Hello.
I'm new to the forum, but have read a few topics and got a lot of help from them. Specially on my first days with my M15x.
But here's the thing: After I upgraded all the drives and all, the system has rebooted three times. Out of nowhere. Once I was with firefox open, the other I wasn't even connected to the internet, and just now browsing facebook.
I really don't know what to do.
Does anybody have any thoughts on this?
Thanks a lot.
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I'd recommend restoring to a point before you did your driver updates. Then you can update your drivers one by one, and use your laptop for a bit (even a day) after each driver update. This way you'll know which driver caused instability in your system.
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You can all so try runing who crashed.
Resplendence Software - WhoCrashed, automatic crash dump analyzer -
Hey khetik, thanks for the suggestion, but t_man's sounded more practical lol.
So, I did run WhoCrashed, and it did show me that my system had crashed three times. Even though this software is very clear and simple, I still need some support on trying to solve this, according to WhoCrashed.
Do you think you could help me out?
Thanks. -
Post your crash reports here and let everyone look at them maybe we can figure something out from what they say; I would guess it's probably a display driver but that's simply a guess!
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Ok, I wasn't sure I could post it here. Here it is:
On Sat 12/3/2011 8:28:22 AM GMT your computer crashed
crash dump file: C:\Windows\memory.dmp
This was probably caused by the following module: ntkrnlmp.exe (nt!KeBugCheckEx+0x0)
Bugcheck code: 0x101 (0x19, 0x0, 0xFFFFF88003163180, 0x2)
Error: CLOCK_WATCHDOG_TIMEOUT
Bug check description: This indicates that an expected clock interrupt on a secondary processor, in a multi-processor system, was not received within the allocated interval.
This appears to be a typical software driver bug and is not likely to be caused by a hardware problem. This problem might be caused by a thermal issue.
The crash took place in the Windows kernel. Possibly this problem is caused by another driver which cannot be identified at this time.
On Sat 12/3/2011 6:32:54 AM GMT your computer crashed
crash dump file: C:\Windows\Minidump\120311-36051-01.dmp
This was probably caused by the following module: atikmpag.sys (atikmpag+0x78B8)
Bugcheck code: 0x116 (0xFFFFFA8005C224E0, 0xFFFFF880086828B8, 0x0, 0x2)
Error: VIDEO_TDR_ERROR
file path: C:\Windows\system32\drivers\atikmpag.sys
product: AMD driver
company: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
description: AMD multi-vendor Miniport Driver
Bug check description: This indicates that an attempt to reset the display driver and recover from a timeout failed.
A third party driver was identified as the probable root cause of this system error. It is suggested you look for an update for the following driver: atikmpag.sys (AMD multi-vendor Miniport Driver, Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.).
Google query: atikmpag.sys Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. VIDEO_TDR_ERROR
On Tue 8/2/2011 8:56:13 PM GMT your computer crashed
crash dump file: C:\Windows\Minidump\080211-16005-01.dmp
This was probably caused by the following module: usbport.sys (USBPORT+0x2DE4E)
Bugcheck code: 0xFE (0x5, 0xFFFFFA80066E41A0, 0x80863B34, 0xFFFFFA80093507B0)
Error: BUGCODE_USB_DRIVER
file path: C:\Windows\system32\drivers\usbport.sys
product: Microsoft® Windows® Operating System
company: Microsoft Corporation
description: USB 1.1 & 2.0 Port Driver
Bug check description: This indicates that an error has occurred in a Universal Serial Bus (USB) driver.
The crash took place in a standard Microsoft module. Your system configuration may be incorrect. Possibly this problem is caused by another driver on your system which cannot be identified at this time. -
Looking for the solution, I bumped into this DriverAgente service provided by $29.00.
I did a check and it got forty some drivers that needed update. Does anybody recommend this service? -
I never trust such programs.
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At this point I think the best thing you can do is a simple system restore and remember most all your driver needs are handled by Windows what Windows does not handle you can find here.
Drivers and Downloads | Dell [United States]
Want to simplify things more I would install the Dell default display driver and see if it solves your problem. -
I believe it is a GPU problem, I saw another thread on it with a similar crash dump. Which gpu drivers are you currently using? Try uninstalling your gpu driver, go into safe mode use ccleaner/driver sweeper to remove all ati stuff, then install 11.7 drivers (I believe you have 5850m). See how that works. Also are you on A09 bios?
