BRAND NEW Laptop Keeps Crashing

[Yorsch]

Hello.
I received my new laptop from DELL around July 1st.

Its XPS 15Z i7 core 2620M @ CPU 2.70GHZ



I was pretty excited to use it.
However it started crashing the first day with BSOD. Imagine my frustration...
I blamed on the installation of wrong version of software( 32bit instead of 64)
Restored, reinstalled, worked fine. But then started crashing again.
Sometime it would stop for a while, and but would start later again 3-4 times in a row.
Most of the time it happens in school. I don't know whether it's just coincidence, or is it something I am doing in school that triggers crash...;/
I'm puzzled and frustrated with my MAC friends keep making fun of me..


Please help.
Thank you.
Please Let me know if you need any other info.


Is Windows 7 . . .
- x64
- the original installed OS on the system?
Windows 7 Home Premium
- an OEM or full retail version?
OEM
- What is the age of system (hardware)?
Less than 1 month
- What is the age of OS installation (have you re-installed the OS?)
Same. Have NOT reinstalled

 

[MvdB]

Hello Yorsch, Welcome to SF!

If your system came from the shop with W7 installed... I'd go back and have it fixed. Use warranty, it's there for a reason.

Looked at your dump and what your running... my first guess would be to fully de-install McAfee. It is known to sometimes cause this exact error.

After you de-install, use this free tool to be sure its all gone: How to uninstall or reinstall supported McAfee consumer products using the McAfee Consumer Products Removal tool (MCPR.exe)

Then immediately install a free AV like Avast...

If this tests negative, you can always reinstall McAfee again.. so keep your keys.

Next thing is that I'm a bit surprised by the way your IRQ's are divided. Too many different things seem to be on IRQ16. But let's remember that and check one thing at a time.

 

[Yorsch]

Hey MvdB,
Thank you for prompt reply.

So i followed your advice and uninstalled mcafee.
Installed Avast.

I also downloaded BlueScreenViewer to analyze the minidump.
Not sure exactly how to read it, but was able to understand that bug check string was DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL.
Also 2 files been marked red. NETIO.SYS and ntoskrnl.exe.

I attached the minidump file.

Please tell me whats the next step.

 

[MvdB]

That is the same dump file asin your first post and it doesn't tell me anything new?
Netio and ntoskrnl are not the real problem. They are system drivers that, if you had a real problem with them... you would know...

You have other problems with
- Windows update failures: go to your maintenance center and finish those, one by one if needed.
- You have problems with an Apple mobile service - delete/uninstall all Apple stuff as a test
- You have problems with Nvidia updates - de-install all Nvidia stuff, specially automatic updaters, make sure you really delete all by also using Driversweeper in Safemode and then , after rebooting, install only the drivers you need for your video card. Nothing else.

 

[seavixen32]

Dell should have sold you a computer that's fit for purpose, which yours obviously isn't.

Contact Dell and demand a refund or an exchange as is your right under the terms of your guarantee.

If you don't give them the chance to put things right while your computer is under warranty, you'll stand no chance with them when your warrany runs out.

Contact them - now.

No wonder your so-called Mac "friends" are laughing at you.

 

[whs]

Next step is to give the bit back to Dell and get your money back. Then try Sony or Toshiba. Sony has excellent on-site service. They fixed my laptop hardware twice (in my house) and now it works.

 

[Yorsch]

That is the same dump file asin your first post and it doesn't tell me anything new?

Sorry, didn't realize it was included in original package.

- Windows update failures: go to your maintenance center and finish those, one by one if needed.

The reason I did not update, because it offers me to install Sp1 for Office 2010 32 bit edition.
I have 64 bit...

Should I still install it?

- You have problems with an Apple mobile service - delete/uninstall all Apple stuff as a test

Done

- You have problems with Nvidia updates - de-install all Nvidia stuff, specially automatic updaters, make sure you really delete all by also using Driversweeper in Safemode and then , after rebooting, install only the drivers you need for your video card. Nothing else.

Uninstalled. Drivesweeped. How should I install drivers through device manager? Drivers CD provided with laptop, or from NVIDIA website?

Nvidia website driver installer package offers me following options:

-Graphic Driver
-3D Vision Controller Driver
-3D Vision Driver
-HD Audio Driver
-NVIDIA UPDATE
-PhysX system Software

Also there is checkbox for Clean installation


which one do i pick?

 

[Yorsch]

Dell should have sold you a computer that's fit for purpose, which yours obviously isn't.

What are you trying to say?

Next step is to give the bit back to Dell and get your money back. Then try Sony or Toshiba. Sony has excellent on-site service. They fixed my laptop hardware twice (in my house) and now it works.

