Comments on: Finally seem to have resolved my Dell Latitude D830 freeze issue! http://vivekagarwal.wordpress.com/2008/10/05/finally-seem-to-have-resolved-my-dell-latitude-d830-freeze-issue/ An IBM Gold Consultant's weblog about IBM, Lotus, WebSphere, J2EE, IT Processes, and other IT technologies Thu, 17 Dec 2009 03:13:15 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Derek http://vivekagarwal.wordpress.com/2008/10/05/finally-seem-to-have-resolved-my-dell-latitude-d830-freeze-issue/#comment-2389 Derek Wed, 25 Nov 2009 04:22:13 +0000 http://vivekagarwal.wordpress.com/?p=126#comment-2389 Well! It seems the problem is fixed. Ran diagnostics, failed and wouldn't continue, can't remember the error code. Called Dell support who after much consultation said to remove one of the RAM boards. I started with the easy one to access (through the little door on the bottom (the other is under the keyboard)). Problem solved, runs like a charm on 2GB RAM, Dell sent a new RAM board so I'm back up to 4GB and all's well. Well! It seems the problem is fixed. Ran diagnostics, failed and wouldn’t continue, can’t remember the error code.

Called Dell support who after much consultation said to remove one of the RAM boards. I started with the easy one to access (through the little door on the bottom (the other is under the keyboard)). Problem solved, runs like a charm on 2GB RAM, Dell sent a new RAM board so I’m back up to 4GB and all’s well.

]]> By: Derek http://vivekagarwal.wordpress.com/2008/10/05/finally-seem-to-have-resolved-my-dell-latitude-d830-freeze-issue/#comment-2387 Derek Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:16:14 +0000 http://vivekagarwal.wordpress.com/?p=126#comment-2387 I have a Dell D830, 4GB RAM, 160GB HD, XP, NVidea Quadro NVS 140M. I've applied all the fixes Vivek has made except disable the NVidea drivers, upgraded BIOS to A14. The computer is ruining my life, the power button is d@mn near worn out. I'm writing this from another computer as I'm now running the Dell Memory Diagnostic on the D830 and it has been running for 8 hours has has not yet completed the first loop. I bought the computer Mar '08 and it ran fine for about a year, then about 6 months ago I noticed the fan started running continuously and the problems began. I've tried Iolo Mechanic and PC Tools which seemed to help for a couple of hours but the slow downs and freezes would return after an hour or so. Recently the computer has shut down on the "high temperature" hardware function. I have a new hard drive and a copy of Win7 Ultimate sitting in boxes ready to do a clean install and leave me the option to swap back to the old system, as I still have to do work (I'm semi-retired, working now from home, but need a reliable laptop to bring to client's office and when I travel). I was intrigued by Mikestam's comments and will tackle cooling issues before I install the new HD & Win7. Right now I travel with an Acer Aspire 1 Netbook, which I find blindingly fast compared to the D830! I'll post results. Derek I have a Dell D830, 4GB RAM, 160GB HD, XP, NVidea Quadro NVS 140M. I’ve applied all the fixes Vivek has made except disable the NVidea drivers, upgraded BIOS to A14. The computer is ruining my life, the power button is d@mn near worn out. I’m writing this from another computer as I’m now running the Dell Memory Diagnostic on the D830 and it has been running for 8 hours has has not yet completed the first loop. I bought the computer Mar ‘08 and it ran fine for about a year, then about 6 months ago I noticed the fan started running continuously and the problems began. I’ve tried Iolo Mechanic and PC Tools which seemed to help for a couple of hours but the slow downs and freezes would return after an hour or so. Recently the computer has shut down on the “high temperature” hardware function.

I have a new hard drive and a copy of Win7 Ultimate sitting in boxes ready to do a clean install and leave me the option to swap back to the old system, as I still have to do work (I’m semi-retired, working now from home, but need a reliable laptop to bring to client’s office and when I travel).

I was intrigued by Mikestam’s comments and will tackle cooling issues before I install the new HD & Win7. Right now I travel with an Acer Aspire 1 Netbook, which I find blindingly fast compared to the D830! I’ll post results.

