell Windows-10 software load (and all the Dell Apps and heavy driver-suites) or have you clean-installed plain Windows-10?
I did a clean install of Win 11 which eliminated them. I searched to do a reinstall and attempted a number of times but have never been able to get it to install.
- Are you connected to a good UPS-Battery (like APC)?
No
- Also, posting an abbreviated system-config would not hurt.
Ran an Alienware update check - system is up to date.
Ran the online hardware check - Everything passed.
I appreciate everyone's assistance with this.
Tesla1856
8 Wizard
•
17.1K Posts
0
March 27th, 2022 16:00
1. You should get one. Otherwise, any time the AC-power glitches, the computer is going to crash or get damaged.
2. Good
3. But sounds like you re-installed all the stuff you were trying to get rid of ?
https://www.dell.com/community/Alienware-Desktops/Alienware-Aurora-R11-random-stutter-and-freezing/m-p/8172822/highlight/true#M57605
All you need from dell.com/support is a BIOS update (maybe once a year) and (maybe) Alienware Command Center update. Video driver you get from nvidia.com or amd.com . Everything else and Intel comes from Windows-Update.
Just skip all this other nonsense. Just run Windows. Windows also comes with free Windows Security and Anti-Virus.
nbryant
8 Posts
0
March 28th, 2022 04:00
Appreciate the feedback.
I can understand your APC comment. I do use an inline surge protector that offers some protection. Have had this same configuration for a couple of decades without issue.
I always try to only install what I need and use to stay away from most of the system robbing garbage that is out there. I try to keep things as clean as simple as I can.
I will look into your link regarding the intermittent lag. My largest complaint right now are the random crashes. It occurred a few times before the Win 11 install and continues now. The first few times was when I was using Photoshop. Now though it does so randomly while gaming or using MS office applications as well. To date it hasn't happened while just net surfing or other similar things. Even more worrisome, for me, is that it has randomly crashed and rebooted (hard boot on it's own) as well as the hated crash to blue screen. The blue screen crash enters the system boot screen from which I just exit and it boots fine. As this has been occurring I have tried to pay closer attention to what is going on to look for anything that is common or seems to initiate it. So far nothing.
One thing I did not mention that is also significant, I think. While using Photoshop after a period of time the graphic screen may not completely refresh and I will get random overlap of portions of what I am working on. With that there are times when I move the cursor and again the graphic refresh is lagging leaving the movement trail because it is not refreshing. My first thought here was this may be due to the graphic card (a 3080) but I am not sure.
It's all just very frustrating.
Vanadiel
6 Professor
•
7K Posts
1
March 28th, 2022 04:00
BSOD and random restarts should be listed in the reliability report and event log. It should show what module caused the crash.
That's where you should start looking when experiencing BSOD's.
Tesla1856
8 Wizard
•
17.1K Posts
0
March 29th, 2022 09:00
1. Surge suppressor does virtually nothing unless you actually get hit by lightning or heavy-surge. AVR stabilizes and conditions AC-power 24/7 . Computer will not run 100% properly without good-power.
2. Not sure how that is relevant. I thought you were having an issue now?
3. Dell Support Assist and the others are some of the worse offenders.
4. Not sure what you are talking about.
5. That is why I posted. You seem to think you are only running MS-office or PhotoShop, but you are actually running 100's of Services and Processes in the background.
6. Either as I stated above or sometimes Adobe programs have trouble using the dual video-cards in your system. Sometimes you have to "lock it into" using one or the other.
7. Just shut-it-down and take a break. Helps to think of it like a puzzle or challenge. If you don't want to do it, you can pay someone else to do it.
nbryant
8 Posts
0
April 10th, 2022 07:00
Ok, I haven't responded as I wanted to try and see if I could isolate the issue morre then I already have. Unfortunately I can't. I check the logs when the system reset and in the latest it only shows "misc" with not other clarifying information. I sent this to Dell Customer Service:
I even considered that the wireless logitech trackball I was using may be the issue as it always occurs as I use it to make a selection. I changed to another trackball and now to a wired mouse that I just purchased to see if it was associated with this. Again, nothing changed.
So again, to clarify:
- I have had the system infrequently lock up and reboot on it's own.
- More so this is where it occurs just about every time: I am using Excel, and Adobe PDF viewer and running Photoshop. At some point upon trying to interact with any of them the system will, without notice, lock up and initaite a hard boot to the bios settings. If I use these programs collectively anytime I will incur the same result.
This is beyond frustrating and I once again must note that this has only been an issue since my having purchased this system. Over the last few years I had "never" encountered this and I was running the same programs all the time.
I can appreciate as customer servcie that you may attempt to satisfy this byt trying to see if there is a solution. Unfortunately I have lost faith in this product and am now feeling stuck having spent over $3k for what I thought would be my last ever PC purchase being older and closer to my end of days.
RodsterB
2 Intern
•
406 Posts
0
April 10th, 2022 08:00
How much RAM does this PC have? Typically recurring BSOD, are usually caused by memory issues if the PC crashes with different programs or different scenarios. A failing PSU can cause system crashes as was noticed previously.
I purchased an R10 and while it’s been decent, the PSU last a mere 8 months and it was plugged into an APC UPS. My suggestions are as follows:
1) What are the temps during operation?
2) Run memory tests
3) Self test the PSU with it powered down (black button on the back will turn green if it’s good)
Vanadiel
6 Professor
•
7K Posts
0
April 11th, 2022 04:00
What does the Windows reliability report show when you encounter a BSOD?
nbryant
8 Posts
0
April 11th, 2022 10:00
I replied by listing the indicators from the event log above.
Thanks.
nbryant
8 Posts
0
April 11th, 2022 10:00
A review of the event log shows:
4/11: AWCC
4/10: Adobe CEF
4/7: AWCC
4/4: AWCC (5 times)
4/2: AWCC
Through March 4 more instances, 3 AWCC, 1 game.
So it's easy enough from this information to determine/consider that AWCC (Alienware Control Center) is an issue. From here the questions would be, Why?, can I delete and reinstall it? or ?
Thanks.
Vanadiel
6 Professor
•
7K Posts
0
April 11th, 2022 11:00
There should be dump files for each BSOD.
Use a free program called bluescreenview to determine what caused the crash.
BSOD viewer
It's the items under "technical information" in the BSOD screen that is going to show you what exactly caused the crash.
nbryant
8 Posts
0
April 11th, 2022 12:00
Taking your advice I ran bluescreenview and it listed:
4/1 ntoskrnl.exe "INTERNAL_POWER_ERROR"
3/26 watchdog.sys
These are the only 2 it shows while there were other instances listed in the event log.
I once again checked to ensure all the drivers are current and that there are no windows updates and all the feedback indicates everything is up to date.
nbryant
8 Posts
0
April 11th, 2022 13:00
Pl;ease note this is from the reliability monitor.
This pic is from the event log summary: