Graphics Problems

[ethics]

Started about 2 weeks ago and here's my scenarior:


A Dell Inspiron 8100 laptop that is (most of the time) hooked up to a docking station.

For some reason, after between 5 and 60 minutes, my screen turns in to distorted images, mostly boxes and the whole pc shuts down and the only way to get it back is to cold boot it.

This happens mostly in games I play but there's enough instances where it would happen when I am just browsing the net.

There's no viruses (sig file as of 11/27) and I have the new drivers for NVidia. I even tried the old drivers. I THINK it started with the new detonator drivers I installed on here but again, I can't remember when this started.

If it helps, I will quote my dxdiag:

------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 11/30/2002, 10:49:33
Machine name: D35ZJ911
Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 1 (2600.xpsp1.020828-1920)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Dell Computer Corporation
System Model: Inspiron 8100
BIOS: DELL - 27d10c15
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) III Mobile CPU 1133MHz
Memory: 512MB RAM
Page File: 185MB used, 1063MB available
Primary File System: NTFS
DirectX Version: DirectX 8.1 (4.08.01.0810)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 5.01.2600.1106 32bit Unicode

------------
DxDiag Notes
------------
DirectX Files Tab: No problems found.
Display Tab 1: No problems found.
Sound Tab 1: No problems found.
Music Tab: No problems found.
Input Tab: No input devices detected.
No problems found.
Network Tab: No problems found.

