Sleep issue

Running Windows 7 x64 Ultimate - 17xr3, 3D display (120hz panel) 460M running 280.26

I've got an issue where I close the lid on my laptop and it goes to sleep but when I reopen the lid, the laptop powers back up, keyboard lights up and the screen flashes on but immediately turns back off never to be turned on again. In addition the keyboard doesn't seem to be sending commands to Windows (the caps lock/num lock LEDs turn off/on but things like the function keys to change the display, turn off/on alienFX and even eject the disc have no response). Windows IS still running in the background because I can hear sound effects from things like mail and IM. The laptop is plugged in the entire time so it's not trying to go into hibernate/deep sleep (which are turned off anyway) or some sort of lower power issue.

The only way to get around this is to do a hard reset on the laptop and reboot. It doesn't happen everytime. I seem to have about a 1 in 10 chance of it happening.

Anybody else having this problem? Any possible solutions to try? I've exhausted about everything I can think to search for on Google.

 

1. Bios up to date?
2. might have to reinstall os.
3. If not, Mobo problem. I had this problem with the M15x. I know what you mean.

If all this doesnt work, get a loud alarm clock next to it. It will surely wake up alright.

 

Same exact issue here. Went back to standard Dell site drivers and all perfect.

Never did update the bios as above poster suggested?

 

I updated to A05 after having this problem with A04 but that didn't resolve it. I s'pose I could update to A08 but I don't see anything in the list of fixes that would apply here.

This was a fresh install of Win 7 Ultimate.

I read elsewhere that the network drivers might be the culprit (don't let the computer power them down for power save mode) and am trying that now.
EDIT - That didn't work. (Although that's good because doing that made the WiFi card not re-connect right away when coming out of sleep).

Also discovered the keyboard DOES work when the laptop gets into this condition. I was able to eject and insert discs and brighten and darken the black screen, so the screen is on it just doesn't display anything. Trying to switch between monitors (Fn+F6) and the I/O GFX (Fn+F7) has no effect. Also I have my power button set to actually power the laptop off. Pressing this doesn't do that. (Stuck driver maybe?).

I also checked the events log in the Control Panel but there are no errors there either.

My suspicion right now is the Alienware on screen display driver...