XPS 1330 random blank screen and system halt / freeze...

I've been encountering for the past few weeks now, and I've tried a number of things without success, so I'm looking for some assistance or advice as to a resolution.

ISSUE: Randomly, my laptop stops working. It doesn't shut down exactly, it still has power (numeral light still on / fan working), however, the screen is blank and if I press the eject button on the control strip, the CD doesn't try to eject anything and simply flashes. It occurs almost without fail, after the computer has cooled down (overnight or for a few hours).

FIX ATTEMPTS: I thought it may have been the video driver, so I have tested a new version (NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GS) and removing it altogether (defaulting to the standard VGA driver), but the problem still exists. I've also just (yesterday) reinstalled the OS (Windows 7 Professional 64 bit) from scratch... but this morning, the laptop shutdown after logging in and within 20 seconds.

I have tried Alt-F4 to try to shut the laptop down manually. I'm yet to try the "Sticky Keys" option (left Shift key multiple times), but I don't think it responds to anything. I have to press the power button for 6 seconds, to shut the laptop down completely, and then power it up again. It works fine (no shutdowns) in "Safe Mode with Networking" (I haven't tried anything else), but this is no good, since the Audio and other functionality is disabled in "Safe Mode".

SYSTEM: Dell XPS M1330, approximately 5 years old, so well out of warranty. 4GB RAM, 120 GB SSD (OCZ Vertex 3), Core2Duo [email protected], Windows 7 Professional 64bit.

Has anyone else encountered this problem? I've tried searching online, but most people's symptom are that the laptop shuts down completely and/or restarts automatically. Mine doesn't shutdown, but it doesn't respond either!

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. Thank you. :thumbsup:

 

Do you have the Nvidia GPU? If you do, I'm 99% sure that's your problem.

 

Yes. NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GS. So is there a solution? A new motherboard? If you're only 99% sure, then what is the other 1% that it could be. It's weird that it only occurs when the computer is COLD. So it's not an overheating problem. And can work fine (as it is now) for the majority of the time... until it randomly goes blank.

 

Yeah, you need a new motherboard. There are slim chances it could be stuff like failing RAM or HDD, but it's very unlikely. The Nvidia GPUs in this generation are known to be defective, and they'll all eventually crap out. Hence, if you're going to change the board, you should consider getting the Intel board.

 

Thanks CW - but I'm still not convinced. Firstly, it boots fine from a cold start (shutdown overnight) running in Safe Mode With Networking without failing. I've just tested this and I'm still running in Safe Mode. If it was a GPU issue, then it shouldn't matter what mode of Windows I'm running in - the GPU is still being accessed to display video. Therefore, I'm suspicious it's a driver issue or combination of drivers and/or software.

Has anyone else experienced this problem or is it just me? I started around the 25/26th March 2013.

My next option will be to down-grade to Windows XP rather than running Windows 7. Although I only have a 32 bit version so my RAM will be capped.

I've contacted Dell Technical Support here in NZ and they advised it sounded like the GPU. They must have heard of this problem before... surprise surprise. The motherboard was replaced in 2009 when the screen displayed the typical colorful vertical lines. If it is the GPU failing yet again and it does require a new motherboard, then surely Dell would be responsible since they've obviously replaced a faulty motherboard with another faulty motherboard. Dell Sales still have stock available and advised a new one would cost $NZ472.09 (yes, to the cent!) - at this price, I'd be better to go and buy a brand new Acer or Toshiba or Lenovo or HP i3 variant and get 2 years warranty. I've seen replacement motherboards on eBay and online for as little as $US150.

 

Trust me, these are all symptomatic of the GPU failure in its early stages. You should not replace the motherboard with another Nvidia motherboard unless you want to replace it again in the future.

 

Had a look online for a few more "black screen of death" and saw references to the Event Viewer and the following:
"The speed of processor 1 in group 0 is being limited by system firmware. The processor has been in this reduced performance state for 16 seconds since the last report."

I've seen these warnings in the Event logs as well, and after disabling "Dynamic Acceleration" and "Speedstep" in the BIOS, I haven't had a problem all day.

I'll test it in the morning (after it's been shutdown overnight) and see if it shuts down.

 

Well I tested it with both the Speedstep and Dynamic Acceleration turned off. Same problem starting Windows... so I've taken your advice (CW) and ordered a replacement GM848 (Intel version) motherboard and heatsink assembly.

I've picked one up from AliExpress, so when it arrives, I'll let you know the outcome. I'll post some links once it's been installed and tested.