Complete lock up (No BSOD) while playing games

Saurabh A · 05 Jan 2013

Hi Jfonta3,

Thank you for the detailed response.

Would like to know about the variation in 'temperature' when laptop is used in other 'game environments' like 'Diablo III'. Surprising that the laptop exhibits 'freezing issues' only with 'FFXI'; please check the laptop performance with other games and report.

Good that 'nVidia monitor' confirms the 'game activity'; so we know that it is not running on 'integrated GPU'.

You may also try updating 'Java' to see if that makes any difference. If the latest version is installed, try to switch back to the previous one.

Do reply with the findings; would be glad to assist.

Jfonta3 · 05 Jan 2013

Saurabh A said:

Hi Jfonta3,

Thank you for the detailed response.

Would like to know about the variation in 'temperature' when laptop is used in other 'game environments' like 'Diablo III'. Surprising that the laptop exhibits 'freezing issues' only with 'FFXI'; please check the laptop performance with other games and report.

Good that 'nVidia monitor' confirms the 'game activity'; so we know that it is not running on 'integrated GPU'.

You may also try updating 'Java' to see if that makes any difference. If the latest version is installed, try to switch back to the previous one.

Do reply with the findings; would be glad to assist.

I played Diablo3 for ~45min and the temps never broke 75C.
Also, downloaded the latest version of Java

Saurabh A · 09 Jan 2013

Hi Jfonta3,

Thank you for the reply.

Surprising that the laptop handles 'Diablo III' efficiently and succumbs to 'Final Fantasy XI'; with the ability to deal with a game that is relatively more demanding, the issue does not appear to be related to 'system hardware'. It indicates a 'software issue/conflict'.

Would like to know if updating 'Java' impacted the 'system performance' during the game. Also try updating 'Adobe Flash Player' and check results. Would also like to know about the current BIOS version on the system. You shared that 'A12' version is installed; however it does not match the 'release date' that you've mentioned. Please double-check if the information is correct.

Please share the 'Anti-virus/firewall' installed in the system; you may also try to temporarily 'uninstall' it to see if that makes things better. If it does, you may want to add the game in the 'firewall' and give it 'full access'.

If nothing else works, you may have to re-install 'Windows' to see if that works. (Note: Windows Re-install leads to data-loss; please ensure that you backup the information before attempting the re-install)

Hope this helps. Do reply with the findings; would be glad to assist.

AstaLaVista · 09 Jan 2013

Does the game has any patches so far? if so... have you done all the updates? if so... were they cumulative and auto patched or did you download first, saved and installed later?

Jfonta3 · 09 Jan 2013

Saurabh A said:

Hi Jfonta3,

Thank you for the reply.

Surprising that the laptop handles 'Diablo III' efficiently and succumbs to 'Final Fantasy XI'; with the ability to deal with a game that is relatively more demanding, the issue does not appear to be related to 'system hardware'. It indicates a 'software issue/conflict'.

Would like to know if updating 'Java' impacted the 'system performance' during the game. Also try updating 'Adobe Flash Player' and check results. Would also like to know about the current BIOS version on the system. You shared that 'A12' version is installed; however it does not match the 'release date' that you've mentioned. Please double-check if the information is correct.

Please share the 'Anti-virus/firewall' installed in the system; you may also try to temporarily 'uninstall' it to see if that makes things better. If it does, you may want to add the game in the 'firewall' and give it 'full access'.

If nothing else works, you may have to re-install 'Windows' to see if that works. (Note: Windows Re-install leads to data-loss; please ensure that you backup the information before attempting the re-install)

Hope this helps. Do reply with the findings; would be glad to assist.

I have double checked and have the latest Java and Adobe Flash Player, and the problem still persists.
How do you want me to go about checking the BIOs? If the release date isn't correct, how would I go about fixing this?
I have no antivirus installed on this PC at the moment because I just recently re-installed Windows 7 a week or so ago. The problem still persists.

AstaLaVista said:

Does the game has any patches so far? if so... have you done all the updates? if so... were they cumulative and auto patched or did you download first, saved and installed later?

The game does automatic updates and won't allow you to play unless it is at the current version. There was no update around the time this problem began to happen that I can remember...

Saurabh A · 10 Jan 2013

Hi Jfonta3,

Thank you for responding.

The troubleshooting performed so far points at a possible 'software issue/conflict'. You may try to flash BIOS before 'Re-installing Windows'. Though the currently installed version is the same; however, this step will help us to isolate if it needs any update.

To update BIOS, please find the steps listed below:
Note: Battery should have 10% or greater charge; Adapter should be connected; No external devices should be connected; All other programs should be closed and documents saved; BIOS update mentioned below is designed for 'XPS 15 L502x' and works with 'Windows 7 64 bit'.

- Click Driver Details | Dell United States to download and install the 'System BIOS'
- System may produce some beep sounds and will restart

If you experience issues after 'BIOS update' or the 'BIOS update' does not take place, you may try a 'fresh Windows Re-install' to see if that works. (Note: Windows Re-install leads to data-loss; please ensure that you backup the information before attempting the re-install)

Hope this helps. Let me know if you have any further questions; would be glad to assist.