Problem with Dell 1720

Just received my Dell 1720, and as I'm trying to install various programs the laptop keeps rebooting on me, once I received the BSOD.

Chatting with Dell Tech Support they've recommend I attempt to install in safe mode, and although this really doesn't seem like it will make a difference, I'm attempting it now.

Does anyone know of any common issues associated with this laptop, or well known fixes for similar problems?

I can't really say whether or not the act of installing software is what is causing the problem, as that's pretty much all I've been doing since I received it.

 

dont have a problem with mines. did you check your temps? i'm running it on a cooler though.

 

Overheating is something I considered, but as I'm rather new to Dell Laptops and Windows Vista, I'm not really sure how to check the operating temperature.

Edit: I will say that the air coming from the laptop is quite warm.

 

google intel thermal analysis. download, install and see if they're over 60c

 

Hmm... I found the tool, but when I run it, it pops up for a second and is gone. Is this a command line only app?

Edit: Nevermind, it just wouldn't run in Safe Mode. At the moment, in "balanced" power mode, I'm seeing temps of 52 and 54 on the two cores.

ACPI Thermal Zone Temp is 58 C, no idea what that is though.

 

Ok, I've been monitoring the temperatures while installing Oblivion, and they did go up as high as 66c. I reset the power mode back to "balanced" and it throttled the CPU Speeds down to 1600 MHz (2200 MHz is max) and the temp dropped.

Is this to be expected in performance mode, or should I be contacting support for some repairs?

If it's expected, then would a cooling pad be enough to mitigate the problem?


EDIT:
Well, I just had a crash while monitoring core temperatures, and they were at 45 and 47 degrees. I'm starting to think it may not be a heat issue.

 

Well, since I'm out of ideas, and the Dell pre-boot diagnostic tool came back clean, i'm just going to try out a full reinstall (as detailed in the sticky at top).

Wish me luck.

 

66c is too hot for a mobile cpu. people already worried when their video card reaches this temp lol

 

Yeah, I'm not going to run in performance mode until I pick up a cooling pad.. probably tomorrow.

 

does your fan hit high speeds?

i would recommend checking that the fan works.

insert your Dell Drivers & Diagnostics CD. then restart the computer.

press F12 to boot from CD/DVD. and then run a custom test on the fan.

just to make sure that your fan is working. I had similar problems to yours and it was because my fan was dead.

good luck

 

Did you reinstall windows vista yourself?

Then that would explain everything, try installing vista but this time use the matrix storage sata drivers from dell while installing your computer..