Did I get a lemon, or are BSOD's normal?

Hi everyone.

I just got my m17x (R2 i think. Not sure, but it's the newest model), and the first thing i did when i took it out of the box was run the windows experience index to see what it would rate. It got to Direct3D 10 testing, froze, and threw a BSOD. This has happened every time I've tried the experience index rating, expect for one time when it somehow made it through. I've attached a picture of the BSOD screen. I will upload the dump too.

I also got a BSOD when i tried to watch my first youtube video. The blue screen was really small and in the center of the screen.

It's weird because the laptop runs Dolphin (the wii/gc emulator) without a hitch. I think that is directx 9 based though.

So my question is, is all of this normal? are these BSODs caused by poorly made drivers, or is there something wrong hardware wise?

If you guys think that I may have received a lemon, what should I do? I just got it in the mail on monday, so should I return it no questions ask and start the process again? Or should I call alienware and tell them the problem so that they can fix it? I read somewhere that once you get a lemon, it will never work without a hiccup again.


Please help me as soon as you can. I'd like to call alienware today to start whatever process is necessary to get me a computer worth the amount I paid.

Hardware:
720 QM
Crossfire 5870

Drivers:
Factory installed threw the first BSOD
I then updated to all the latest on dells site. BSOD happens reguardless.

 

I would call them up, now, and request return or exchange.
You have 21 days to return it.They may want you to let them remote repair it, let them try. You got something going on not right. My first one R1 BSOD alot got this one R2 I am sure yours is an R2 you got I5 or I7 cpu right. Would help if you posted specs

 

Ksonic1055,

Before you totally freak out, remove the bottom service panel and reseat both memory modules. Most BSOD errors are caused by memory 'issues'.

Best guess is that one of the modules may have been jarred loose during shipment.

If that doesn't resolve the issue, there is a chance that one of the modules could be defective. To test that remove each of the modules individually testing in between... That will tell you which one.

If you do have a defective one just give tech support a call, explain to them that you've done the above and they will send you a replacement module overnight.

As for the 'if I have a problem out of the box it's always a lemon' I completely disagree...

I had an old Area-51 m15x and had issues with it out of the box. It went into their service center in Houston twice shortly after I purchased it due to various issues. I still have the machine - my family uses it. Since it was repaired it's been 100% rock solid and worked perfectly. That's what actually prompted me to get another Alienware. I've never had very good luck with any other PC brand except them.

If you need further help either post here or PM me. I'm actually a computer service technician by trade.

 

Looks like it's ATI driver related. Same type of BSOD when switching to non-Dell drivers. Are you running the stock drivers? Try reinstalling them. There is also the Dell diagnostics disc (boot from recovery DVD) that will let you run a hardware check on your GPUs.

 

Okay guys I reseated the memory, but it still bsods during the experience index.

I have the default driver installed. The first time I ran experience index rating it bsodd. That was with everything stock, nothing at all added. I installed newer drivers from dells site but it didn't fix it.

I am running the extended diagnostic test from the dell disc right now. If I don't find a hardware error, I'm returning the computer because I know that dell will tell me its fine if I try to get it repaired. By that time my 21 days will be up. If there is a GPU error, ill have them fix it because I know that the video cards are not integrated.

Sound like a plan? Or is there anything else I should do first?

 

You're all wrong. This is how you deal with BSOD's

 

Ksonic1055,

Did you try testing the memory modules individually? Bad RAM isn't that uncommon.

There's one final thing to try...

Follow these instructions to run Check Disk. If something went wrong while imaging your machine something in the file system could be crashing you:

How to use CHKDSK (Check Disk) - Windows 7

 

Now thats an odd tattoo.

 

a once in a great while BSOD is normal and could have millions of potential causes. But frequent BSDOs on a new system that's not attempting any heavy tasks and in a normal ambient environment is not.

Call Dell support!

 

Called dell and they are going to build and send me a brand new computer. When I get the new one, I can send the old one back. This is great! This way I wont have to take any leaps of faith

Thanks everyone! For the moment, this is officially SOLVED. Keeping my fingers crossed though- hopefully my new one will be flawless.

 

I had my first bsod last night, I opened the system from hibernate and clicked on computer and nothing.....then a little blue screen, im a little worried so im going to call dell and report the action.

 

The only BSOD's I've had have been either related to too much CPU OC or to a certain ATI driver version (forget which one).

I can run my CPU at 3.5GHz for most stuff, but it will eventually crash if i play a game. 3.33 is rock solid though.

 

Just as a note to those wondering:

The occasional BSOD is nothing to worry about. It is more than likely a rare software malfunction if it's just a one off and it doesn't repeat itself. For example, I usually get one or two BSODs a month, each one completely unrelated and not a single one repeating itself.

However, frequent BSODs, particularly if it's BSODing consistently attempting the same task, does indicate a problem, either serious software or hardware issues.

 

well, my R1 would get BSOD's from unstable overclocking and that was it, but nothing from an open lid from hibernate state or just random BSOD. So I ask this with respect, why is the occasional BSOD nothing to worry about, to me it doesnt seem like a normal operation for a computer.