Hi

I've been using my Dell laptop for over 18 months now and just recently it started becoming really unresponsive in Windows 7.

After restarting it it started crashing every time once windows 7 almost finished loading when it gets to the desktop screen and is loading the icons and system tray etc.

I took it to a computer shop because I thought it may be heat issues, as it is a relatively high spec laptop in a relatively small shell and does get hot. The guys at the shop cleaned took parts out of it and cleaned the massive amounts of dust it had collected out of it (i always use a tray and never put it on a bed or carpet).

After they did that they ran heat tests etc and it worked fine for a few days so I thought problem solved. Then yesterday it started doing the exact same thing!

I restarted the computer in safe mode and started disabling a lot of drivers and startup software to see if that would help. I noticed after disabling a bunch of startup programs it started working again. Since then I've slowly started enabling different ones to see what the cause is. I enabled "dropbox" and "bluetooth software" last night and it started crashing again. BUT after disabling them again in safe mode the crashing was STILL happening. So this is what is confusing now.

I left my laptop off and went to sleep and got up this morning and it started up fine.
I'm using it right now.

So initially I thought it has to be a hardware issue and then a software issue but now I'm not sure.

You should probably check for and eliminate the possibility of incorrect, corrupted, changed, or damaged versions of W7 system files.


Click ‘Start’ button.

In the Start Menu search box area, type cmd and press CTRL+SHIFT+ENTER (to access elevated administrator rights).

Run the following ‘System File Checker’ command at the command prompt:

SFC /scannow

(Note the space before the /.)

I've just done that but I don't really understand what's supposed to have happened, or what to do next

Actually it's scanning now, sorry

It said "Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity vilations"

I've just noticed something actually. I started it up just now and it was crashing, and I left it and it actually started responding. So it seems to hang or a good 2-3 minutes before becoming responsive again.

Could that be a heat issue?

Originally Posted by omid

I started it up just now and it was crashing, and I left it and it actually started responding.

Could that be a heat issue?

It could be a complicating issue, I suppose. Are you able to track operating temps if your PC remains stable long enough? Suggest you try:

HWMONITOR: CPUID - System & hardware benchmark, monitoring, reporting



Event viewer may be able to provide clues as to what may be going on in your computer. Read the tutorial and concentrate on recent errors:

How To Use Event Viewer

NOTE: You can apply filters for 'event level' (such as ERROR) and/or time frame (options on right-hand side).

Operating temperatures seem fine, everything is between 40-55 Celcius

Will try the event viewer when i have more time

thanks

Dell PC needs its own chipset driver very much.

I would suggest visit the Dell web site and download the latest chipset driver and must restart the computer after installing the chipset driver.

Seems the other device drivers for Windows 7 are not working nicely and need the chipset driver to better control the IRQ and resource allocations.

Hope this helps!
Bill
Tech Manager

Dell PC needs its own chipset driver very much.

Here are links that I believe PcTestCard is referring to:

• XPS 1640: Drivers & Downloads
  
• Intel PM45 Express Chipset Family (v8.7 -> v9.1): Drivers and Downloads

If you wish, you can run a diagnostic at PCPITSTOP that would identitify which specific drivers and other [often optional] issues that may warrant your attention (you will likely need to run your browser with admin privileges = right click on app/icon and select 'Run as administrator'):

• Welcome to PC PitStop!