Alienware 18 keeps shutting down: possible overheating or failing hard drive

First off I would like to say Hi, I'm new so please don't rip my jugular out. Second, this all started after I installed Just Cause 3 and it didn't run that well on my laptop as I anticipated(I have GTA 5 on max settings and get a solid 60) it froze for a long time and i had to hold the power button to turn it off(probably another name for that but like I said, I'm new) now this might have hit the HD to hard and since thiis happened my computer has randomly rebooted itself and if it doesn't fail and reboot till it blue screens, it will take a long time to load my desktop. I called Alienware tech support and they said the cpu might be overheating. Now I my warrenty has already expired so I must extend it and potentially send it in. However, I wanted to ask for as much help as I can get. Is this treatable without having to send it in? I've thought about backing up my hard drive and factory reset it but I don't know if that will fix it.
My Specs:
OS Name Microsoft Windows 8.1
Version 6.3.9600 Build 9600
Other OS Description Not Available
OS Manufacturer Microsoft Corporation
System Name MULCAHY
System Manufacturer Alienware
System Model Alienware 18
System Type x64-based PC
System SKU Alienware 18
Processor Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4710MQ CPU @ 2.50GHz, 2501 Mhz, 4 Core(s), 8 Logical Processor(s)
BIOS Version/Date Alienware A12
SMBIOS Version 2.7
Embedded Controller Version 1.01
BIOS Mode UEFI
BaseBoard Manufacturer Alienware
BaseBoard Model Not Available
BaseBoard Name Base Board
Platform Role Mobile
Secure Boot State On
PCR7 Configuration Binding Not Possible
Windows Directory C:\Windows
System Directory C:\Windows\system32
Boot Device \Device\HarddiskVolume1
Locale United States
Hardware Abstraction Layer Version = "6.3.9600.17196"
Time Zone Eastern Daylight Time
Installed Physical Memory (RAM) 8.00 GB
Total Physical Memory 7.92 GB
Available Physical Memory 3.31 GB
Total Virtual Memory 15.9 GB
Available Virtual Memory 9.76 GB
Page File Space 8.00 GB
Page File C:\pagefile.sys
Hyper-V - VM Monitor Mode Extensions Yes
Hyper-V - Second Level Address Translation Extensions Yes
Hyper-V - Virtualization Enabled in Firmware Yes
Hyper-V - Data Execution Protection Yes

I once again state that I'm new here and appreciate any help.

With Repect,
Dave

 

First let's try running the dell diagnostics. Keep hitting f12 when you turn it on and then choose the diagnostics from the options. Run a thorough diagnostics and see if it passes and also make note of the temps when it finishes. If all seems wel then post back and I'll see if I can help any further. Long desktop loads and random lock ups can be many things. In my experience it usually ends up being a bad hdd. But it really can be several different things.

 

I ran ePSA and all segments passed. The primary battery thermistor kept a current 32 degrees Celsius and a high of 33. the CPU external thermal sensor went up and down a little at 60 degrees Celsius and a high of 69. VIDEO external thermal sensor kept around 49 degrees Celsius and a high of 55. VIDEO external thermal sensor 2 went through the 40s and had a high of 54. Since then my PC hasn't randomly shut down and is running fine. I'll post again if it does it again. Thanks for the help!

 

yeah, like what pathfindercord says. A freezing system can be many factors from software/application to hardware.

But typically from what I learn, software issues such as a GPU driver failure would cause a Blue Screen.

Whereas, freezing computer usually could mean the motherboard is going to die soon, hard drive failure, ram failure or CPU Failure.

However, since all your tests have pass, have you tried thorough test mode or did you allow the diagnostics to perform more tests*?

If all tests are still passed, that means it could be possible that your motherboard is malfunctioning.

*When the memory is being tested, after a few minutes when there is no issue, it would print a message saying "No problems have been found so far, do you want to continue running more tests? (30 minutes or more)"

 

I ran the extended test which took about 4-5 hours and everything passed. I haven't encountered any issues since then. I'll reply if it happens again. Thanks!

 

I have a similar issue with my Alienware 18!! Whenever I disconnect the power and turn on the laptop, it either shuts down before it even gets past windows, or it gets to windows and you try to do anything and it freezes! It works fine when connected to ac though!!

 

Not sure if this applies to AW18, but on some laptops, this is a symptom of running Nvidia's new 361.xx drivers when booted on battery. Works fine if booted on AC.

Did you update to Nvidia driver 361.xx ? If so try moving back to 359.00/06/12, whatever was good before for you.

Not sure what the trigger is, as some laptops boot on 361.xx on battery aok.

If I switch to Intel GPU before booting on battery, everything is stable on my MSI GT80.

When I boot on battery on 361.43 the Nvidia display driver restarts every 30 seconds or so; screen goes black for a few seconds, then I get the display driver restarted message, a few seconds of good behaviour, then it starts all over again.

 

Ok, ill try to return to my previous driver and ill let you know how it goes!! Thanks!

 

The most recent problems I have encountered are when I unplug my AC and boot up without it plugged in. Yes I have read what's above, but after analyzing the crash .dmp files I have noticed different causes of the crash there were 2 for the 3 times it has happened. They are: 1st crash fwpkclnt.sys and ntoskrnl.exe, second crash ntoskrnl.exe and partmgr.sys, and for the third crash ntoskrnl.exe and nvlddmkm.sys. I'm gonna try downgrading drivers.

 

After I went back to my original graphics drivers, it has turned on and not froze when doing stuff!!! So thanks heaps hmscott!!!

 

Interesting, I think AW18 also have an issues when it is on battery with 361.43 drivers, I am getting BSOD in this case after few minutes of browsing.

 

NGREEDIA GeFarts drivers seem to just be getting worse and worse all the time. They don't have to care because they have zero competition. Being the only game in town is really bad for consumers. I hope it bites 'em in the butt one of these days. There's always a remote chance AMD might surprise us and do something amazing in MXM and turn their slimy green world on its head.