sdmarty,

Thank you for using the Dell Community Forum.

You need to look at what you are doing when the system locks up.  Look at what applications are open.  See if there is any pattern to the problem.  Does the system lock up when a specific application is open?  Does the system lock up when you go to perform a specific function, like saving a file?  Any pattern to the problem may help in determining the cause of the problem.

 

there seems to be a problem with the low level drivers.  it can lock up in screen saver.

it can lock  up while in the start menu.  it can lockup when i put in a DVD movie.  The only

time it doesn't seem to lock up is when i'm at work and attached to 2 monitors

my display setup is

1 (multiple monitors on NVIDIA GeForce4 4200 (Dell Mobile)

2 Plug and Play Monitor on NVIDIA GeForce4 4200 Go (Dell Mobile)

again the system doesn't seem to lock up when I'm attached to two monitors.

 

 

the dual monitor doest'n seem to matter.  I'm down too not locking up only when I'm using a USB mouse and keyboard.

 

Seems we have precisely same problem and very similar systems, I posted above about multiple complete crashes/lock-ups.  I most frequently experience lock-up during dvd playback, but have lock-ups at other times without dvd.  Next step for me is to update dvd+rw drivers.  I'll post with results. 

jconruss

Insp 8500, 2.5g, sxga+, 512m ram, 80g hdd, nvidia GeForce 4200 64m, dvd+rw, win wp home

jconruss,

this might help.  I you plug something into the usb port (mouse, memory stick, ... )  the system should give you 8+ hours

without locking up.  I haven't tested past that time window.   for more info on this issue check out the INSPIRON FORUM

"General Hardware" replacement 8500 lockup topic.  there you will find over 490 instances of lockups.  good luck hope

this helps.