Newbie with a Quick Question...

Hello, first time poster here. I'm wondering if others are having the same issue as me with regards to Windows 7 Professional, 32-bit version. The system runs fine when I used it. However, when we step away from the computer for a few hours and return, we find it frozen. The screen shows nothing, the PC is still on but there is no activity from the hard drive. I was wondering if there is a diagnostic I can run to see where the software issue is?

I have disabled the sleep mode and only have screen saver running after 20 min of non activity. The display shuts off after 30 min. Usually, we can hit the Space Bar or wiggle the mouse a bit and it resumes were I left off. However, this has happened twice in the last 2 days where it simply freezes. Any ideas? Thanks...

Hello Aeroman and welcome to the Forum.

I'm also using 7 Pro 32-bit on a Dell laptop. My machine does the same thing. All I have to do is tap the power button to pick up where I left off. This is normal according to my user manual. Might be different for other brands or desktop models.

I'll try that next time it does it. I too have a Dell but its a desktop PC. Its brand new. It came with the Win7 Home Premium Edition when I got it. I upgraded it to Win7 Professional 32-bit. Do you happen to have Sleep or Hibernation mode activated? I was told that turning off the PC while in this freeze mode state can damage the hard drive.

Aeroman said:

Hello, first time poster here. I'm wondering if others are having the same issue as me with regards to Windows 7 Professional, 32-bit version. The system runs fine when I used it. However, when we step away from the computer for a few hours and return, we find it frozen. The screen shows nothing, the PC is still on but there is no activity from the hard drive. I was wondering if there is a diagnostic I can run to see where the software issue is?

I have disabled the sleep mode and only have screen saver running after 20 min of non activity. The display shuts off after 30 min. Usually, we can hit the Space Bar or wiggle the mouse a bit and it resumes were I left off. However, this has happened twice in the last 2 days where it simply freezes. Any ideas? Thanks...

Dear Aeroman. I want to create new post, not unlike you did above, but can not find how to get started in the win7 documentation. Exactly where the access point? Cowpatty

CarlTR6 said:

Go to the section in which you wish to create a post. Near the top, on the left, there will be a New Thread button. Click it and start your post.

Dang it Carl, stop being such a fast typist!!

marsmimar said:

This is how I have my laptop configured.

Attachment 107677

When the machine is in sleep mode you can't access start button (orb) > shut down button. This is supposed to be the preferred way to prevent data loss or disk corruption. In sleep mode the only way to shut down my machine would be via the power button. And that's supposed to be an absolute last resort shut down option according to Dell.

Interesting...I was told that there is a known issue with the Sleep Mode on Windows. I used to have sleep mode on my desktop and I was not able to "wake it up". After turning it off and on, I was told that I had damaged the hard drive. I got a new hard drive and installed Windows 7 Pro on it. Now, I am having similar issues with having to fire it up after I step away from it (Screen Saver --> Display shut off).

If this does it again, I will hit the power button once on the PC Tower and see if it resumes. if not, what else can I try?

Thanks.

Aeroman said:

Interesting...I was told that there is a known issue with the Sleep Mode on Windows. I used to have sleep mode on my desktop and I was not able to "wake it up". After turning it off and on, I was told that I had damaged the hard drive. I got a new hard drive and installed Windows 7 Pro on it. Now, I am having similar issues with having to fire it up after I step away from it (Screen Saver --> Display shut off).

If this does it again, I will hit the power button once on the PC Tower and see if it resumes. if not, what else can I try?

Thanks.

Just for clarification, you might have to actually click the power button rather than tap it when the machine is in sleep mode. The only issues I've heard about pertained to Dell comps running XP SP3 and Vista. When Microsoft patched the power saving feature, those Dell computers needed a BIOS upgrade to work properly. You might want to check Dell Support and make sure you have the latest BIOS for your machine.

Dell - Drivers and Downloads

Also found these posts on a Dell forum.

http://en.community.dell.com/support.../19294615.aspx