A million 7811FX threads and I am still confused

Ok this is my first post and I hope I don't break etiquette with this post.

Here is my story.

This is the 2nd p7811FX laptop I have had in my possession. The first one had a white spots in the LCD, but it would run like a champ. I returned it on Friday and got this one. Now I am plagued with lock ups.

I have read thread after thread concerning this and the steps others are taking to remedy this issue are not working for me.

I have updated to the 177.92 driver and still I am having issues. The fastest way for me to test if the machine will lock is to let the Windows energy screen saver come on and within 15 mins I will lock. Now if I have no screensaver on it will run all day, until I put a game in.

Am I just missing something?

 

As Samwise's old gaffer used to say, "Third time's the charm!"

 

I agree, I would return it again right away. If you're getting consistent lockups that nothing seems to resolve, I don't see any other option for you. Personally, aside from a quick driver upgrade, I wouldn't try anything else in the first 14 days. Anything else is too much of a hassle for a system that is brand new.

 

Ok, Gateway support is worthless, so I figure I would document what I am doing here to hopefully help others.

9/8 12:58 pm - Restore to Factory Defaults
This way Gateway cannot argue that this is because of a 3rd Party App

9/8 1:08 pm - Reload Complete testing with the Windows "Energy" screen saver. This normally locks things up for me.

 

You may find "Reliability Monitor" interesting.
Here is Gateway's instructions on it.
Here is the full Gateway "lockup" support article.

 

Haha, I could of told you they woulda said that

They want you to use their pay as you go tech support. Dont do it, just come post here, you will get better support for a cheaper price.

@syngen good link, atleast from the title

 

9/8 1:53p - Sorry for the delay, Vista did it's first updates and the screen saver ran with no lockups. so now we have reloaded to Factory Defaults. If it continues to run for 30min then I will finish the Vista Updates.

 

Reliability Monitor should help track down some of the mysteries. Not a cure all but useful and informative along with the Event Viewer. Seems as though many don't know how to use them.

 

Ok, 2:28 update - No lockup after 30 mins. I am going to finish the Vista updates

 

3:00 pm Still no lockups. Uninstalling Apps from Gateway

 

3:20p - Uninstalled Norton 360, Office 2007 Student, Office 2007 Powerpoint, Gateway Games, and MS Works.

Took a long time to restart after the Office uninstall. Going to wait 15 mins and install AVG. (WIFI Disabled at this time)

 

3:30p - FROZEN. Rebooting and I am going to try the updated video drivers that everyone says are working

 

Is it overheating?

 

Doesn't seem too hot, but I haven't installed anything to check it.

I think I am going to go for laptop #3 after work today

 

@hitokirikai - run this to challenge the video for lock ups. It does not install and you get a quick or long test depending on your wishes.
http://www.daionet.gr.jp/~masa/rthdribl/

HWMonitor is essential to know your temps.

 

Is it worth going thru that much trouble?

 

if everyone would have posted in the info thread or owners lounge this wouldnt be a problem. I have been reporting all the useless threads I see but I have given up.