1100 random freezing - due to overheating or something else?

Question

I've been reading thru this forum for help and I've been experiencing problems similar to 8500 users:

http://forums.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=insp_general&message.id=118394&view=by_date_ascending&page=1

My 1100 after about half a year began to randomly lock up and the screen is frozen with horizontal lines corrupting the image. It remains on and I need to hard reset it in order to regain use. I've been trying to find other 1100 users with the same problem, but the most relevant complaints I've seen are the 5100 overheating and 8500 random freezing, though I'm sure Dell used similar system design in all three Inspiron lines. I've ran diagnostics on my hard drive, memory, upgraded to the latest BIOS, ran the Dell system diagnostics, with all normal results. Random freezes still occur.

I've begun the customer support contacting - my question is whether I should attempt any fixes/diagnostics in the meantime? Any suggestions or ideas?

Thanks in advance.

parkerti · Answer

SFGiantsFan: Please post back your system configuration so that others may see what hardware you are running. Also does the problem happen randomly or same general circumstances every time? Regards,

SFGiantsFan · Answer

parkerti:

My computer freezing occurs intermittently and randomly. I can go a week without any problems, then bam! I'll get 3 or 4 freezes in a day or two. I don't see a pattern necessarily regarding a certain app or commands that cause it, though it tends to happen more often when the system is working harder (ie playing a DVD, videos), though it doesn't crash everytime I play a video. I have heard occasional pops and loud fan noises when it crashes.

Here is the system config (essentially factory):

Inspiron 1100
P4 2Ghz
256 MB RAM (2 - 128MB DIMMs)
30 GB IDE HD
24x CDRW/DVD
Intel(R) 82845G Graphics Controller 64Mb
14" XGA
BIOS A29 (latest BIOS)
Windows XP Home

Thanks for your help.

Keith

parkerti · Answer

SFGiantsFan:
The two things I would try would be to clean out the heatsink / fan assy. with canned air (see Cazint thread at top of this forum) and also remove and reseat the memory modules (while machine is unplugged and battery removed). Keep working with tech support but if they tell you to reinstall Windows, try these two things FIRST!

Regards,

cazint · Answer

SFGiantsFan,

If you are getting random freezes, but not shutdowns, AND if you are comfortable with computers, COUPLED with the fact that you say you have had your computer for a year and a half, I would definately recommend a wipe and reinstall. (ie. format the computer and reinstall windows).

Most likely, you have a lot of "garbage" on your computer which is causing conflicts and freezes. Fankly, I do this yearly, or sometimes more often than that. It really depends on how well your computer is maintained, and how much "stuff" you have on your computer. But if it has been a year and a half, if you are getting freezes, and most importantly, if you are comfortable doing this, then wipe and reinstall everything.

Make a backup of your personal files first. Then format the drive and load your os. this should take about an hour or an hour and a half. the long part is doing the internet updates. hope you have high speed internet...

have fun.

cazint.

SFGiantsFan · Answer

Thanks for the suggestion - the problem started actually after 6 months of owning the machine.  Currently the computer is just under a year old.  Regardless, I'll probably give your suggestion a try after I spend some time backing up all my files. Like you said, can't hurt to clean house every now and then.

SFGiantsFan · Answer

Just wanted to update: I tried parkerti's suggestion by cleaning out the fan with compressed air and reseated the memory modules.  As well, with the Fan Control GUI program, I've kept the CPU temp in the high 30s to low 40s degree C.   I have not had a crash since Wednesday since I've tried the suggestion.  Perhaps the crashing/screen freezing was related to CPU overheating...  Will keep you all posted.

ChrisYS · Answer

I also have an 1100 and occasionally, it gets frozen as well. The monitor just turns off and won't turn back on. When I feel above the keyboard, its quite hot. Underneath, the cover with the screw labelled "M" is REALLY hot.

Then this one time (today) I got a message saying that my video device could not complete drawing something and then another box popped up that said Windows had just recovered from a serious error. Is this a problem with my video chip? I try and keep the fan and heat fins vacuumed out, but maybe this isn't good enough?

It does seem to happen more when the weather is warmer. I've always suspected that the fan on most computers aren't up to the task.

Thanks.

ChrisYS

Locked Topics – Laptops General

1100 random freezing - due to overheating or something else?

Was this post helpful?