This sounds pretty frustrating, I am sorry that you have to deal with this. From what you have mentioned there isn't enough information here if this is a hardware or software problem.
I suggest trying diagnostics. Once you get the chance start the system from a cold boot while holding down the FN key or tapping F12 and choose diagnostics. Run the basic tests and if possible the memory and hard drive tests. Please report back here with the results of the diagnostics.
Hi Terry, sorry to get back so late but been tied up with finals. The computer started working again after we last discussed the problem, however this morning it froze again and I had to leave it until now to drain the battery for a restart.
I ran diagnostics and so far everything up to the hard drive passed. It asked me to wait for about 30 minutes for the checking of the memory. I will update you when it finishes. Thanks for your help.
I hope that you did well with the finals. It is always kind of a stressful time.
So it is unlikely a hard drive or memory problem. The two times that you have had crashes, what do you remember was going on with the system, what programs was running, where you actively using the system and what was you trying to do on the system when you noticed the problems? Are you online when it does happen? Have you received any error messages or any other symptoms other than the couple of lockups?
It is a lock up upon booting to windows. For a whole month after receiving the laptop, there were actually no problems or signs of this.
The first time it was stuck at the log-in screen. Every time since then it is after I enter the password and log in, I see my desktop and then it hangs without any response. Currently, it has locked up about 4 times within a span of 3-4 days between each.
Sorry I keep forgetting to check this forum as i don't get email alerts when you respond.
Since diagnostics didn't come up with anything and since you did not notice the problem the first month that you had the notebook you may want to consider system restore. See if you have any restore points saved at the time that you weren’t having the problem.
If no restore points was saved back at that time you may wish to consider PC restore. Please back up your data before attempting PC Restore as it will delete the primary partition and create it again. After running the restore don't install any of your personal software yet, use the machine for a couple of days and see if the problem returns. Run Windows Updates and see if the problem returns. Then slowly, one program or device at a time, install your devices and programs. This way if the problem does return you will have a decent idea what is causing it, buy the programs that was just reinstalled on the notebook.
For more info on System and PC restore please check out the following link
DELL-Terry B
4 Operator
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3.5K Posts
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December 9th, 2011 12:00
This sounds pretty frustrating, I am sorry that you have to deal with this. From what you have mentioned there isn't enough information here if this is a hardware or software problem.
I suggest trying diagnostics. Once you get the chance start the system from a cold boot while holding down the FN key or tapping F12 and choose diagnostics. Run the basic tests and if possible the memory and hard drive tests. Please report back here with the results of the diagnostics.
TB
d1nguyen
7 Posts
0
December 9th, 2011 14:00
Thanks Terry, I'll give it a try tonight when I get home. Certainly hoping for the best and appreciate your quick response.
DELL-Terry B
4 Operator
•
3.5K Posts
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December 12th, 2011 15:00
Please let me know what you find out with the diagnostics.
TB
d1nguyen
7 Posts
0
December 14th, 2011 16:00
Hi Terry, sorry to get back so late but been tied up with finals. The computer started working again after we last discussed the problem, however this morning it froze again and I had to leave it until now to drain the battery for a restart.
I ran diagnostics and so far everything up to the hard drive passed. It asked me to wait for about 30 minutes for the checking of the memory. I will update you when it finishes. Thanks for your help.
d1nguyen
7 Posts
0
December 14th, 2011 18:00
Finished last diagnostic on memory, passed also. Looks like diagnostics wasn't able to find the problem.
DELL-Terry B
4 Operator
•
3.5K Posts
0
December 15th, 2011 13:00
I hope that you did well with the finals. It is always kind of a stressful time.
So it is unlikely a hard drive or memory problem. The two times that you have had crashes, what do you remember was going on with the system, what programs was running, where you actively using the system and what was you trying to do on the system when you noticed the problems? Are you online when it does happen? Have you received any error messages or any other symptoms other than the couple of lockups?
TB
d1nguyen
7 Posts
0
December 18th, 2011 10:00
Hi Terry,
It is a lock up upon booting to windows. For a whole month after receiving the laptop, there were actually no problems or signs of this.
The first time it was stuck at the log-in screen. Every time since then it is after I enter the password and log in, I see my desktop and then it hangs without any response. Currently, it has locked up about 4 times within a span of 3-4 days between each.
Sorry I keep forgetting to check this forum as i don't get email alerts when you respond.
DELL-Terry B
4 Operator
•
3.5K Posts
0
December 19th, 2011 08:00
Since diagnostics didn't come up with anything and since you did not notice the problem the first month that you had the notebook you may want to consider system restore. See if you have any restore points saved at the time that you weren’t having the problem.
If no restore points was saved back at that time you may wish to consider PC restore. Please back up your data before attempting PC Restore as it will delete the primary partition and create it again. After running the restore don't install any of your personal software yet, use the machine for a couple of days and see if the problem returns. Run Windows Updates and see if the problem returns. Then slowly, one program or device at a time, install your devices and programs. This way if the problem does return you will have a decent idea what is causing it, buy the programs that was just reinstalled on the notebook.
For more info on System and PC restore please check out the following link
Win7 System Restore
support.dell.com/.../document
Win7 PC Restore
support.dell.com/.../document
Please let me know what you decide to try and what the results where.
TB