M6400 Problems

thanks for the link,... just checked it out.

I thought you had meant, there was a "very specific order" as to which driver to install first, like video driver has to be downloaded before audio or something like that...

 

I have the basic limited warranty (assuming you mean the cheapest warranty available for business class notebook). It's U.S. based.

 

bunta,

There is a specific order. I cut and pasted from the link.

1. Desktop System Software (DSS) or Notebook System Software (NSS) - A vital utility that provides critical updates and patches for the operating system. If you are reinstalling Windows or updating all drivers, it is important that this software be installed first. Currently, the DSS and NSS are not required for computers with Windows Vista®. This is located under the System and Configuration Utilities Category on the Drivers and Downloads page.

2. Chipset - Helps Windows control system board components and controllers. This is located under the Chipset Category on the Drivers and Downloads page.

3. Video Adapter - Enhances video performance. This is located under the Video Adapter Category on the Drivers and Downloads page.

4. Network Interface Card (NIC) - Enhances the network controller for Internet or network access. This is located under the Network Category on the Drivers and Downloads page.

5. Audio Adapter - Enables and enhances the audio controller. This is located under the Audio Category on the Drivers and Downloads page.

6. Modem - Allows dial-up capability. This is located under the Communication Category on the Drivers and Downloads page.

7. Wireless Network Card - Enables and enhances the wireless network controller. This is located under the Network Category on the Drivers and Downloads page.

8. Touchpad, Pointer, Trackstick, Mice, and Keyboards - Enhances the pointing device features. This is located under the Mouse & Keyboards Category on the Drivers and Downloads page.

9. Other Devices

* Bluetooth® Module located under the Communication Category on the Drivers and Downloads page
* Dell Wireless Mobile Broadband Cards located under the Communication Category on the Drivers and Downloads page
* PCMCIA/Smartcard controller located under the Security Category on the Drivers and Downloads page

 

And what happens if you were to install the chipset driver last..?

Slower boot times perhaps?

 

After reading your problems with the “random hard-locks” I felt the need to contribute to your thead because I have similar problems. In addition to random hard-locks, I have stalled shutdowns. I’v spent many hours trying to isolate the problem. Just so you know, I have contacted Dell’s tech support and after running diagnostic tests, they do not know what could be wrong.

Regarding the stalled shutdowns, here’s what I’ve found:
Stalled shutdown appeared random but I found that if I turn off Windows Indexing, most of the time I don’t have the problem. However, I still occasionally (so far one time a day, at least every day that I’ve used the computer) have a stalled shutdown. So far, I’ve found this problem to be linked to two possibly separate actions.

1) if I put my computer to sleep or hibernate, then, after waking computer and normal use, shutdown occasionally stalls.

2) if a program crashes or does not shutdown completely the system will definitely stall during shutdown. If I can find the offending Service running when I know it should’ve been stopped, I can stop the service and the consistency of the stall is decreased.

For example, if I open Excel and it crashes during opening (a strange random problem in itself) I consistently find an Excel Service running even after shutting down Excel. If I shut down the computer without finding and shutting down the offending Service, the system will stall during shutdown.

With regards to hard-locks where my mouse freezes and my only option is the on/off button, I found I could replicate this problem if I put my system to sleep while I was running Safari, while on battery power awake the computer and mouse would freeze after about 30 seconds of use, for about 5 seconds, mouse would then move for about 1 second, then totally freeze.So, I simply don’t put my computer to sleep while running Safari.

I still do get the occasional mouse freeze, but it is generally infrequent.

 

After reading your problems with the “random hard-locks” I felt the need to contribute to your thead because I have similar problems. In addition to random hard-locks, I have stalled shutdowns. I’v spent many hours trying to isolate the problem. Just so you know, I have contacted Dell’s tech support and after running diagnostic tests, they do not know what could be wrong.

Regarding the stalled shutdowns, here’s what I’ve found:
Stalled shutdown appeared random but I found that if I turn off Windows Indexing, most of the time I don’t have the problem. However, I still occasionally (so far one time a day, at least every day that I’ve used the computer) have a stalled shutdown. So far, I’ve found this problem to be linked to two possibly separate actions.

1) if I put my computer to sleep or hibernate, then, after waking computer and normal use, shutdown occasionally stalls.

2) if a program crashes or does not shutdown completely the system will definitely stall during shutdown. If I can find the offending Service running when I know it should’ve been stopped, I can stop the service and the consistency of the stall is decreased.

For example, if I open Excel and it crashes during opening (a strange random problem in itself) I consistently find an Excel Service running even after shutting down Excel. If I shut down the computer without finding and shutting down the offending Service, the system will stall during shutdown.

With regards to hard-locks where my mouse freezes and my only option is the on/off button, I found I could replicate this problem if I put my system to sleep while I was running Safari, while on battery power awake the computer and mouse would freeze after about 30 seconds of use, for about 5 seconds, mouse would then move for about 1 second, then totally freeze.So, I simply don’t put my computer to sleep while running Safari.

I still do get the occasional mouse freeze, but it is generally infrequent.

 

I've seen the issue with the WiFi light not coming on as well. However, I've seen it on previous Dell systems too. Given I've done a complete reinstall I'm not too worried about it. It'll be a driver issue.

Regarding the volume: Yes, the covet does show this like previous Dells. Sounds like some drivers haven't been installed.

 

I have the same problem, hardlock and grafical error. Tomorrow the will change the FX3700M, I hope that helps. How did you solve your problem?

I tried many drivers, from the original Dell to the laptopvideo drivers.

mfg
Dirk

 

On my Covet -- I did a complete re-install of everything -- in the exact order specified in the various dell on-line tech bulletins --

Since I loaded the 180.48 NVidia driver - I suffered a total of 1 BSOD in the past 3 weeks. No hardlocks - no graphics errors, etc.

Not sure why -- but all is good. Running Vista 64, 8GB Ram, 128GB SSD, FX3700, QX9300 - Paging file turned off (don't need it with 8GB ram) - Windows indexing turned off (resource HOG), All the latest dell drivers and applications.

 

Hallo Forum,

today the technican was here and switched the FX3700M. I had luck and the error happend during the technican was testing. Dell planed to change several other components.

But after a short talk, they decided to swap the system. I hope the new system works without problems.

mfg
Dirk