Derek

]]> By: Vivek Agarwal http://vivekagarwal.wordpress.com/2008/10/05/finally-seem-to-have-resolved-my-dell-latitude-d830-freeze-issue/#comment-2362 Vivek Agarwal Fri, 02 Oct 2009 16:06:33 +0000 http://vivekagarwal.wordpress.com/?p=126#comment-2362 It does appear to be unrelated to NVidia as I have seen several posts from folks with ATI video cards that they have seen similar issues. At this point, I am unsure what the root cause is and what the right solution is on a global basis. I know that in my particular case, the steps outlined above resolved the issue. An additional point that I would like to make is that I had reinstalled Windows XP on my laptop (exact same hardware) a few months back. When I reinstalled, I installed Win XP SP3 directly (as opposed to installing SP2 and then patching it to SP3) and then applied the latest Dell drivers available at the time for my hardware. I did NOT disable NView, but I have been freeze-free. So to sum it up, since my reinstall I have SP3, the A13 BIOS and the updated NVidia driver, and I have not had my laptop freeze. Hope this helps! -Vivek. It does appear to be unrelated to NVidia as I have seen several posts from folks with ATI video cards that they have seen similar issues. At this point, I am unsure what the root cause is and what the right solution is on a global basis. I know that in my particular case, the steps outlined above resolved the issue.

An additional point that I would like to make is that I had reinstalled Windows XP on my laptop (exact same hardware) a few months back. When I reinstalled, I installed Win XP SP3 directly (as opposed to installing SP2 and then patching it to SP3) and then applied the latest Dell drivers available at the time for my hardware. I did NOT disable NView, but I have been freeze-free. So to sum it up, since my reinstall I have SP3, the A13 BIOS and the updated NVidia driver, and I have not had my laptop freeze. Hope this helps!

-Vivek.

]]> By: Alexandre Peshansky http://vivekagarwal.wordpress.com/2008/10/05/finally-seem-to-have-resolved-my-dell-latitude-d830-freeze-issue/#comment-2361 Alexandre Peshansky Fri, 02 Oct 2009 15:46:22 +0000 http://vivekagarwal.wordpress.com/?p=126#comment-2361 I have a similar (maybe even exactly the same) problem with my Dell Latitude D810. I believe it started as a extreme slow-down for a few seconds, and then, over the months, deteriorated to a complete freezes. During extreme slow-downs mouse and keyboard were unresponsive, so it was impossible to check CPU usage (once Task Manager, called during slowdown, appears, the usage is normal - several percents). The freezes typically happen during idle time (coming back to the computer I see frozen in mid-transition screen saver), but recently it started happen right when I type code. Windows XP Pro SP3, no nVidia (ATI MOBILITY RADEON X300), 2 GB RAM No unneeded services (that I can see). Does not seem to be overheating. I have a similar (maybe even exactly the same) problem with my Dell Latitude D810. I believe it started as a extreme slow-down for a few seconds, and then, over the months, deteriorated to a complete freezes. During extreme slow-downs mouse and keyboard were unresponsive, so it was impossible to check CPU usage (once Task Manager, called during slowdown, appears, the usage is normal – several percents). The freezes typically happen during idle time (coming back to the computer I see frozen in mid-transition screen saver), but recently it started happen right when I type code.
Windows XP Pro SP3, no nVidia (ATI MOBILITY RADEON X300), 2 GB RAM
No unneeded services (that I can see). Does not seem to be overheating.

]]> By: Andrew http://vivekagarwal.wordpress.com/2008/10/05/finally-seem-to-have-resolved-my-dell-latitude-d830-freeze-issue/#comment-2339 Andrew Wed, 02 Sep 2009 14:15:52 +0000 http://vivekagarwal.wordpress.com/?p=126#comment-2339 I'm having a similar problem, but on a Latitude D810. Sometimes my computer will go a whole day without freezing, sometimes only a few minutes. When it does freeze, it is completely non-responsive and I have to hard reset. The only problem is, I don"t have nVidia. A dell technician thought it had to do with my RAM, but I replaced that, and it seemed to fix it for a while, but I"m having problems again. I’m having a similar problem, but on a Latitude D810. Sometimes my computer will go a whole day without freezing, sometimes only a few minutes. When it does freeze, it is completely non-responsive and I have to hard reset. The only problem is, I don”t have nVidia. A dell technician thought it had to do with my RAM, but I replaced that, and it seemed to fix it for a while, but I”m having problems again.