------------------
DirectX Components
------------------
ddraw.dll: 5.01.2600.1106 English Final Retail 8/29/2002 05:40:50 253440 bytes
ddrawex.dll: 5.01.2600.0000 English Final Retail 8/18/2001 07:00:00 24064 bytes
dxapi.sys: 5.01.2600.0000 English Final Retail 8/18/2001 07:00:00 10496 bytes
d3d8.dll: 5.01.2600.1106 English Final Retail 8/29/2002 05:40:50 1180672 bytes
d3dim.dll: 5.01.2600.0000 English Final Retail 8/18/2001 07:00:00 436224 bytes
d3dim700.dll: 5.01.2600.0000 English Final Retail 8/18/2001 07:00:00 791040 bytes
d3dramp.dll: 5.01.2600.0000 English Final Retail 8/18/2001 07:00:00 590336 bytes
d3drm.dll: 5.01.2600.0000 English Final Retail 8/18/2001 07:00:00 350208 bytes
d3dxof.dll: 5.01.2600.0000 English Final Retail 8/18/2001 07:00:00 47616 bytes
d3dpmesh.dll: 5.01.2600.0000 English Final Retail 8/18/2001 07:00:00 34816 bytes
dplayx.dll: 5.01.2600.0000 English Final Retail 8/18/2001 07:00:00 212992 bytes
dpmodemx.dll: 5.01.2600.0000 English Final Retail 8/18/2001 07:00:00 20992 bytes
dpwsockx.dll: 5.01.2600.1106 English Final Retail 8/29/2002 05:40:50 49664 bytes
dplaysvr.exe: 5.01.2600.0000 English Final Retail 8/18/2001 07:00:00 26112 bytes
dpnsvr.exe: 5.01.2600.0000 English Final Retail 8/18/2001 07:00:00 18944 bytes
dpnet.dll: 5.01.2600.1106 English Final Retail 8/29/2002 05:40:50 156672 bytes
dpnlobby.dll: 5.01.2600.0000 English Final Retail 8/18/2001 07:00:00 38400 bytes
dpnwsock.dll: 5.01.2600.0000 English Final Retail 8/18/2001 07:00:00 61952 bytes
dpnaddr.dll: 5.01.2600.0000 English Final Retail 8/18/2001 07:00:00 26112 bytes
dpnmodem.dll: 5.01.2600.0000 English Final Retail 8/18/2001 07:00:00 62464 bytes
dpvoice.dll: 5.01.2600.1106 English Final Retail 8/29/2002 05:40:50 206336 bytes
dpvsetup.exe: 5.01.2600.1106 English Final Retail 8/29/2002 05:41:22 58368 bytes
dpvvox.dll: 5.01.2600.0000 English Final Retail 8/18/2001 07:00:00 113152 bytes
dpvacm.dll: 5.01.2600.0000 English Final Retail 8/18/2001 07:00:00 24064 bytes
dpnhpast.dll: 5.01.2600.1106 English Final Retail 8/29/2002 05:40:50 29696 bytes
dpnhupnp.dll: 5.01.2600.1106 English Final Retail 8/29/2002 05:40:50 56320 bytes
dinput.dll: 5.01.2600.1106 English Final Retail 8/29/2002 05:40:50 151552 bytes
dinput8.dll: 5.01.2600.1106 English Final Retail 8/29/2002 05:40:50 168960 bytes
dimap.dll: 5.01.2600.0000 English Final Retail 8/18/2001 07:00:00 44032 bytes
diactfrm.dll: 5.01.2600.0000 English Final Retail 8/18/2001 07:00:00 394240 bytes
joy.cpl: 5.01.2600.1106 English Final Retail 8/29/2002 05:41:28 65536 bytes
gcdef.dll: 5.01.2600.0000 English Final Retail 8/18/2001 07:00:00 76800 bytes
pid.dll: 5.01.2600.1106 English Final Retail 8/29/2002 05:41:10 31744 bytes
dsound.dll: 5.01.2600.0000 English Final Retail 8/18/2001 07:00:00 338944 bytes
dsound3d.dll: 5.01.2600.0000 English Final Retail 8/18/2001 07:00:00 1293824 bytes
dswave.dll: 5.01.2600.0000 English Final Retail 8/18/2001 07:00:00 16896 bytes
dsdmo.dll: 5.01.2600.0000 English Final Retail 8/18/2001 07:00:00 165888 bytes
dsdmoprp.dll: 5.01.2600.0000 English Final Retail 8/18/2001 07:00:00 66560 bytes
dmusic.dll: 5.01.2600.1106 English Final Retail 8/29/2002 05:40:50 94720 bytes
dmband.dll: 5.01.2600.1106 English Final Retail 8/29/2002 05:40:50 26112 bytes
dmcompos.dll: 5.01.2600.1106 English Final Retail 8/29/2002 05:40:50 57344 bytes
dmime.dll: 5.01.2600.1106 English Final Retail 8/29/2002 05:40:50 172544 bytes
