Optiplex 760 freezing

OK!

Changing the BIOS didn't fix it...

I see from the thread at:

http://en.community.dell.com/forums/thread/19501549.aspx

that some folks think it might be a power supply issue...

The only other thing on this machine is something called Intel management BIOS extensions - I don't know what this is or what it's doing, and I can't turn it off because it needs a password..

AHA!!! Just noted BIOS A05 - trying that...

The saga continues - freeze on first use after A05 BIOS upgrade.....

Andrew

Still no further..

Tried upgrading Intel driver for on-board video and removing Dell OCP software...

Still getting freezes...

Has anyone looked at the manufacturer of the CD/DVD drive?  I'm curious if anyone having freezing issues has a Hitachi CD/DVD in their system? 

Ok - My freezing machine has a HLDS = Hitachi GH30N CD/DVD drive, and I see there's a recent firmware upgrade for ti...

Also, this machine has a second HD - a Seagate ST3250310AS, and Seagate have a firmware patch for the NS version - the AS must be the dell OEM version.

Andrew

Hmmmm - that didn't do it.

I have noted that when it freezes, the power light is on; on pressing the pwoer button to restart, the "3" LED comes on transiently, followed by a rapid sequence of other lights, and then the system stops with all lights off; them pressing the pwoer button produces a normal startup

Andrew

Andrew,

All the machines that I have dealt with on this issue have all appeared to have Hitachi GH30N drives.  You also stated that your system had a GH30N.  I find this to be too much of a coincedence.  Looking at my asset reporting there are many different drive manufacturers and models in my Optiplex 760s.  Only the systems with the GH30N are reporting problems.  Did you apply both the DVD drive firmware and the Seagate?  Did you use Dell's provided firmware?  I am going to look to see if there is firmware available directly from Hitachi.

Steve

Steve,

I have upgraded the DVD to the latest firmware from the Dell website

GH30N_FW_A103.zip

and I'm still having a problem.

The Seagate site at:

http://seagate.custkb.com/seagate/crm/selfservice/search.jsp?DocId=207963&Hilite=

implies that the AS version is an OEM one, and their patch won't work. Dell don't have an upagrade for this drive.

The DVD is on SATA2; the Seagate Barracuda is on SATA1; and SATA0 is a WD Caviar Blue WD2500AAJS with no firmware upgrades on the WD or on the Dell sites.

The odd thing if it is the DVD is that the drive isn't being accessed by this user.

Andrew

Hm...

Just found this on the Dell support site.....

So  I've tried applying it - ran with no messgaes....

Release Date:	18/08/2009
Version:	6.3.3, A04
Download Type:	Utility	Other Versions
File Format:	Hard Drive
File Size:	204 MB

Download

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Description Dell System Software is a utility that provides critical updates and patches for your operating system. Dell System Software is necessary for correct operation of your Dell computer. The program automatically detects your computer and operating system and installs updates appropriate for your configuration.

I know this may sound a little odd, but try disconnecting the DVD driver internally (both power and data). We've been looking at two similar problems with a batch of 755's with the same DVD drive. We've found that with the DVD drive connected and SATA mode set to AHCI in the BIOS then we have the problems. A change of the SATA mode to 'Legacy IDE' in the BIOS or simply disconnecting the drive has resolved it for us.

At the same time we've updated the to the A103 firmware on another bunch of them, but it's too early to say if this has resolved anything. More info on our specifics can be found here: http://www.symantec.com/connect/blogs/optiplex-755-spontaneous-reboots-and-hangs-xp

Steve.

Steve,

I tried changing the BIOS for all the disk drives to legacy "IDE", and was just congratulating myself that everything had been stable, when it hung again!

I'm now down to just a couple of options:

I'm going to try replacing the Netgear wireless WN311B connection by a powerline connection ( this machine is too far from a standard ethernet port).

I'm also thinking about the power supply. Have you seen the entry in the Wiki at:

http://en.community.dell.com/wikis/desktop/a-more-powerful-graphics-card-for-a-dell-optiplex-760.aspx

This machine uses the onboard graphics, but if the power supply is a bit flaky...

Andrew

AHA....

Having decided on my plan of action, I went to the BIOS and reset the SATA to AHCI, on the basis that the change hadn't stopped the freezes.

I got a warning that the new system had found a new DVD/CD drive, it installed the driver, warned me that I might have to reboot, then FROZE!!!

On rebooting I went to Device Manager, and there were no problems flagged (there were 2 entries for the graphics controller and three for the monitor, but I'm not sure if that's an issue).

The driver was the generic Microsoft one dated 2001, and there's no newer one available for XP32, so I've disabled the drive in Device Manager - I haven't got time to pull the box and disable it in hardware tonight, and the user doesn't need the drive. Let's see what happens...

Andrew

Steve,

Interestingly, I decided that, since the "IDE " setting didn't fix it, I would set the BIOS back to "AHCI", and since then the system seems to have been stable. Given that the machine was sold as a Vista machine with an XP downgrade, I suppose its possible that there could be a driver issue.

However, I also set the McAfee not to do scheduled scans, and moved the users documents folder from the NAS to the local machine in case it was a software issue.

I haven't checked what the rating of the power supply is. This machine was supplied with a second hard drive but no additional graphics card, so I suppose it might have the smaller PSU, and installing the PCI wireless card might tip it over... Of course, disconnecting the CD/DVD will also reduce the load on the PSU.

I haven't contacted Dell yet, because I'm still not sure if it's a Dell problem or a local software/network problem. the machine has 3 years on-site, so I won't be shy!

hmm, this is all a bit strange. Try physically disconnecting the DVD drive and see what happens. That has definitely solved the issue with one of our images freezing and would once and for all say if it's the DVD drive or not. If it isn't, then the PSU is squarely back in the picture.

Incidentally, have you contacted Dell support about this?

Steve.