Thank you for your consideration, but last time I checked this is Crashes & Debugging section, not Help Me Pick New Laptop.

 

[seavixen32]

Dell should have sold you a computer that's fit for purpose, which yours obviously isn't.

What are you trying to say?

Next step is to give the bit back to Dell and get your money back. Then try Sony or Toshiba. Sony has excellent on-site service. They fixed my laptop hardware twice (in my house) and now it works.

Thank you for your consideration, but last time I checked this is Crashes & Debugging section, not Help Me Pick New Laptop.

Suit yourself. Just remember that people give of their time freely to try and help others. Obviously, you're not prepared to take into consideration what are perfectly rational views.

If I buy a car that proves to be a lemon before a month is up I'd hot foot it back to the car dealer for a refund or an exchange - as I would with the computer reseller if it was a new computer that was no good.

I do hope you get your problem sorted out, but to quote a popular phrase over here - I'm out.

 

[Yorsch]

Suit yourself. Just remember that people give of their time freely to try and help others. Obviously, you're not prepared to take into consideration what are perfectly rational views.

If I buy a car that proves to be a lemon before a month is up I'd hot foot it back to the car dealer for a refund or an exchange - as I would with the computer reseller if it was a new computer that was no good.

I do hope you get your problem sorted out, but to quote a popular phrase over here - I'm out.

I do appreciate people giving me advices on how to solve the issue, but not the snarky comments as provided by you.

Regarding the lemon, the other user suggested me to get another lemon.
the only difference is that his laptop came with in-home service (for which he probably paid extra)

 

[whs]

Just to clarify: Sony in-home service is free of charge. Else I do not want to deal with you any more. Unpolite people are not welcome on our forum.

 

[MvdB]

That is the same dump file asin your first post and it doesn't tell me anything new?

Sorry, didn't realize it was included in original package.

- Windows update failures: go to your maintenance center and finish those, one by one if needed.

The reason I did not update, because it offers me to install Sp1 for Office 2010 32 bit edition.
I have 64 bit...

Should I still install it?

- You have problems with an Apple mobile service - delete/uninstall all Apple stuff as a test

Done

- You have problems with Nvidia updates - de-install all Nvidia stuff, specially automatic updaters, make sure you really delete all by also using Driversweeper in Safemode and then , after rebooting, install only the drivers you need for your video card. Nothing else.

Uninstalled. Drivesweeped. How should I install drivers through device manager? Drivers CD provided with laptop, or from NVIDIA website?

Nvidia website driver installer package offers me following options:

-Graphic Driver
-3D Vision Controller Driver
-3D Vision Driver
-HD Audio Driver
-NVIDIA UPDATE
-PhysX system Software

Also there is checkbox for Clean installation


which one do i pick?

Video drivers: direct from Nvidia website, clean install.
Office 32/64?? That is strange. Had you installed 32 bit before (as that was the original W7 install)? If so, fully de-install Office, make sure you install 64 b and teh run the update...

Ps. Everybody here is here to help others. The advise given by my friends was solid, honest and well meant advise. I don't know if it is a language issue, as for many of us in this international forum, English is not my first language, please be careful to be polite in your postings.

 

[Yorsch]

Video drivers: direct from Nvidia website, clean install.
Office 32/64?? That is strange. Had you installed 32 bit before (as that was the original W7 install)? If so, fully de-install Office, make sure you install 64 b and teh run the update...

Ps. Everybody here is here to help others. The advise given by my friends was solid, honest and well meant advise. I don't know if it is a language issue, as for many of us in this international forum, English is not my first language, please be careful to be polite in your postings.

Done everything as you described. So far it works ok.
Is there any way to check if the issue was resolved...or just have to wait if it crashes again....or doesn't..?

Thank you, MvdB for your help.
Appreciate it a lot, as you actually took your time to look into the problem and helped me to resolve it.

 

[MvdB]

Video drivers: direct from Nvidia website, clean install.
Office 32/64?? That is strange. Had you installed 32 bit before (as that was the original W7 install)? If so, fully de-install Office, make sure you install 64 b and teh run the update...

Ps. Everybody here is here to help others. The advise given by my friends was solid, honest and well meant advise. I don't know if it is a language issue, as for many of us in this international forum, English is not my first language, please be careful to be polite in your postings.

Done everything as you described. So far it works ok.
Is there any way to check if the issue was resolved...or just have to wait if it crashes again....or doesn't..?

Thank you, MvdB for your help.
Appreciate it a lot, as you actually took your time to look into the problem and helped me to resolve it.

Hope it is resolved! And your welcome, that's what we are here for.
.... and yes... not much more you can do but wait and see. I would advise jotting down current installation details, so that if this proves stable, you can always go back to it. In addition to normal backups of course....