dmloader.dll: 5.01.2600.1106 English Final Retail 8/29/2002 05:40:50 31744 bytes
dmstyle.dll: 5.01.2600.1106 English Final Retail 8/29/2002 05:40:50 110080 bytes
dmsynth.dll: 5.01.2600.0000 English Final Retail 8/18/2001 07:00:00 99840 bytes
dmscript.dll: 5.01.2600.1106 English Final Retail 8/29/2002 05:40:50 77312 bytes
dx7vb.dll: 5.01.2600.0000 English Final Retail 8/18/2001 07:00:00 595456 bytes
dx8vb.dll: 5.01.2600.0000 English Final Retail 8/18/2001 07:00:00 1185792 bytes
mfc40.dll: 4.01.00.6140 English Final Retail 8/18/2001 07:00:00 924432 bytes
mfc42.dll: 6.00.8665.0000 English Beta Retail 8/18/2001 07:00:00 995383 bytes
wsock32.dll: 5.01.2600.0000 English Final Retail 8/18/2001 07:00:00 21504 bytes
amstream.dll: 6.04.2600.0000 English Final Retail 8/18/2001 07:00:00 63488 bytes
devenum.dll: 6.04.2600.0000 English Final Retail 8/18/2001 07:00:00 51712 bytes
dxmasf.dll: 6.04.09.1125 English Final Retail 8/29/2002 05:40:52 498205 bytes
mciqtz32.dll: 6.04.2600.0000 English Final Retail 8/18/2001 07:00:00 33280 bytes
mpg2splt.ax: 6.04.2600.1106 English Final Retail 8/29/2002 05:41:28 135168 bytes
msdmo.dll: 6.04.2600.0000 English Final Retail 8/18/2001 07:00:00 11264 bytes
qasf.dll: 6.04.2600.0000 English Final Retail 8/18/2001 07:00:00 152576 bytes
qcap.dll: 6.04.2600.1106 English Final Retail 8/29/2002 05:41:10 184832 bytes
qdv.dll: 6.04.2600.0000 English Final Retail 8/18/2001 07:00:00 266752 bytes
qdvd.dll: 6.04.2600.1106 English Final Retail 8/29/2002 05:41:10 357376 bytes
qedit.dll: 6.04.2600.1106 English Final Retail 8/29/2002 05:41:10 511488 bytes
qedwipes.dll: 6.04.2600.0000 English Final Retail 8/18/2001 07:00:00 734208 bytes
quartz.dll: 6.04.2600.1106 English Final Retail 8/29/2002 05:41:10 1142784 bytes
strmdll.dll: 4.01.00.3928 English Final Retail 8/29/2002 05:41:18 251904 bytes
iac25_32.ax: 2.00.05.0053 English Final Retail 8/18/2001 07:00:00 199680 bytes
ir41_32.ax: 4.51.16.0003 English Final Retail 8/18/2001 07:00:00 848384 bytes
ir41_qc.dll: 4.30.62.0002 English Final Retail 8/18/2001 07:00:00 120320 bytes
ir41_qcx.dll: 4.30.64.0001 English Final Retail 8/18/2001 07:00:00 338432 bytes
ir50_32.dll: 5.2562.15.0055 English Final Retail 8/18/2001 07:00:00 755200 bytes
ir50_qc.dll: 5.00.63.0048 English Final Retail 8/18/2001 07:00:00 200192 bytes
ir50_qcx.dll: 5.00.64.0048 English Final Retail 8/18/2001 07:00:00 183808 bytes
ivfsrc.ax: 5.10.02.0051 English Final Retail 8/18/2001 07:00:00 154624 bytes
mswebdvd.dll: 6.04.2600.1106 English Final Retail 8/29/2002 05:41:08 192512 bytes
ks.sys: 5.01.2600.1106 English Final Retail 8/29/2002 04:13:42 131712 bytes
ksproxy.ax: 5.01.2600.0000 English Final Retail 8/17/2001 21:37:04 117248 bytes
ksuser.dll: 5.01.2600.0000 English Final Retail 8/17/2001 21:36:18 4096 bytes
stream.sys: 5.01.2600.1106 English Final Retail 8/29/2002 03:32:34 44416 bytes
mspclock.sys: 5.01.2600.0000 English Final Retail 8/18/2001 07:00:00 5120 bytes
mspqm.sys: 5.01.2600.0000 English Final Retail 8/18/2001 07:00:00 4608 bytes
mskssrv.sys: 5.01.2600.1106 English Final Retail 8/29/2002 03:27:12 7040 bytes
swenum.sys: 5.01.2600.0000 English Final Retail 8/18/2001 07:00:00 3840 bytes
msvidctl.dll: 6.04.2600.1106 English Final Retail 8/29/2002 05:41:08 1220608 bytes
vbisurf.ax: 5.01.2600.1106 English Final Retail 8/29/2002 05:41:28 27136 bytes
msyuv.dll: 5.01.2600.0000 English Final Retail 8/18/2001 07:00:00 16384 bytes
wstdecod.dll: 5.01.2600.0000 English Final Retail 8/18/2001 07:00:00 46080 bytes

