XPS 8930, freezes for 3-5 seconds

@whoareyou_2009 

The following driver was installed at initial boot: 

Driver Manufacturer: Intel Corporation
Driver Description: Intel(R) Chipset SATA/PCIe RST Premium Controller
Driver Provider: Intel Corporation
Driver Version: 17.5.0.1017
Driver Date: 08-May-2019
DeviceInstanceId PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_2822&SUBSYS_08591028&REV_00\3&11583659&0&B8
Location Paths PCIROOT(0)#PCI(1700)

@rjbards 

From what you've indicated, you have NOT installed Intel RST drivers and related application.  Can you please confirm this?

Thanks very much

@rjbards 

Thanks.  This is helpful as it confirms that I have same driver installed for the IDE ata/atapi driver.  

But ... I wasn't clear in my question - sorry.

I was referring to the Intel Rapid Storage Technology Driver and Management Console download package from the Dell site - which installs additional services and drivers, so I was wondering if the same AHCI driver is installed.   The Intel install package  also seems to include explorer extensions for Optane memory management.

BTW - When I first purchased machine, first thing I did was clean reinstall to NVME drive. Until recently, my machine always ran perfectly (including the initial 1903 upgrade).  It's only last month (approx.) that I started seeing these freezes.

Unfortunately I installed Dell's update utility.  I say unfortunate because updates from both Dell and MS have been installed, so I have no way of knowing which update caused the intermittent freezes. 

Now, I am methodically removing services and drivers.  The RST management components (installed by Dell update most likely), starting with the explorer shell extensions, are the latest I am looking at.  

Thanks for the info.

.

@whoareyou_2009 

I have not installed the "Rapid Storage Technology Driver and Management Console" from either Intel or Dell.

The Dell web site says the "package reduces power consumption and improves stability of the system".

And frankly, I am nervous about Dell's attempts to "reduce power consumption" and "improves system stability" may be just another marketing gimmick. 

With a clean install it is likely better for testing to keep the generic drivers that W10 installs like @rjbards.   

They appear to be recent from his info and no reason to install drivers off the Dell Site unless you have problems.  

@rjbards @whoareyou_2009 

I DO NOT have Intel Rapid Storage Technology nor any Dell software on either one of my stable machines.  This should be noted as well.  I did this per @Tesla1856 recommendation.  I did outline this basic install package 08/15/19 on the other thread

Typically there should never be an issue with a clean install of a stable Windows 10 build.    Following an install of the OS, always check the Dell XPS 8930 support page.  Dell does test each model with the drivers installed by a W10 build and will release updated drivers (or BIOS) as necessary.  I am staying with 1809 from last year.  It’s a stable build with this machine. 

As far as driver and software packages, with a clean install and not using a Dell recovery disk:

Dell downloads off their site not necessary to install:
Dell Digital Delivery App
Dell Update- Support Assist Update Plug in
Dell Mobile Connect Driver
Intel Ready Mode Technology App
OTB Survey-Dell Customer Connect

For required hardware drivers, W10 will often install a generic driver that Dell has supposedly tested.  Dell will then issue a driver update once a new Windows build is out if an update is necessary.
Check the website to see if any of these updates are newer than the date of your Windows 10 build.
v 1809:  10/10/18
v 1903:  5/10/19

Intel Chipset Device Driver (typically installed first)
Intel Management Engine Interface Driver
Intel Serial IO Driver
Realtek Audio Driver
Qualcomm QCA1x4A QCA9377 WiFi and Bluetooth Driver
Intel UHD Graphics Driver
Killer E2400/2500 Giagabit Ethernet Controller Driver
Intel Rapid Storage Technology Driver and Management Console (optional)

Just had another Freeze!

The ONLY thing that I can find is a very large number of "Audit Success" Reports within the Security section of "Window Logs" within Event Viewer!

I have a total of 137 logs within a period from 10:16:54 (A.M. UK Time) to 10:17:03 - with a noticeable gap (i.e. NO logs) between 10:16:56 & 10:17:02 - which I suspect was the actual time of the Freeze!

The vast majority of these Logs are identical:-

********************************************************************************************

Log Name: Security
Source: Microsoft-Windows-Security-Auditing
Date: 30/09/2019 10:16:54
Event ID: 5379
Task Category: User Account Management
Level: Information
Keywords: Audit Success
User: N/A
Computer: DESKTOP-XXXXXX
Description:
Credential Manager credentials were read.

