x205-sli1 locking up among other problems

As the title says my laptop locks up. It doesn't really matter what I'm doing... it just randomly locks up or BSODs. The BSODs don't really tell me much... It doesn't seem to matter what I am doing. It locks up when I play games; it locks up when I browse the internet; and it locks up when I'm working with documents or listening to music. The only time that it doesn't lock up is when I'm not doing anything at all... so it sounds to me like it might be the Hdd.

I also have a problem with my textures in games. They look like this http://www.xfire.com/screenshots/crazy9/ (I'm using my a picture from my friend's computer, but it looks the same - different game though - it happens to me in Bioshock and City of Heroes). I also get problems with textures just disappearing.

I'm leaning towards the video card being bad, but wouldn't I get graphic problems in all the games I play (WAR, WoW, The Witcher, CoD, Crysis, and a lot of other games I play run fine)? Could it be my hard drive that is the problem? The video card gets kind of hot, but then people have told me that it is common for the video card to get as hot as it is.

Another problem that I have is with programs not responding. For example, while I was typing this I opened up Windows Explorer and my screen froze and the words (not responding) popped up in the Title Bar. I also get this problem with Internet Explorer and other windows.

Also, my machine is sometimes sluggish. To the point where the time between when I type the letters and them appearing on the screen is probably half a second... which makes it so that some of the letters that I type don't actually appear on the screen. It's sluggish whether or not I have my laptop plugged in or running on battery.

I've already tested my memory using memtest, so I'm sure it's not that. All of the temps are fine.

Does anyone know how I can test my video card for problems? What about my hard-drive? Any other tests that I should perform? I would like free programs if possible.

I just want to test it out for myself before sending it in... since this will be the third time I am sending it in to the repair shop. It runs well enough for me to do my homework on if I save my work often...

If someone can help me that'd be great.

 

try to clean boot (google some instructions for this, i don't remember the site) your system with whatever os you're using. if this doesn't do it let some techs figure it out. no reason you should have to work with their faulty product (now, i'm assuming you use you're computer properly here). problems like that, i would be at the post office the next day shippin' her back.

only advice i can give you.

 

Thanks for the info. I performed the clean boot, but it still locks up. And, yes, I'm using my computer correctly.

 

I have to agree that a clean install of XP or vista will improve peformance, as well as using the latest video ddrivers, but I don't know specifically what is causing your problems.

Not specifically what you are looking for, but ATITools has overclocking utlities, and can stress your cards while increasing clocks, AND scan the renderings for errors. Might be helpfull at pushing the cards hard anyway??!!

 

Nm found out that I had to run the ATITool .27 beta 4. I let it run for 30 minutes and it hasn't shown any artifacts. The temp did go up to 92c, though.. which I've been told is not a big problem.

 

Where can I get the drivers for Windows XP? I read that someone used the Vista drivers for XP, but I'd rather use XP drivers if possible. I don't really want to spend money on Vista, but I have a copy of XP already.

Edit: I found out that I can get the Windows Vista Ultimate w/SP1 for under $100 through my school. It is the upgrade, though... so I will probably go with that. Since I will be getting the Ultimate I will probably upgrade my ram... what speed of ram can my laptop support? On their website Toshiba says "PC2-5300 DDR2 667MHz SDRAM" but I'm not sure if that just means what it comes with or what it can support.

 

That's what ya want, PC2-5300 DDR2, I'd throw 4GB in it, especially if you go with Vista Ultimate 64.

Try the clean install of Vista, get the latest drivers, and as for video drivers I've had GREAT luck with Dox's special drivers for the video cards. Get them here:
http://www.laptopvideo2go.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=21982&st=0&start=0

Only other thing I'd try is make sure all the fans and vents are clean. If that doesn't solve your problems, I could only think you do have a hardware problem.

 

I am having the same problem that you describe, I too own a x205-sl1. I have tried to isolate what programs I am using when the freeze-up happens, but like you said it seems quite random. I have updated all of my drivers and have all the latest versions of everything. I have also brought my laptop in and they tried replacing the motherboard... same problem. Tech support tries to tell me to do a clean boot but I know that won't help as I've had this problem from day one, even before I loaded anything on to it! I read another review by someone suggesting that internet explorer is the problem... I might try running another browser for a while just to see what happens. Please let me know if you find any solution, as will I.
alanjared

 

I handed my laptop over to the repair shop today. They told me they couldn't look at it until Thursday, but I figured I might as well turn it in today since I won't be needing it over the next couple of days anyway.

I told them that I did a clean boot and what the temperatures were and they said it is most likely a hardware problem since it's getting that hot, but they also said it might be a problem with my applications.

I told them to give me a call if it is a problem with my applications, which I doubt it is since it happened when I reinstalled Vista; before I loaded any software. Hopefully, if for some reason the Toshiba install disk is bad and that's why my laptop is doing this then the problems will go away once I do a clean install of Ultimate. If I can find out where to get the hdd drivers so I can install XP before I do the upgrade. I tried using nlite before and for some reason I couldn't get the install to recognize my hdd.

I will let you know what they say when I find out.

Oh and about Internet Explorer being the problem... I don't think it is (at least for me anyway) since I use Firefox as well as Internet Explorer and it happens in both.

 

I talked to the tech guy today and he said that it is an overheating problem and my CPU was damaged sometime when my laptop overheated. He's ordered a new one and then he will run some more tests and keep me updated.

He said that he could find no problems with my video cards, memory, or hard drives.

Oh, and does anyone know what (Product)Red is and what comes with it? The copy of Vista Ultimate that I bought has it and I'm just wondering.

 

how did things go with your laptop? I am about to take mine into the shop and was wondering if I should tell them to look at the processor as well. Thanks for your help,
alanjared

 

I've had no more problems with my laptop and I've had it on almost all of the time since I got it back. I ran Everest stability test for 48 hours and ATItool's artifact scanner and it seems to be fine.