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: Dell 8100
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce2 Go
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Device ID: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0112&SUBSYS_00E61028&REV_B2
Display Memory: 32.0 MB
Current Mode: 1024 x 768 (16 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor: Default Monitor
Monitor Max Res:
Driver Name: nv4_disp.dll
Driver Version: 6.13.10.2963 (English)
DDI Version: 8 (or higher)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 6/28/2002 12:08:00, 3540314 bytes
Driver Signed: Yes
WHQL Date Stamp: n/a
VDD:
Mini VDD: nv4.sys
Mini VDD Date: 8/16/2001 23:50:26, 731648 bytes
Device Identifier: {D7B71E3E-4252-11CF-0B78-EC2010C2CB35}
Vendor ID: 0x10DE
Device ID: 0x0112
SubSys ID: 0x00E61028
Revision ID: 0x00B2
Registry: OK
DDraw Status: Enabled
D3D Status: Enabled
AGP Status: Enabled
DDraw Test Result:
D3D7 Test Result:
D3D8 Test Result:

-------------
Sound Devices
-------------
Description: ESS Maestro
Device ID: PCI\VEN_125D&DEV_1998&SUBSYS_00E61028&REV_10
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Type: WDM
Driver Name: es198xdl.sys
Driver Version: 5.12.01.1174 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Signed: Yes
Date and Size: 6/20/2002 16:53:54, 414400 bytes
Other Files:
Driver Provider: ESS Technology, Inc.
HW Accel Level: Full
Registry: OK
Sound Test Result:

