Vostro 1320: Random reboots and freezes

I'm currently having odd freeze/reboot issues with my Dell Vostro 1320. I will get the sound of connecting and disconnecting a USB device repeatedly and rapidly, followed by a freeze. I also get random reboots.

I've done a clean reformat and installation/update of Windows XP. I've also run CHKDSK and memtest86+ and found nothing. That pretty much is the limit of my knowledge as far as cheap/easy things to do.

Has anyone else experienced similar issues?

Thanks!

 

Did you try running Dell Diagnostics?

 

Hi,

Thanks for your response.
Just installed and ran the latest Dell Diagnostic from the support website. Found two issues that do not appear to be pertinent:
1) CPU Fan low setting speed was too high (I believe 4600rpm instead of 40% above the threshold 3200rpm, which is pretty negligible anyways)
2) DVD-RW drive: no readable media found (I didn't have a CD in the drive)

I didn't bother with the memory diagnostic because I've physically ruled it out by swapping the memory from this laptop with another (working) laptop.

I'm thinking of swapping the hard drives as well to rule this out. Any ideas?

 

You said you get the sound of USB device. Do you have a USB device connected? I have seen defective USB devices lock up Windows.

Are you installing Windows XP SP2 or SP3?

 

There is a USB mouse connected. This is on a fresh install of XP SP2, then updated to SP3 along with all recommended fixes and updates.

Could this be related to the SmartCard reader (that thing that reads camera memory cards)? I usually don't install drivers for it because it used to mess up the Windows install.

 

Given the USB sounds, remove the mouse and see how it goes. Perhaps its cable/connector is faulty.

I would also run the full Diagnostics.

An uninstalled device that is not critical to the system should just remain disabled in Device Manager. You can probably right-click to disable it fully.

GK

 

Okay, will do. The problem only happens on occasion, so I can't guarantee it'll happen anytime soon. Does swapping with another mouse and using a different USB port work? It's my wife's laptop and she hates using the touchpad.

Also, I've disabled the uninstalled card reader under Device Manager.

 

Yeah, that might prove something... if the trouble stops after switching to another mouse in another port, then you can suspect the previous mouse and port. Next, put the new mouse in the old port.

Got any cats that like to chew on cords?

GK

 

No cats, only the two mice

I'll post an update in a few days if every goes smoothly, or sooner if problem still persists.

 

Argh, still have the same problem. I thought it had gone away for a few days, but it returned today with a vengeance. Went through two bouts today where the same cycle of USB detected/removed sounds followed by a reboot started immediately after the last reboot. This was with all USB devices removed.

I did notice one time that there was also the "Detected new hardware" icon in the system tray and it was for the "Mass Storage Controller" - I believe this is the O2Micro OZH24 SD/MMC Host Controller, but I'd already disabled this anyways.