OptiPlex 7090, intermittent lag issues across applications

Question

I bought an Optiplex micro 7090. It has intermittent lag issues across applications. I identified software where the lag is consistent and demonstrated it to the support team. Despite me sending videos of the problem happening across the applications, the technicians are adamant that it is only a single application issue.

Lag issue: The lag issue is such that if I type something, it appears on the screen a couple to three seconds later. I took a video of the issue happening across google chrome and Microsoft edge. NOT THE ONLY APPLICATIONS with the problem.

So far, they're ignoring the videos and saying that it's a third-party application issue. If the technicians at Dell can't find a problem, they'll tell you that there is no issue with the system; it seems. If they don't address this issue, this will be my last dell product. They're not losing a single customer; I can promise that.

NJDave · Accepted Answer

@arasuadrian , that's GREAT -- I'm really glad to be able to help, and because a fix is (or should be) just around the corner. Let me provide a bit more advice though:

I had real problems making the driver installation work, because (as mentioned in the prior thread) Windows Update keeps installing a driver in the background, and it seems to cause some confusion in Windows' driver store. Consequently the driver you think you're running, and Driver Manager says you're running, may not be what you're actually running. I would advise:

Manually download (but don't install yet) both the Intel generic driver and the latest Dell-provided driver for the 7090. (I'm still running Intel's 30.0.101.1191, because it's been reliable for me from the start, but Intel has released four newer drivers since then. Your choice.)
Temporarily disable Windows Update as Intel describes here.
Clear all the existing Intel graphics drivers from the system as Intel describes here, until you're running the Microsoft Basic Display Adapter driver.
Install the Dell-provided driver you downloaded. A reboot is "optional" here but it couldn't hurt.
Install the Intel generic driver. Again, reboot optional but why not.
In Device Manager, check the Intel Graphics device properties. You should see the Intel driver version you selected rather than the Dell one. If not, click "Update Driver," then "Browse my computer for drivers" and "Let me pick from a list of available drivers." Select the Intel driver version and click Next.
Re-enable Windows Update.

You should be good to go! As I mentioned in the other thread, Intel recommends running the manufacturer's drivers rather than the generic ones, but if you don't encounter any problems, there's no reason not to go with the Intel driver until Dell blesses a driver that fixes this bug. Let us know how it pans out... good luck!

DELL-Cares · Answer

Thank you! We have received the required details. We will work towards a resolution. In the meantime, you may also receive assistance or suggestions from the community members.

Bat-Erdene_S · Answer

this happens not only with my Computer this happend with other new Optiplex 7090 on my job

NJDave · Answer

As a first step, when the problem is happening you can (presuming the system is responding) check the Performance tab in Task Manager and see whether any of the graphs (e.g. CPU, Memory, Disk) are pegged, indicating resource starvation.

I do know that Dell's current version of the Intel integrated graphics driver for the 7090 has a bug that can cause a memory leak which could manifest in the way you describe. (I discussed it at too much length here.) Intel has a fix but Dell isn't yet distributing the fix for many platforms, including the 7090. If this is the problem and the system is memory-starved, you'd see usage of memory and disk/SSD going through the roof.

arasuadrian · Answer

Thanks, @NJDave. Hopefully, Dell will fix the problem at the earliest.

NJDave · Answer

@arasuadrian, you're welcome! (Are you saying you are experiencing the memory leak symptoms I described? I'm very interested in how many people are seeing this.)

You can install the Intel driver now without having to wait indefinitely for Dell. I have specific advice to offer but I didn't want to clutter up the thread until I know you're actually experiencing the memory leak. Specifically you can see the "Desktop Window Manager" process ballooning in size in Task Manager. It should be < 100 MB.

DELL-Cares · Answer

Hi, This is not to rush you, I am following up to check if you have performed the OS reinstallation. Please share the outcome.

NJDave · Answer

Hello @DELL-Cares , I'm only a commenter.

arasuadrian · Answer

Sorry for the late reply. I attended a conference that kept me busy for the last few days. 'Desktop Window Manager' process is consistently above 100 MB in memory. I'll try reinstalling the driver as per the guidelines in the previous message you posted. Thanks.

arasuadrian · Answer

Thanks @NJDave. I'll update you as soon as I finish the procedure.

arasuadrian · Answer

I think the issue is fixed after the Intel update. I'll check the performance for a week and accept your answer as the solution. Thanks a lot.

arasuadrian · Answer

Thanks, @NJDave. The issue is fixed, and I didn't have to reinstall the OS (as suggested by @DELL-Cares). Updating the intel driver is the fix to the problem. I'll accept your answer as the solution. @Bat-Erdene_S, I advise you to follow the same instructions to fix the problems on your computer.

NJDave · Answer

You're welcome, @arasuadrian , glad I could help. Too bad Dell has been sitting on the solution to this problem for four months and counting. (Are you listening, @DELL-Cares ?)

NJDave · Answer

Though my advice in this thread worked, it contained an error. I advised pausing Windows Update during installation of the Intel driver, but that's not enough to keep it from interfering with the procedure. The user needs to disconnect the system from the internet at least until the Dell driver is installed. Sorry for any confusion or inconvenience.

NJDave · Answer

I wanted to update the thread because I made a mistake in the procedure I outlined in a previous post. It turns out that disabling Windows Update in Settings isn't enough to prevent WU from installing in the background the current Dell version of the Intel graphics driver; you need to actually disconnect your internet. As I write this, the memory leak bug is still present in the current driver for many platforms. You can substitute disconnecting/reconnecting your internet for disabling/re-enabling Windows Update in the procedure above, or reference the modified procedure here.

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OptiPlex 7090, intermittent lag issues across applications

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