-----------
DirectMusic
-----------
DLS Path: C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\drivers\GM.DLS
Version: 1.00.16.0002
Ports:
Microsoft Synthesizer, Software (Not Kernel Mode), Output, DLS, Internal, Default Port
ESS Maestro, Software (Kernel Mode), Output, DLS, Internal
Microsoft MIDI Mapper [Emulated], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, Internal
Microsoft GS Wavetable SW Synth [Emulated], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, Internal
Registry: OK
Music Test Result:

------------------
DirectShow Filters
------------------

DirectShow Filters:
WMAudio Decoder DMO,0x00600800,1,1,,
WMVideo 8 Decoder DMO,0x00800001,1,1,,
MSScreen decoder DMO,0x00600800,1,1,,
WMVideo Decoder DMO,0x00800001,1,1,,
Mpeg4 Decoder DMO,0x00800001,1,1,,
DivX Decoder Filter,0x00800000,1,1,divxdec.ax,5.00.02.0000
Full Screen Renderer,0x00200000,1,0,quartz.dll,6.04.2600.1106
DV Muxer,0x00400000,0,0,qdv.dll,6.04.2600.0000
Color Space Converter,0x00400001,1,1,quartz.dll,6.04.2600.1106
WM ASF Reader,0x00400000,0,0,qasf.dll,6.04.2600.0000
AVI Splitter,0x00600000,1,1,quartz.dll,6.04.2600.1106
VGA 16 Color Ditherer,0x00400000,1,1,quartz.dll,6.04.2600.1106
Indeo® video 5.10 Compression Filter,0x00200000,1,1,ir50_32.dll,5.2562.15.0055
Windows Media Audio Decoder,0x00800001,1,1,msadds32.ax,8.00.00.4487
AC3 Parser Filter,0x00600000,1,1,mpg2splt.ax,6.04.2600.1106
StreamBufferSink,0x00200000,0,0,sbe.dll,
MJPEG Decompressor,0x00600000,1,1,quartz.dll,6.04.2600.1106
Indeo® video 5.10 Decompression Filter,0x00640000,1,1,ir50_32.dll,5.2562.15.0055
Microsoft Screen Video Decompressor,0x00800000,1,1,msscds32.ax,8.00.00.4487
MPEG-I Stream Splitter,0x00600000,1,2,quartz.dll,6.04.2600.1106
SAMI (CC) Parser,0x00400000,1,1,quartz.dll,6.04.2600.1106
MPEG Layer-3 Decoder,0x00810000,1,1,l3codecx.ax,1.05.00.0050
MPEG-2 Splitter,0x005fffff,1,0,mpg2splt.ax,6.04.2600.1106
CyberLink Audio Effect,0x00200000,1,1,claudfx.ax,3.05.00.1109
ACELP.net Sipro Lab Audio Decoder,0x00800001,1,1,acelpdec.ax,1.04.00.0000
Render Dib New,0x00200000,1,1,ezrgb24.ax,
Internal Script Command Renderer,0x00800001,1,0,quartz.dll,6.04.2600.1106
MPEG Audio Decoder,0x03680001,1,1,quartz.dll,6.04.2600.1106
File Source (Netshow URL),0x00400000,0,1,dxmasf.dll,6.04.09.1125
DV Splitter,0x00600000,1,2,qdv.dll,6.04.2600.0000
Windows Media Video Decoder,0x00800000,1,1,wmvds32.ax,8.00.00.4487
Windows Media Video Decoder,0x00800000,1,1,wmv8ds32.ax,8.00.00.4000
Windows Media Multiplexer,0x00600000,1,1,dxmasf.dll,6.04.09.1125
ASX file Parser,0x00600000,1,1,dxmasf.dll,6.04.09.1125
ASX v.2 file Parser,0x00600000,1,0,dxmasf.dll,6.04.09.1125
NSC file Parser,0x00600000,1,1,dxmasf.dll,6.04.09.1125
ACM Wrapper,0x00600000,1,1,quartz.dll,6.04.2600.1106
Windows Media source filter,0x00600000,0,2,dxmasf.dll,6.04.09.1125
Video Renderer,0x00800001,1,0,quartz.dll,6.04.2600.1106
MPEG-2 Video Stream Analyzer,0x00200000,0,0,sbe.dll,
Line 21 Decoder,0x00600000,1,1,qdvd.dll,6.04.2600.1106
Video Port Manager,0x00600000,2,1,quartz.dll,6.04.2600.1106
WST Decoder,0x00600000,1,1,wstdecod.dll,5.01.2600.0000
Video Renderer,0x00400000,1,0,quartz.dll,6.04.2600.1106
DivX Decoder Filter,0x00800000,1,1,divxdec.ax,5.00.02.0000
WM ASF Writer,0x00400000,0,0,qasf.dll,6.04.2600.0000
VBI Surface Allocator,0x00600000,1,1,vbisurf.ax,5.01.2600.1106
Microsoft MPEG-4 Video Decompressor,0x00800000,1,1,mpg4ds32.ax,8.00.00.4487
File writer,0x00200000,1,0,qcap.dll,6.04.2600.1106
DVD Navigator,0x00200000,0,2,qdvd.dll,6.04.2600.1106
CyberLink Audio Decoder,0x00601000,1,1,claud.ax,3.05.00.1004
CyberLink Video/SP Decoder,0x00600000,2,2,clvsd.ax,3.05.00.1011
Overlay Mixer2,0x00400000,1,1,qdvd.dll,6.04.2600.1106
AVI Draw,0x00600064,9,1,quartz.dll,6.04.2600.1106
.RAM file Parser,0x00600000,1,0,dxmasf.dll,6.04.09.1125
G.711 Codec,0x00200000,1,1,g711codc.ax,5.01.2600.0000
MPEG-2 Demultiplexer,0x00600000,1,1,mpg2splt.ax,6.04.2600.1106
DV Video Decoder,0x00800000,1,1,qdv.dll,6.04.2600.0000
Indeo® audio software,0x00500000,1,1,iac25_32.ax,2.00.05.0053
Windows Media Update Filter,0x00400000,1,0,dxmasf.dll,6.04.09.1125
ASF DIB Handler,0x00600000,1,1,dxmasf.dll,6.04.09.1125
ASF ACM Handler,0x00600000,1,1,dxmasf.dll,6.04.09.1125
ASF ICM Handler,0x00600000,1,1,dxmasf.dll,6.04.09.1125
ASF URL Handler,0x00600000,1,1,dxmasf.dll,6.04.09.1125
ASF JPEG Handler,0x00600000,1,1,dxmasf.dll,6.04.09.1125
ASF DJPEG Handler,0x00600000,1,1,dxmasf.dll,6.04.09.1125
ASF embedded stuff Handler,0x00600000,1,1,dxmasf.dll,6.04.09.1125
WIA Stream Snapshot Filter,0x00200000,1,1,wiasf.ax,1.00.00.0000
SampleGrabber,0x00200000,1,1,qedit.dll,6.04.2600.1106
Null Renderer,0x00200000,1,0,qedit.dll,6.04.2600.1106
CyberLink DxVA Filter 2,0x00200000,0,2,Cldxva.ax,
IVF source filter,0x00600000,0,1,ivfsrc.ax,5.10.02.0051
StreamBufferSource,0x00200000,0,0,sbe.dll,
WMP CD Filter,0x00600000,0,1,wmpcd.dll,8.00.00.4487
Smart Tee,0x00200000,1,2,qcap.dll,6.04.2600.1106
Overlay Mixer,0x00200000,0,0,qdvd.dll,6.04.2600.1106
AVI Decompressor,0x00600000,1,1,quartz.dll,6.04.2600.1106
AVI/WAV File Source,0x00400000,0,2,quartz.dll,6.04.2600.1106
QuickTime Movie Parser,0x00600000,1,1,quartz.dll,6.04.2600.1106
Wave Parser,0x00400000,1,1,quartz.dll,6.04.2600.1106
MIDI Parser,0x00400000,1,1,quartz.dll,6.04.2600.1106
Multi-file Parser,0x00400000,1,1,quartz.dll,6.04.2600.1106
Lyric Parser,0x00400000,1,1,quartz.dll,6.04.2600.1106
File stream renderer,0x00400000,1,1,quartz.dll,6.04.2600.1106
XML Playlist,0x00400000,1,0,dxmasf.dll,6.04.09.1125
AVI Mux,0x00200000,1,0,qcap.dll,6.04.2600.1106
Line 21 Decoder 2,0x00600002,1,1,quartz.dll,6.04.2600.1106
File Source (Async.),0x00400000,0,1,quartz.dll,6.04.2600.1106
File Source (URL),0x00400000,0,1,quartz.dll,6.04.2600.1106
Windows Media Pad VU Data Grabber,0x00600000,1,0,wmmfilt.dll,1.02.2541.0000
Infinite Pin Tee Filter,0x00200000,1,1,qcap.dll,6.04.2600.1106
QT Decompressor,0x00600000,1,1,quartz.dll,6.04.2600.1106
ShotBoundaryDet,0x00200000,1,1,wmmfilt.dll,1.02.2541.0000
MPEG Video Decoder,0x40000001,1,1,quartz.dll,6.04.2600.1106
Indeo® video 4.4 Decompression Filter,0x00640000,1,1,ir41_32.ax,4.51.16.0003
Voxware MetaSound Audio Decoder,0x00999999,1,1,voxmsdec.ax,1.00.00.0012
Indeo® video 4.4 Compression Filter,0x00200000,1,1,ir41_32.ax,4.51.16.0003