Link to other thread:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m15x/553402-m15x-random-freezing-print.html -
Do you think it's the same thing? I read the thread and my problem doesn't seem to be the same. At least my computer doesn't freeze, or show me a blue screen. It simply shuts down and reboot, without a warning.
Anyway, if I uninstall the driver, how do I do the safe mode/ccleaner/driver sweeper thing?
Sorry but I'm really newbie on this.
I also don't know where to get the 11.7 drivers or which one is my BIOS.
Still wanna help? -
The blue screen is happening, you just don't see it because it happens really fast. It is your GPU having a problem, did you change the driver recently?
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The Revelator Notebook Prophet
The Cat 11.7 drivers are available here: http://www2.ati.com/DriVeRs/mobile/11-7_mobility_vista_win7_64_dd_ccc_ocl.exe
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The driver I'm using is the one I posted before. -
Ok guys, I downloaded the 11.7 driver, which is called "11-7_mobility_vista_win7_64_dd_ccc_ocl"
I saved in a folder, the files of the first driver upgrade I did, and the name of the files goes by
"11-11_mobility_vista_win7_64_dd_ccc_ocl" and
"catalyst_mobility_64-bit_util"
Just checking: Do I really have to uninstall the one I have now (11.11) and instal the 11.7?
Oh, and I already got a hang of the ccleaner thing.
Thanks a lot for all the help guys -
DriverAgent service is good, at 1st i also feel dodgy about it, but after try, it actually really provide u latest legit driver,
it has helped me on re-formatting almost 5 notebook that no longer has driver CD,
btw about the rebooting prob, u can try to disable "Auto Reboot on Crash" feature in windows 7
but u laso need to make sure u found the actual problem... -
I had this issue as well and it drove me crazy; turned out to be the memory in my case.
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Hey guys, I'm still with this issue.
Can anybody tell me which file should I use to upgrade my PGU? Is it the 11.11 or the 11.7?
Also, how do I update my BIOS?
Thanks -
Second, I'm still willing to bet it's the memory. Have you tried swapping them out for another set that you know if good? -
A09 is the most recent bios, if you already have it then there is no other update to perform. As for the graphics driver. I would turn the laptop on normally and uninstall AMD control panel/CCC from add/remove programs. Boot into safe mode then usee ccleaner/driver sweeper to remove amd files. Reboot laptop normally and install the 11.7, and I believe it requires a reboot.
However, before thinking about the bios, try out JohnnyFlash's idea. Better to rule out the easy stuff before going further. -
Are you talking about opening it up and removing the memory fisically? If yes, I'm pretty sure I don't have the proper skills for that. Or another set anyway. -
I will do that. Just checking: How do I boot it into safe mode again?
One thing I noticed: The computer never reboots when I'm playing Stracraft II or Warcraft III for hours (when I figure it would be when the GPU would be working harder and more suscetible to a freeze). It always freezes when I have only firefox open. I'ts been 6 crashes now.
Thanks! -
Download a free program called CPU-Z from cpuid website, and then go to the 'Mainboard' tab. It'll say model >> M15x, and to the right of it will say 'A0x' (the x being the bios number and 9 being the latest).
I boot into safe mode by click start >> (in the run box) type msconfig >> enter >> go to the boot tab >> and select safe mode. Then restart computer. -
The Revelator Notebook Prophet
Lot easier to just reboot, tap repeatedly on F8 at the boot screen (Alienhead) until a menu appears and select Safe Mode.
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About the BIOS. I check it and it is the 08. Should I download the 09?
Thanks. -
Have you tested your memory by booting up with just a single stick and checking both ram slots to rule that out as a probable cause? Like JohnnyFlash said, it may not be safe to update bios on an unstable system. I'd proceed with caution and of your own accord.
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I've got a question: Why would the memory be messed up? I mean, I just got this laptop a couple of months ago. Is this a known defect from the manufacturer? -
Things do go wrong, and it could be a number of things. Memory is just one of them.
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Alright. Let's hope it doesn't happen again. Not anywhere soon at least.
Thanks a lot guys.
M15x Rebooting
Discussion in 'Alienware M15x' started by naffonso, Dec 30, 2011.