M6600 issues

Hey guys,

Been mauling over getting a new gaming notebook for a while. I finally plunged and bought a Dell Precision M6600 (I didn't need top of the line, and really wanted something professional looking / feeling).

I got it refurbished (just arrived yesterday) and I swear all it does is freeze up. If I slightly move the laptop in a fast motion, it locks it up pronto. Otherwise if it just sits on a table for example, it will lock up but it is just a question of when. I monitored the temps and the CPU never went over 78c and the video card was slightly lower at 74c. Even when the CPU hit 78c it never locked up due to that. I formatted and reinstalled Win7 Pro - same issues. Even before getting to installing any drivers I lock up. It is very much random other than moving the laptop. This also happened in the BIOS so I crossed out the hard drive sensor (I think?). Also it happens whether it is plugged in or not.

So I'm thinking rather than hoping the warranty pulls through, maybe I should just send it back. I really do like the design and feel of the laptop, the plethora of useful ports, and overall it never got extremely hot. The video card (M8900) could have performed slightly better on a slightly older game like SC2, but I didn't have any major complaints.

I am really tempted to try and work it out, but may not be worth the headache. I guess in other words - what can I try myself before contacting Dell? I'd like to avoid having Dell come out THEN send it back, but I don't think I have good options.

Thanks.

Specs:

I7 2760qm
8gb 1600mhz
750gb hd
M8900 2gb
1920x1080 matte (LG display)

I got it for a smooth $1175 (I thought it was a good price), so hoping to keep it.


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ISSUE:

This is crazy, but if I leave out the 2 screws that hold down the bottom cover, I can't get it to freeze anymore. At first when I took out the screws and took off the cover to move the ram around, I had issues with it freezing.

Long story short, now with the cover on but NO SCREWS to hold it down, I can shake it violently and not get it to freeze. It's been sitting on for a while now without issue too.

WTH???

I'm tempted to just send it back. Seems like one of those small issues that makes you wonder WTH else is wrong with it?

 

Bump for update.