WDM Streaming Data Transforms:
Microsoft Kernel Acoustic Echo Canceller,0x00200000,2,2,ksproxy.ax,5.01.2600.0000
Microsoft Kernel GS Wavetable Synthesizer,0x00200000,1,1,ksproxy.ax,5.01.2600.0000
Microsoft Kernel DLS Synthesizer,0x00200000,1,1,ksproxy.ax,5.01.2600.0000
Microsoft Kernel DRM Audio Descrambler,0x00200000,1,1,ksproxy.ax,5.01.2600.0000

Video Compressors:
WMVideo Encoder DMO,0x00600800,1,1,,
MSScreen encoder DMO,0x00600800,1,1,,
WMVideo8 Encoder DMO,0x00600800,1,1,,
DV Video Encoder,0x00200000,0,0,qdv.dll,6.04.2600.0000
Indeo® video 5.10 Compression Filter,0x00100000,1,1,ir50_32.dll,5.2562.15.0055
MJPEG Compressor,0x00200000,0,0,quartz.dll,6.04.2600.1106
Cinepak Codec by Radius,0x00200000,1,1,qcap.dll,6.04.2600.1106
DivX 5.0.2 Codec,0x00200000,1,1,qcap.dll,6.04.2600.1106
Intel I.263 Video Driver 2.55.016,0x00200000,1,1,qcap.dll,6.04.2600.1106
Intel Indeo(R) Video R3.2,0x00200000,1,1,qcap.dll,6.04.2600.1106
Intel Indeo® Video 4.5,0x00200000,1,1,qcap.dll,6.04.2600.1106
Indeo® video 5.10,0x00200000,1,1,qcap.dll,6.04.2600.1106
Intel IYUV codec,0x00200000,1,1,qcap.dll,6.04.2600.1106
Microsoft H.261 Video Codec,0x00200000,1,1,qcap.dll,6.04.2600.1106
Microsoft H.263 Video Codec,0x00200000,1,1,qcap.dll,6.04.2600.1106
Microsoft RLE,0x00200000,1,1,qcap.dll,6.04.2600.1106
Microsoft Video 1,0x00200000,1,1,qcap.dll,6.04.2600.1106

[-Ken]

It sounds to me like an overheating problem.

Is the system under warranty? If so, it is Dell's problem,
not yours. If not, you are probably looking at a replacement
motherboard. That will not be cheap.

[Sunriser13]

I don't know how much real help this will be, but I'll throw it out here because it may have some value to the ones who <i>can</i> help.

Drivers are of course the first place to start, especially if you noticed the problem after changing them. Something else popped out at me though: the shutdown and the fact that this happens usually while gaming. I'd want you to check two things.

First, just because, make sure the card is seated fully in the slot. The constant heating and cooling of video cards has been known to loosen them sometimes.

The other thing is cooling. Most things shut down when they overheat, and display cards and CPU's are getting real workouts these days, and gaming will heat things up more than just about anything. I'm not sure if your card has its own cooler, but you may want to check that out. Also the CPU fan itself contributes to cooling the entire environment. (And modern motherboards will shut down to protect the CPU when it overheats also.) Just a suggestion...

Hope this helps at least a little! :)

[ethics]

Sounds like two posts pointing to cooling. I have to agree somewhat because the fan kicks in AFTER the system crashes.


Hmmmm... Didn't think THAT would be a problem but heck.

