My Dell Inspiron has started stopping down unexpectedly- again

Saurabh A · 25 Jan 2013

Hi widestination,

You may also run the 'Dell Hardware Diagnostics'; please refer to the following 'web article': Run Built-In Diagnostics for Your System | Dell

If the basic 'Diagnostics' pass, you may also choose to run a 'Custom Test' on 'Memory Diagnostics':
- Run basic diagnostics (as above)
- After the completion of 'basic diagnostics' a prompt appears: 'Would you like to run the remaining memory tests' > Select 'No'
- Select option 'Boot to utility partition' > You should be able to select the option of 'Custom Test'
- Run 'Custom Test' on 'Hard Drive' and 'Memory' one by one > Capture errors if any

We may get 'conclusive results' with the 'hardware tests'; would be a better platform to explore other possibilities, once 'hardware aspect' is isolated.

Testing the memory cards manually, was only a suggestion. You may not do it if not comfortable. Apologies for not sharing that in my previous post.

Do reply with the findings; will take it further.

gregrocker · 26 Jan 2013

In addition to the excellent suggestions provided, here are other Troubleshooting Steps for Windows 7.

If this is still the factory preinstall most tech enthusiasts will not run such a corrupt, bloated install with all the freeloaders on Win7's back, but instead choose to get the superior Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7. If you stick with the steps given you'll have a perfect install better than 90% of users and better than a new PC considering all of the crapware larded onto them.

Until then you can also mitigate some of the bloatware's smothering effect using Clean Up Factory Bloatware