New XPS 1645 Crashes constantly!

SkySaw, I had also tried windows update but the problem was still there.. But after everything, only clean install helped me out.. Anywaz... thanx for ur suggestions..

For someone experiencing the same problems (and not having the A03 BIOS fix the problem), would anyone this thread be able to give a detailed description of how to do a clean install of Windows and which Dell drivers to install as well? I assume that I will have to reinstall all of my software.

Thanks

Hi,

I am also having the same lock-up problem. Maybe once several days. I have install current A03 BIOS and still experinces lock-ups.

Thanks

I did a fresh install of Windows Home Premium x64. Used dell drivers (including video). Only dell app installed was quickset. I still have the video issues. atikmdag errors. Only when using online video, either from Hulu.com or southparkstudios. Where southparkstudios will lock it up within 20 min. Hulu is hit and miss.

Called Dell support with Video crash / Hot power adapter (already replaced once) / and Keys that don't work sometimes. New Motherboard, Power Adapter and Keyboard on its way out. Lets hope this fixes my current issues.

BIOS A03 all drivers are latest available from dell.

Dell Studio XPS16 (1645)
| i7-720QM | 6GB DDR3-1333 | ATI 4670 1GB |
| 1080p WLED | 500GB HD | DVD | Windows 7 64-bit |

I had issues with a different type of computer and had to return to Dell twice.  Once for the memory and once for the video.    I must say that after all was said and done it was found not the computers fault.  The granddaughter took it to college and got it loaded with viruses and trojans.  But they were fast.  Week turn around.

I have, so far, had a Dell authorized re-seller do a clean install, have updated the bios, and have allowed Dell Support to remotely access my computer, to make changes including changes to the CPU speed and MSconfig.  Tonight, my computer locked up again.  Same as before.  I am waiting to hear back from Dell Support regarding a solution, but am not hopeful.  I don't think Dell has any idea of what is causing this problem.

SW

First week I had this computer it crashed everyday. It worked great otherwise.

After the 5th crash or so I reinstalled windows 7 and installed some of the dell drivers from the disk they provided. My computer works great now, not a crash since. I pretty much installed the touchpad, Quickset, and wireless card drivers. And was to afraid to install anything else. I heard some people talking about the facial recoginition causing problems.

"Quickset Driver" is a must if you want the media bar and mouse pad to work correctly.

Reinstalling windows took about an hour or so so I highly recommend it.

My comp: Dell studio xps 16 1645. i7, 6gb ram, 500 gb, ati 4670 1gb, Win7

Got the following replaced on 12/22:
1. Motherboard - Did Not fix video crash/lockup or Power Supply being hot
2. Power supply - Did Not fix Power supply being hot
3. Keyboard - Did fix some keys intermittently not working

 Dell reps only came to do their jobs. One in training. "I haven't heard anything about these laptops", "I'm new, but I'm also training". "I don't have any additional parts (130w adapter)".

Hey look the new power supply still burns 170° Fahrenheit. "Sorry, you will need to call Dell Tech Support to resolve your issue"

Hey look the video still locks up and crashes the computer. "Sorry, you will need to call Dell Tech Support to resolve your issue"

Hey thanks for fixing the keys, now I can log in to windows without having to use the onscreen or external keyboard.

Sigh.....

Guys,

I also have the same problems with my new 1645, which freezes several times per day and becomes unstable when watching web videos. I received this system 2 days ago.

I just spoke with technical support supervisor and he told me that this is a known issue with many of these systems. He said that this is a design issue which does not get fixes with latest BIOS or chipset upgrade. They don't have a solution today, but their engineering team expects to have a solution soon. They are also offering either a full refund or a replacement system with this problem fixed. I like this system (given that they fix the problem) and decided to give them another chance before requesting a full refund. They promissed to deliver a new system within 3 weeks with this problem fixed.

So, I think there is no solution that we can come up with here on our own. My suggestion to all of you guys with this problem is to either get a new system when the fix is worked out or get a full refund.

The question is, did I make the right decision to get a replacement before giving up on Dell and how will they compensate for 3 weeks of lost productivity?

:(

Chad,

Please try to update ur display card driver, do not use the Dell driver. Go to ATI website and download the ATI Catalyst http://game.amd.com/us-en/drivers_catalyst.aspx?driver=VideoCard/xp64-components

Then download this http://www.driverheaven.net/modtool.php

Follow the instructions there, so the ATI Catalyst can work on laptop

This should fixed the ATI error and fix the lockup, if the problem still persists, your last chance is uninstall the ATI CCC but retain the display card driver.

I do not face a single lockup after I done this.

Smart thinking.  The computer I am having trouble with would be a nice computer, but with the problems, and the sorry response from Dell support, I cannot recommend it.  The computer I bought is the sixth Dell computer in our household, and my fourth Dell.  After I bought it, and had so many problems, a relative wanted a computer, so we went to Best Buy and bought her a Sony. No problems for her so far.

I was about to order one of these machines, but after reading about all your problems I am starting to think otherwise.

Chad, Please try to update ur display card driver, do not use the Dell driver. Go to ATI website and download the ATI Catalyst http://game.amd.com/us-en/drivers_catalyst.aspx?driver=VideoCard/xp64-components Then download this http://www.driverheaven.net/modtool.php Follow the instructions there, so the ATI Catalyst can work on laptop This should fixed the ATI error and fix the lockup, if the problem still persists, your last chance is uninstall the ATI CCC but retain the display card driver. I do not face a single lockup after I done this.

SkySaw, I tried this and so far I have not seen random crashes of the system. I also installed Flash 10.1 beta 2 and this has fixed the problem with Web videos like southparkstudios.com, which is now working great. So the modded video driver and Flash 10.1 beta 2 seems like the solution to both problems (system freezes and Web videos). So far so good, let's see if this continues to work for everyone.

This is encouraging, but we did not sign up to be beta testers for Dell after spending so much money on these laptops...

:(

Hi Group,

Perhaps the problem with things freezing up .. is the VIDEO CARD... take a look at what happened to the  Apple 27-inch iMac computer.. their screen would flicker and freeze up as well.

Symptoms

The 27-inch iMac Graphics Firmware Update applies to the graphics firmware on ATI Radeon HD 4670 and 4850 graphics cards to address issues that may cause image corruption or the display to flicker.

See Link:    http://support.apple.com/kb/TS3181

What do you all think? ...and is it Possible ..  Dell is working on a FIRMWARE Update .. right now.. as well?

Thanks,   -A

Hello everyone,

I found a post in this forum which has resolved the crash that takes place during video playback on multiple different websites.

my Machine: Dell XPS 1645 with I7820, OSW7, 6Gram, 250GSDD, AMD-ATI 4670 graphics card.

I change my power scheme to never turn off monitor and this resolved the crashes that took place during video playback. 

BIOS, ATI drivers and video codec updates did NOT resolve crashes. Only after I changed the power scheme did the crashes halt.

:emotion-15:

LaptopJeff

Nevermind, I just watched a AVATAR trailer and my Dell XPS Laptop Crashed to blue screen.

12/30/09 Update Still freezing on video play back, tech support unable to resolve. Screen during normal surfing also includes brightness changes.

I tried disabling Fast Access and Video cam, but eventually screen went black and processor overwhelmed froze.

I'm going to buy a Core 2 Duo 3.06GH and NVIDIA

 Please note: I noticed HP i7 processors having problems as well on their machines. Unfortunatley I am returning my 1645 and in the tedius process of obtaining a return slip.