[Techie2000]

IIRC Dell should have shipped you a Diagnostic boot disk. I remember running it on my Aunt's Dell. It should have a test for the fans to make sure they are working correctly. Hopefully it is under warranty. My mom has a Sony VAIO with an overheating problem. It keeps breaking. We were going to get a replacement from Sony, but after going through circles with the helpless desk and finally talking to someone who could get us some help, the sony tech suport idiots decided it was our fault. Suffice to say we now have a laptop that is out of warranty, a broken RAM slot, and we're still waiting for the day when the network card will break again...

[-Ken]

Techie,

Do I get the feeling you will not be
recommending Sony as the laptop
of choice to anyone who asks?

[Techie2000]

That assumption would be correct...

If anyone asks I always say Dell or IBM.

[-Ken]

Until recently, I would have included Toshiba in the list.

[jamming]

Ethics, it sounds like there is some thermal problem on your board, it possibly could be the flat panel. The way to determine is can you run it throught the optional video out from the connector in the back of the laptop, by hooking it up to a stand alone monitor. If it is a monitor problem it should be OK, but if it is a board problem it will repeat. Make sure you have all critical information backed up and remove any sensitive information before sending it for repair or replacement.

Toshiba is still on my list Ken, but every computer manufacture has a number of bad ones that get through, hope you didn't get one of those.

[Domh]

I have an inspiron 4100 - every once in awhile when resuming out of sleep mode, the screen goes whacky on me, lines and bright snow field that slowly fades away to the center.

I hold down the power button for 15 seconds, release, turn the bitch back on and commence.

As I was lucky enough to get a laptop screen with only ONE bad pixel (in the very lower right corner) Im not going to risk replacing it with a screen that may not do the weird thang, but has a bad pixel dead center.

According to Dell, a LCD screen is acceptable and not worthy of replacement if it has as many as 4 bad pixels!

[ethics]

Originally posted by jamming
The way to determine is can you run it throught the optional video out from the connector in the back of the laptop, by hooking it up to a stand alone monitor. If it is a monitor problem it should be OK, but if it is a board problem it will repeat. Make sure you have all critical information backed up and remove any sensitive information before sending it for repair or replacement.


Well, the docking station has a monitor attached to it, so when it goes bad it's on the monitor and I really doubt it IS the monitor.

I think the fan comes on periodically, but I might look for that disk and see what's up.

Thanks for the advice Jim, and others.

[Coot]

Originally posted by Techie2000
That assumption would be correct...

If anyone asks I always say Dell or IBM. I dis'd Dell on my latest purchases. I have a PIII 1 gig and a P4 1.8 gig Systemax and they are the best laptop purchases I've made, and they saved me a nice chunk of change to boot. The PIII has taken a lot of abuse in its year and a half as it gets frequently used in a dirty nasty industrial environment. The three year screen replacement warranty isn't bad either ;)

[Stiofán]

I'll have to agree with the overheating problem. Your fan should be running the entire time the CPU is powered up, becuase of the heat generated in a laptop. I've had a couple of Toshibas and never had a heat problem, but I could have been lucky there. I have had problems with ports going bad on the motherboards, even though they were built pretty solidly. Still, I have one now that runs 24/7 doing nothing but a DC program, and it's never overheated last 4 years, but the fan's always on.

[ethics]

I think I know what the problem is and it's not the fan or the heat.

It's the battery.

Now, can anyone tell me why it would be the battery? Granted, my laptop is mostly plugged in to the docking station which is always powered by the cord, while the battery is inside.

Could it be the battery finally went bad and when the power transfer occurred that's when my graphics freaked?

[Techie2000]

Hmm. I'm not honestly sure. I do know that if your laptop is going to be wall powered most of the time they tell you to remove the battery because the more its used, the more it loses its potency but I never heard anything about it doing anything like your describing because of it. Have you tried taking the battery out? Is it leaking? What about cleaning the battery contacts?

[IamZed]

I cant actually read that much.

[Sunriser13]

I'd not heard of the battery causing that, either. However, a flaky power supply can cause all kinds of problems.

Does the same thing happen when you're running on either battery or AC power?

[mrRT]

Originally posted by ethics
I think I know what the problem is and it's not the fan or the heat.

It's the battery.

Now, can anyone tell me why it would be the battery? Granted, my laptop is mostly plugged in to the docking station which is always powered by the cord, while the battery is inside.

