Weird problem with e1520

I just got my new laptop the other day and have already had this happen a few times.

Every once in a while (always when I'm on IE or Firefox), my laptop will freeze up and then the screen goes crazy. It becomes filled with a bunch of lines of color that move around.

I turned off the computer, and when I restarted it happened again. So, I restarted in safe mode and went to Firefox. It asked me about restoring my session and I noticed I had a download going. I closed it and then restarted the pc normally and everything was fine.

I just turned on my computer and the same problem occurred, but this time with no FF or IE running at all. I restarted again and when Windows asked if I wanted to restore my saved data, I said no...same problem.

Now I'm in safe mode trying to figure out what's wrong. My main question is, is this a hardware malfunction or a problem of Vista?

 

It is most likely a problem with hardware, because all of the other people who also have the 1520 with vista do not report this kind of problem. You should call dell and request that they fix whatever is wrong

 

Can you go into BIOS and see if the problem persists? If it doesn't - Vista. If it does - hardware.

 

Hm, I don't know enough about BIOS to try that.

I'll wait and see if it happens anymore. If it does, off to Dell

 

Do you think it would be the hardware, even though it runs fine in Safemode?


Also, if I do send it to Dell it won't erase my hard drive will it? I know it shouldn't, but you never know with companies.

Thanks alot

 

In safe mode, Windows will turn off all advanced graphics features and run at low resolution. This would reduce stress on the graphics subsystem and possibly circumvent the problem.

 

Make sure if you work with Dell to repair it, that they don't stall to take you out of your 21 to 30 day window for getting a refund. Do hesistate on this. If your guts mention anything about a refund, go for that first. Dell (and all the major brands) are know for stalling until your 21 to 30 day window expires and you're stuck with just the repair option. You can repair for how ever long your warranty is. You can only get that refund while your window is open.

IMO, I would get the refund or request them to ship a brand new one. Also be sure to get that RMA. Don't send Dell crap, without a RMA.

 

Your problem sounds like you have a faulty graphics card. SAFE MODE uses just the standard Windows drivers. If you want(and if you're able to) see if there is an update driver for your graphic card on Dell's website. And install it.

You can go to another computer and save it on a thumb drive.
Go into SAFE MODE on your computer and place it on the desktop
Boot up normally and try to update that drive to see if it fixes your problem.
NOTE: If the computer will let you make a restore point before updating your driver!!!