m1330 blue screen under normal operation, driver related?

Hey guys,

I had hoped my first post here wouldn't be problem related, but I can't seem to figure this out.

From the day I got my m1330, I was getting blue screens. I ran memtest overnight and tried vista's memory checking utility and found no errors, tried vista's repair console to no avail, and finally I did a clean install of home premium 32bit, but even that didn't take care of it. All drivers were up to date. Sometimes it would go a couple of days without one, but then all of a sudden I would get one (seemed to be related to unplugging and switching to battery power) and it would just keep looping. Eventually (after 5 or so) it would come back to normal, but this time it won't. Windows will usually load but it doesn't last five minutes before I receive the following blue screen, and it just keeps on happening this time--I'm typing this from safe mode. I have a feeling this is driver related, but have no idea how to decipher the minidump/error code.

Please help, I would love to get to the bottom of this without calling tech support.

Blue screen details:
BCCode: 124
BCP1: 00000000
BCP2: 816C36B8
BCP3: B2000040
BCP4: 00000800
OS Version: 6_0_6000
Service Pack: 0_0
Product: 768_1

EDIT- Just got a blue screen in safe mode, loaded knoppix (CD-based linux OS) and it crashed as well. Starting to think this is hardware, help!

System specs-
t7100, 1 gig ram, 8400gs w/LED, fingerprint reader, wireless-n, bluetooth.

(for the record, using the wireless on/off switch does not change anything).

 

I have no idea.

 

Do you have a NVidia card?

 

Yes I do (thanks, I'll post my specs).

And I've had the same issue with the dell-provided drivers and updated ones from nVIDIA.

 

Try installing Intel Matrix Storage Manager driver. It is on your M1330 drivers disk and numbered R154198.

 

I think it is GPU related but I am not sure... Good luck though.

 

Thanks guys. Vikram, I installed that driver after doing a fresh clean install, only it is under R154200 on my recovery disk. Would you recommend reinstalling it for any reason?

 

If it crashes under Linux and Windows safe mode, probably hardware related

 

That's what I'm thinking... unfortunately. What should I do next? I've only had this thing for 16 days. If I call dell do I have to let them send a tech or should I request a new system? Ugh.

Thanks for the replies guys.

 

I've just read in a forum that two persons solved a similar problem by updating their BIOS but cannot guarantee it's the problem...

 

Thanks, I updated to A06 last night hoping it would help, but it didn't change anything.

 

Try going thru this thread...
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=162981

 

Thanks, but that seems to be more related to blue screen issues while installing vista 64bit. I had no problem reinstalling my OS.

 

Sometimes can be related to soundcard, I've seen many threads including
http://forums.techarena.in/showthread.php?t=723724

 

Another thing I use sometimes to diagnose weird problems is
Start --> Run --> eventvwr --> System or Apps
Possible to look at specific problems when you know the exact time of the crash

 

You need to download windbg. First you have to set it up correctly, then use it to open the minidumps. From there you can see the last process which caused the BSOD (and hopefully the related driver).

Use google to figure out how to setup and use windbg.

 

How hot is the laptop when these BSOD occur? Have you checked the temps?

 

Thanks guys.

I disabled the sound card and have still gotten a couple blue screens.

I'll be playing around with windbg and tech support this weekend, thanks for the suggestion.

And re: the system temperature, I haven't been monitoring it but I haven't noticed it getting any hotter than usual. What makes you bring this up?

 

UPDATE. sleey0, after running the debugger it was evident that the issue was hardware related. I ran nearly every diagnostic test on the utilities CD to no avail, so decided to call. After an hour and a half on the phone with XPS tech support (side note, I was very impressed, spoke with a nice, knowledgeable guy from Canada) we realized that the bluescreens stopped if speed step was disabled in the BIOS. So, I am currently awaiting a new motherboard/cpu, whilst having speed step disabled. Will let you guys know how it turns out.

Thanks again for all your input.

 

Welp, I've been running strong now for a couple of days with my new mobo/cpu. I'm pretty convinced, but I'll wait another couple of days until I breathe easy again.

Thanks for all the help fellas.