Could it be the battery finally went bad and when the power transfer occurred that's when my graphics freaked?
]
A couple of things here. You should check the Dell site and see if there are any patches available for your laptop. The battery issue is a very common one in Laptops. Its to be related to a couple of things (only speaking form the clint machines I have fixed)
1.) there are issues with hibernation...actually the awake state after hibernation. It seems that some times there is an excess battery current draw that lowers some of the key supply voltages necessary to support an active state. Usually its the +12V or the +5 V rail that takes the hit and just screws the machine to hell. I Have applied a bunch of patches to fix IBM laptops for the exact same thing.
2.) If its not a know issue that there is a patch available for it could easily be a defective battery. I know the thing is a newer battery, but don't forget they pop those out by the thousands and sometimes there are bad batches of batteries deleivered to the vendors.
3.) Another thing to keep in mind is even though this Laptop is sitting in a docked state, the power supply for the laptop is still the battery. There is no "power supply" as in a desktop. the power supply is a constant trickle charge to the battery in the laptop. So it could not be a power supply issue, like a power supply in a desktop. However is certainly does seem to be pointing to a power supply issue (battery) or another thermal related issue.

A good thing to do is call Dell. Their support is a PITA to get to, but they are pretty decent actually at checking things like that.

[jamming]

MrRT is giving good advice, even a call or email to Tech Support might be helpful as this video issue might be known to them. If hey have had more than 10 of these it should be in their database and be able to advise you, on the steps to take. If not ask for the Tier2 or supervisor to talk with.

[ethics]

I took the battery out, and while it's MUCH better, the problem persists, so shoot that idea.

What I think happened is when I took the battery out, more air got in to cool the graphics/motherboard card. So, everything pretty much still points to the heating problem.

[mrRT]

Originally posted by ethics
I took the battery out, and while it's MUCH better, the problem persists, so shoot that idea.

What I think happened is when I took the battery out, more air got in to cool the graphics/motherboard card. So, everything pretty much still points to the heating problem.

Another point to ponder (like you don't have enough already)...Is that those battery paks sometimes get very (and I mean very) warm. I know that in the past I have had some issues with the Compaq battery paks over heating and causing thermal issues on laptops. So I still wouldn't chuck the battery idea out yet..
Call Dell and see what words of wisdom they can offer.

[jamming]

To much heat from one component may damage another, so the battery may have been the cause but the damage could of been done to the nearby components in the layout.

[mrRT]

And maybe this will help also Ethics...

check this LINK (http://forums.us.dell.com/supportforums?category.id=inspiron) as it seems there are vidoe driver issues. Also if you do a search for over heat you will see that there are some over heating issues. Looks like most can be solved with a downloadable patch or call to Dell Service.

[ethics]

Thanks Mr! I should have done this before, just had no time.

[mrRT]

Originally posted by ethics
Thanks Mr! I should have done this before, just had no time.

Your troubles all fixed up yet???

[ethics]

Originally posted by mrRT
Your troubles all fixed up yet???

Nope. There's a thread there(Dell support forums) that MANY people are experiencing the same thing.

I've upgraded drivers, downgraded to older ones, upgraded BIOS, nada.

I think I need to devote a few hours with the tech support and then have them realize it's a hardware problem with my card/motherboard.

I am pissed too, because the time it takes to troubleshoot something like this, I do not have.

[mrRT]

Originally posted by ethics
I am pissed too, because the time it takes to troubleshoot something like this, I do not have.

Thats always the way it is...never enough time...

If you need any help let me know

[ethics]

Thanks but I think there's only one way to do this. Spend about 3 hours going through all the bs DELL tech will ask me, and then waiting for either parts or someone to come over to swap them.

I have a 3 year onsite warranty. :)

[mrRT]

One thing I have noticed with Dell...
( sold a bunch of them to clients). The desktops and laptops seem to require more attention than other brands...Their only saving greace is their tech support is pretty decent...

doesn't negate the phone time , but at least it helps...

[Techie2000]

ethics: Feel lucky, one day I will share the story of my Mom's Sony VAIO laptop from hell...

[wapu]

Remember, there is a lot of heat in a laptop. Keep it off your family jewels.;) Pants and undies will not help.


wapu

P.S. sounds like a heat issue to me as well. Call Dell.

[ethics]

Well, finally got Dell to send me the new graphics card. We shall see what happens. :)