]]> By: mikestam http://vivekagarwal.wordpress.com/2008/10/05/finally-seem-to-have-resolved-my-dell-latitude-d830-freeze-issue/#comment-2337 mikestam Sat, 29 Aug 2009 08:30:58 +0000 http://vivekagarwal.wordpress.com/?p=126#comment-2337 I had these problems on my Dell Latitude D830. Problem especially arise when playing video and audio files. CPU usage gooes to 100% in couple of minutes. I found solution after 2-3 motnhs and the problem seem to be in overheating cpu due to dust in cooler and especially the screws that hold the cooling plate over processor and other chips were very loose, so system was trying unsuccesfully to cool down possibly lowering cpu clock which caused cpu usage to rise very fast to 100%. I thightened the screws and problem magicaly dissapeared. I had these problems on my Dell Latitude D830. Problem especially arise when playing video and audio files. CPU usage gooes to 100% in couple of minutes. I found solution after 2-3 motnhs and the problem seem to be in overheating cpu due to dust in cooler and especially the screws that hold the cooling plate over processor and other chips were very loose, so system was trying unsuccesfully to cool down possibly lowering cpu clock which caused cpu usage to rise very fast to 100%. I thightened the screws and problem magicaly dissapeared.

]]> By: Cyberfox2004 http://vivekagarwal.wordpress.com/2008/10/05/finally-seem-to-have-resolved-my-dell-latitude-d830-freeze-issue/#comment-2334 Cyberfox2004 Sat, 15 Aug 2009 06:07:11 +0000 http://vivekagarwal.wordpress.com/?p=126#comment-2334 Glad I am not alone on this issue :) I've got a Dell Inspiron 6400 laptop with ATI Radeon Mobility X1400 working for 3 years never bothered me with single problem, I have been experiencing frequent system freezes after I installed windows 7 RC recently from microsft.com . Immediately after installed and boot up it randomly freezes, I switched back to Win XP Pro sp3, A complete reload of Win XP did not solve the problem. I then took matters into my own hands and start cleaning the fan from dust, cleaning vents and make sure all is clear. and applying Heat Sink Compound / Paste to make sure there is no any lose on processor but did not help either. So, I thought if swapping the memory card with new one and new HDD as well, but none solved the problem, It is frustrating. My laptops freezes at random times no matter what I'm doing. While these issues have been monitoring over the past weeks the frequent freezes and the constant shutdowns hit me hard and became an unacceptable part of my workday for about a weeks. It could be as soon as the laptop starting or minutes or an hours after logging in. I have no idea where to start. I've tried a disk check but it froze, I've tried a virus scan, boot repair, Bios reset, chkdsk, bootfix, none helped, Even in safe mode it freezes so I'm thinking it might be hardware, So any suggestions? 　 The laptop simply stops responding to mouse clicks & keyboard after running just fine for a few minutes or hours. The only way out is for me to hard reset the laptop It is extremely frustrating. I have run some Dell diagnostics and have not found anything wrong with hardware. I suspect the power adapter, ( Battery replaced with new one ) I believed it could be something with bad power or power management, It did not help. And I give up and called Dell support and Dell sent a technician on-site and replaced some Compoundment . technician on-site helps did not help to my previous problems and still frustration going on. I just really want to throw away the laptop and go and get another one, and then in other hand I just do not want to give up until overcome this issue and I want to be free from freezing. I came to know your website through google search for related to my issue, and excited to see these posts as I has having the same problem. My next step, I am thinking of it's graphic card ( ATI Radeon Mobility X1400 ) So any suggestions? Thank you Glad I am not alone on this issue :)
I’ve got a Dell Inspiron 6400 laptop with ATI Radeon Mobility X1400 working for 3 years never bothered me with single problem,
I have been experiencing frequent system freezes after I installed windows 7 RC recently from microsft.com .

Immediately after installed and boot up it randomly freezes, I switched back to Win XP Pro sp3, A complete reload of Win XP did not solve the problem. I then took matters into my own hands and start cleaning the fan from dust, cleaning vents and make sure all is clear. and applying Heat Sink Compound / Paste to make sure there is no any lose on processor but did not help either.