Subject:
Security ID: DESKTOP-XXXXXXX\xxxxx
Account Name: xxxxx
Account Domain: DESKTOP-XXXXXX
Logon ID: 0x25749
Read Operation: Enumerate Credentials

This event occurs when a user performs a read operation on stored credentials in Credential Manager.
Event Xml:
http://schemas.microsoft.com/win/2004/08/events/event">


5379
0
0
13824
0
0x8020000000000000

184951


Security
DESKTOP-XXXXXXX



S-1-5-21-2046054793-457691140-2656678995-1001
xxxxx
DESKTOP-XXXXXXX
0x25749
MicrosoftAccount:user=xxxx@xxxxxxx.xx
0
1
%%8100
0
2019-09-30T09:16:53.119505200Z
11988

NOTE:- Personal detail replaced with "XXXX" etc.

********************************************************************************************

Hope this means something to somebody - as its meaningless to me!

Regards,

John-Jay

@HanoverB 

Good news this morning - I have finally been "Freeze-Free" over the past 48+ hours.

- I installed a new WD Black 2TB drive on Friday afternoon to replace the older Dell 1TB C:\ drive.

- Loaded Win 10 1903 from USB; a clean install of the newest MS ISO download.

- Did NOT install any Dell software, no Dell drivers, everything loaded via MS Win 10 update.

I have been loading applications and data over the past 48+ hours and no "freeze" issues. The system is running perfectly so far...

CPU Brand Name: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-8700 CPU @ 3.20GHz
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home (x64) Build 18362.387 (1903/May 2019 Update)
BIOS Manufacturer: Dell Inc.
BIOS Date: 07/16/2019
BIOS Version: 1.1.8

My current drivers and version data posted earlier on this forum...

Great!!

AHCI in your BIOS as operating mode for your SATA drives?

@HanoverB 

Yes:

AHCI Status: Enabled
AHCI Version: 1.31
Ports Implemented: 1, 2, 3, 4

@rjbards 

Hi Bob,

Was AHCI the original setting for SATA Operations on your Dell PC or did you change the bios setting yourself please?

I ask because I thought Dell usually ships their PC with RAID ON instead.

Thanks,

Steve

@DellCan 

The Bios settings have not been changed. I am running SATA HDDs with 16GB Intel Optane as a drive boost.  Here is the full config:

Intel ICH8/PCH - SATA RAID 0/1/5/10 Controller [A0] -----------------------

[General Information]
Device Name: Intel ICH8/PCH - SATA RAID 0/1/5/10 Controller [A0]
Original Device Name: Intel ICH8/PCH - SATA RAID 0/1/5/10 Controller [A0]
Device Class: RAID controller
Revision ID: 0 [A0]
PCI Address (Bus:Device:Function) Number: 0:23:0
PCI Latency Timer: 0
Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_2822&SUBSYS_08591028&REV_00
[System Resources]
Interrupt Line: N/A
Interrupt Pin: INTA#
Memory Base Address 0 EC180000
Memory Base Address 1 EC18C000
I/O Base Address 2 F090
I/O Base Address 3 F080
I/O Base Address 4 F060
Memory Base Address 5 EC100000
[Features]
Bus Mastering: Enabled
Running At 66 MHz: Capable
Fast Back-to-Back Transactions: Capable
[SATA Host Controller]
Interface Speed Supported: Gen3 6.0 Gbps
Number Of Ports: 4
External SATA Support: Not Capable
Aggressive Link Power Management: Capable
Staggered Spin-up: Not Capable
Mechanical Presence Switch: Not Capable
Command Queue Acceleration: Capable
64-bit Addressing: Capable
AHCI Status: Enabled
AHCI Version: 1.31
Ports Implemented: 1, 2, 3, 4
[SATA Port#1]
Port Status: Device Present, Phy communication established
Current Interface Speed: Gen3 6.0 Gbps
External SATA Port: Not Capable
Hot Plug: Not Capable
Device Type: SATA

@rjbards 

Hi Bob,

Just to make sure that I understand what you have done to achieve a zero freeze condition so far ... the PC is basically running "pure" Win10 software only. No Dell Utilities, no Dell recommended drivers, and no OEM drivers that Win10 did not install. Is this correct?

Outstanding job Bob, very well done. Thanks.

Steve

@rjbards 

Solid.  Looks promising.

Good work!  You did two clean installs for testing.  Thanks,

Keep the thread informed about longer term stability..

@DellCan 

"Just to make sure that I understand what you have done to achieve a zero freeze condition so far ... the PC is basically running "pure" Win10 software only. No Dell Utilities, no Dell recommended drivers, and no OEM drivers that Win10 did not install."

Yes, a clean Win 10 install. Windows installed all drivers and Device Manager shows no errors.