Unusual Freezing - can't resolve (although tech)!!

[stevemitch]

How embarrassing is this - a computer technician and I can't get to the bottom of my own problem on my laptop.

The issue I have had for some time is that every few days it completely FREEZES, and nothing changes that, only holding the power button down to completely turn off that way, can't get task manager at all.

This seems to happen when it has fairly large task to do (possibly memory related), so like if I try and copy a few GB upwards of data over to my network drive - it totally freezes within 30 secs, or over to another laptop/pc same thing or even between folders.

I use a network drive to keep most data on as it's easier to access from any other pc's, laptops I have, and also protects against any pc major problem and possible data loss. This way on the network drive - all data is stored on it and that drive is also attached to another usb external drive which backs up the network drive frequently - just to be safe.

I have a dell latitude E6400, (6 Months old), Core 2 Duo P8700 @ 2.53GHz, 4Gb DDR2, 250Gb H/D running Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit

Things I have done so far:
I have tested memory with both Windows Memory Test (on Win7 Disc/at Boot)
Also tested memory from boot with CleanMem By PcWinTech.com v1.7.0
BOTH tests passed fine - no errors at all

Next test was the Hard Drive with Seagate tools and FULL scan - again all passed fine

Checked for any issues with any windows updates and although found one relating to issue copying over to usb drive in windows 7, it didn't apply to this laptop and the fix ref no was not relevant either

Obviously done cleanups, defrag, etc but just can't seem to get to the bottom of it and really hope some of you may be able to shed some light on this issue.

Haven't contacted Dell as it could be windows/software related which they will end up charging me for if they send out a tech on the next day warranty i have (only for hardware replacements)

FULL Specs, software installed etc can be seen here:
samples.pcrepair-south.co.uk/E6400-Spec (sorry incomplete link - won't let me post full link until after 15 posts...!!)

Looking forward to any help, advice etc
Many thanks
Steve

 

[shamrin]

Anything interesting in the Event Logs? You should try running it under Ubuntu Live CD or some other GUI-based environment. If that runs fine, you know it's Windows. Be sure to run the embedded Dell Diagnostics program before you call Dell.

 

[Methical]

Anything interesting in the Event Logs? You should try running it under Ubuntu Live CD or some other GUI-based environment. If that runs fine, you know it's Windows. Be sure to run the embedded Dell Diagnostics program before you call Dell.

BIOS is another one to jump into; if you have no LiveCD's around

 

[stevemitch]

Hi
Nothing in Events except 'unexpected shutdown' and have reinstalled/upgraded BIOS

The only item in events is ID:37 -

The speed of processor 1 in group 0 is being limited by system firmware. The processor has been in this reduced performance state for 9 seconds since the last report.

But that was few hours prior to tonights freeze

Also went to nVidia direct for latest drivers as there was one that dell didnt have, also checked the same at Intel checking for drivers that dell may not have had (wless, chipset etc)

Thanks
Steve

 

[oldtech]

Check for updated drivers? We had a client unit in a week ago that was exhibiting something similar - turned out to be an out of date 64 bit driver for the card slot of all things.

 

[cyabro]

Have you tried Prime95?

 

[MobileTechie]

You need to try to define the extent of the problem. I.e. how wide-reaching it is. So disconnect everything that is not core to the system and see if it still happens, then if doesn't build it back up until the problem occurs.

For instance, from what you say the problem appears to be only related to network activities, in which case your PCs disk, memory and bios etc are not likely culprits. Is that the case? Does it only happen on these network data transfers? If so then there is the place to focus on - the network drivers, the network itself, the NIC and so on.

Think like a doctor - if there are no clear symptoms defining the problem then poke it until it hurts!

 

[Kitten Kong]

I had a similar type of issue with my main machine. Running win 7 x64 ob nic. I can transfer data to a spare drive no issues at all. But as soon as I come to transfer it back over again, the pc halts.

I narrowed it down to the ob nic, after installing a gb nic, it appears to be fine. Could be a place for you to focus on perhaps?

 

[stevemitch]

I had a similar type of issue with my main machine. Running win 7 x64 ob nic. I can transfer data to a spare drive no issues at all. But as soon as I come to transfer it back over again, the pc halts.

I narrowed it down to the ob nic, after installing a gb nic, it appears to be fine. Could be a place for you to focus on perhaps?

It does seem to be only when transferring over wireless as to usb external drive is fine and also Live CD this morning was fine to external after booting from that CD.

 

[Kitten Kong]

How about over ethernet rather than wireless?

I had no issues transferring to external either way. But from the internal to another machine over nic was causing me issues. Hence the need to install a separate gigabit nic.

 

[coco3_man]

I just had 2 E6410's and both would freeze. Both had a bad CPU/GPU.

I ran some burn in software to stress the chip and it locked up.

On one, the CPU stress locked it up but the GPU stress test didn't and was the other way around for the other laptop. Since it was an integrated chip, I just replaced it in both computers.

It is worth a try...

Tom

 

[stevemitch]

I just had 2 E6410's and both would freeze. Both had a bad CPU/GPU.

I ran some burn in software to stress the chip and it locked up.

On one, the CPU stress locked it up but the GPU stress test didn't and was the other way around for the other laptop. Since it was an integrated chip, I just replaced it in both computers.

It is worth a try...

Tom

Hi Tom
Why would it only affect the transfer over wless network and not elsewhere (USB drives etc)?

What software did you use to test and did dell send you replacement CPU?

My graphics is the Quadro 160 NVS

Regards
Steve

 

[MobileTechie]

Hi Tom
Why would it only affect the transfer over wless network and not elsewhere (USB drives etc)?


Regards
Steve

It wouldn't. The chances of this being CPU related are, in my opinion, pretty much zero. It sounds like a networking thing.

 

[coco3_man]

...What software did you use to test and did dell send you replacement CPU?...

SiSoftware has a utility called Sandra (check download.cnet.com). I proved that it was the GPU half of the chip and they replaced it. As a note, the E6410 uses an integrated CPU/GPU.

Stress one part of the system at a time and see if a fault shows up. Your milage may vary...

Tom