So, I thought if swapping the memory card with new one and new HDD as well, but none solved the problem, It is frustrating.

My laptops freezes at random times no matter what I’m doing. While these issues have been monitoring over the past weeks the frequent freezes and the constant shutdowns hit me hard and became an unacceptable part of my workday for about a weeks.
It could be as soon as the laptop starting or minutes or an hours after logging in.

I have no idea where to start. I’ve tried a disk check but it froze, I’ve tried a virus scan, boot repair, Bios reset, chkdsk, bootfix, none helped, Even in safe mode it freezes so I’m thinking it might be hardware, So any suggestions?
　
The laptop simply stops responding to mouse clicks & keyboard after running just fine for a few minutes or hours. The only way out is for me to hard reset the laptop It is extremely frustrating.

I have run some Dell diagnostics and have not found anything wrong with hardware. I suspect the power adapter, ( Battery replaced with new one ) I believed it could be something with bad power or power management, It did not help.

And I give up and called Dell support and Dell sent a technician on-site and replaced some Compoundment . technician on-site helps did not help to my previous problems and still frustration going on. I just really want to throw away the laptop and go and get another one, and then in other hand I just do not want to give up until overcome this issue and I want to be free from freezing.

I came to know your website through google search for related to my issue, and excited to see these posts as I has having the same problem.

My next step, I am thinking of it’s graphic card ( ATI Radeon Mobility X1400 ) So any suggestions?

Thank you

]]> By: MF http://vivekagarwal.wordpress.com/2008/10/05/finally-seem-to-have-resolved-my-dell-latitude-d830-freeze-issue/#comment-2302 MF Thu, 14 May 2009 16:33:54 +0000 http://vivekagarwal.wordpress.com/?p=126#comment-2302 Sad to report that I am running Dell Latitude 620, which does not have an Nvidia chip, but an Intel video chipset. My laptop will lock up, as described, at seemingly random intervals. The only apparently common activity is that it seems to happen more when the WiFi is running, and less often or never when plugged into a network cable. Sad to report that I am running Dell Latitude 620, which does not have an Nvidia chip, but an Intel video chipset. My laptop will lock up, as described, at seemingly random intervals. The only apparently common activity is that it seems to happen more when the WiFi is running, and less often or never when plugged into a network cable.

]]> By: Vivek Agarwal http://vivekagarwal.wordpress.com/2008/10/05/finally-seem-to-have-resolved-my-dell-latitude-d830-freeze-issue/#comment-2293 Vivek Agarwal Sat, 02 May 2009 02:24:17 +0000 http://vivekagarwal.wordpress.com/?p=126#comment-2293 John, Thanks for your updates here! I must admit that turning off Symantec and the firewall are rather drastic steps - I know that recently I have replaced Symantec with AVG given that I have not exactly been pleased with the robustness of SAV in terms of protecting against all viruses. Recently we had seen issues with SAV detecting some of the trojans whereas AVG seems to do better. I would imagine that you reintroduce some anti-virus solution at some point. In the seven months since this blog entry, I have probably had my laptop freeze 2 or 3 times, and those were with different symptoms. So, it would appear that I was lucky enough to resolve my issues with the above mentioned solution, but this does not appear to do it for all folks. :( All the best, Vivek. John,

Thanks for your updates here! I must admit that turning off Symantec and the firewall are rather drastic steps – I know that recently I have replaced Symantec with AVG given that I have not exactly been pleased with the robustness of SAV in terms of protecting against all viruses. Recently we had seen issues with SAV detecting some of the trojans whereas AVG seems to do better.

I would imagine that you reintroduce some anti-virus solution at some point. In the seven months since this blog entry, I have probably had my laptop freeze 2 or 3 times, and those were with different symptoms. So, it would appear that I was lucky enough to resolve my issues with the above mentioned solution, but this does not appear to do it for all folks. :(

All the best, Vivek.

]]> By: John Chambers http://vivekagarwal.wordpress.com/2008/10/05/finally-seem-to-have-resolved-my-dell-latitude-d830-freeze-issue/#comment-2292 John Chambers Sat, 02 May 2009 02:16:49 +0000 http://vivekagarwal.wordpress.com/?p=126#comment-2292 No freeze today, good news to report. John No freeze today, good news to report.

John

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