Dell XPS 140/630m locking up

I bought an Inspiron 630m back in November from Dell UK. It was fine to start, but recently it's locking up a lot. It first started happening when I'd leave it on as I worked away from it, coming back to find it had frozen. Then it started becoming more common. It locked up during a game, a couple of times during web surfing, then while transfering files from a CD. Today I just tried three times to copy a CD of MP3s and it had locked up three times in a row, needing me to push the power button in.

I began removing the pre-installed clutter, more or less leaving just the essentials. I did notice an absurd number of processes running though, even when I'd just started it up and not actually opened any applications. Do people think doing a clean install would solve this? How hard is it going to be for me to getting things back like the McAffee anti-virus that was already on there? I've run virus checks, ad-ware removers, disk clean up and fragmentation, all the usual clea up things, yet the freezing seems to be getting worse, not better.

Any suggestions?

 

Have you tried doing a memory test? Try memtest86. I don't know if it will solve it but have you tried increasing your virtual memory? How much RAM does your computer have?

 

It has 768mb (1x512 and 1x256). I'll have to try running that, as I'd really like to avoid re-installing everything if I could, I'm not much good at things like that, always end up with things not working right.

 

If I were you, I would work this problem step-by-step.

First, it wouldn't hurt to run the Dell PC-Check UP, located ---> http://pccheckup.dellfix.com/rel/?ra...81564199045297

Second, also run the Dell Crash Analysis Tool. It can be found ---> http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/download.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=gen&releaseid=R88759&formatcnt=1&fileid=115771

If these test out OK, then download and run RegScrubXP, located here --> http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=2048

I personally use System Mechanic 6 (trial version) -- wonderful piece of software

If problem still happens, then do a clean install, which will surely fix the problem (as long as it's not hardware causing the issue. You are like the 2-3rd person to report problems with freezes with the XPS 140, in the past week....

You migh also want to take a look at the "How to optimize your Notebook" thread --> http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=5787

 

Thank you very very much!

 

Okay.

The Dell PC check up picked up on three things. 1. Was my speakers were set too low (huh?), and it fixed that. I had several programs in the start menu that no longer existed, it fixed that, and also did not have the most update to date java, it fixed that.

The crash anayalsys found two possible driver problems. One was something with Zone Alarm, the other was tfsnifs.sys, which I read is to do with the DVD writing software that coems with the laptop? I can't find a fix for that one though.

 

In your first post, you said, quote "....a couple of times during web surfing, then while transfering files from a CD. Today I just tried three times to copy a CD of MP3s and it had locked up three times in a row..."

I'm 99% sure that it is your CD drive that's causing this problem... so..

What is the make and model of you CD-RW/DVD ? You can use the Device Manager to find this info...

- If it is "Philips SCB5265 slim 24x combo", then go here.. http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/download.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&releaseid=R113611&SystemID=XPS_M140&os=WW1&osl=en&deviceid=9227&devlib=0&typecnt=1&vercnt=1&formatcnt=1&fileid=149155 and download the firmware. (READ all the instructions FIRST)
This is a new firmware, released December 13th, and it might include a fix for this issue.....

If it is Philips, and you installed the new firmware...try to burn/copy/use your CD-DVD drive...and see if it still locks up...

 

I've checked the DVD drive and it looks to be an NEC one. I had another lock up when browsing the web, with no CD or DVD in. I'm getting reallt frustrated, it's less than two months old. I'm going to run the dell diagnostics during the boot up, see what that turns up. Then I'm going to try restoring to factory settings, as this only started happening in the last two or three weeks. A restore isn't a huge problem as all I've installed are Zone Alarm, Itunes and 3 games, so no loss. My worry about a clean install is being left missing drivers and software.

 

Since the Dell Crash Tool said something about ZoneAlarm, try disabling it temporarly, and use Windows Firewall instead. (And make sure that ZoneAlarm is up-to-date).

Check Event Viewer for list of possible errors under "System" and "Application" sections . Like in this Event Viewer (notice the Errors and Warnings circuled in red.



It would be great if you could provide a snapshot of all the events...(today's events)

Good luck...

 

There are a LOT of those userenv warnings showing up, but they don't seem to match the time of the freezes. There's one error, and that was a dchp. The system list seems free of errors or warnings over the last couple of days atleast

 

What about Information warnings called "Save Dump"? (Btw, picture is not showing up)

That would be a good idea...

I kind'a ran out of ideas myself. I'm really sorry I couldn't be of more help...

 

I don't see any save dump warnings..

 

That's good then.. They are created when Windows experience STOPs.(Blue screens of death)

 

I'll see what the diagnostics finds and come back. It will have to wait til tomorrow though. Thank you for all your help so far.

 

Good luck..

... I'm sorry that I wasn't able to help you.

 

An update.

I ran the diagnostic tools, both express test and full tests, which found NO problems. I managed to back up four DVDs of MP3 fils using the Sonic burning software, no problems. Today I power up and browse the net for a bit, within ten minutes it freezes. I was just wondering.. I have a program in there called Dell OS Recovery CD.. I take it this will just burn me a Windows installation DVD? Is the re a restore to factory settings option somewhere? I've looked at Dell UK's website to try and ask for them to send me the pre-installed software but it's impossible to navigate. The only email address if for roder status queries.