Returning 7811fx :(

So yeah, my 7811fx locks up every time I play a game (company of heroes, crysis, tf2) and i've only had it for 3 days. So i'm returning it to get a replacement over at BB
So...how do you return it? I mean, do I format it, do I keep it like it is, do I delete certain things.
And also, what do you guys think is the reason it locks up? cause i haven't done anything to it but install my games, steam, and firefox.
I know I may sound stupid, I just don't want to go to BB and return looking like an idiot because they refused to believe me and don't replace the laptop.
I'm a computer noob, but my best bet is the video card is defective, cause I saw the news about Nvidia having trouble with faulty mobile video cards.

Thanks in advance.

 

Do a complete system restore befor returning the laptop and see if that fix's the problem. That is, put your hard drive back to its virgin factory configuration, (not a partial microsoft system restore).

 

How do I do that?

 

Go to all programs, accessories,system tools, and at this point it can varry from one manufacture to another, but you should eventually find PC Recovery or Full System Restore. You then select the option that say's, WARNING ALL USER DATA WILL BE ERASED AND HARD DRIVE WILL BE RE-FORMATTED(or somthing to that effect) Then follow onscreen directions. So simple even a gammer could do it.

 

Holy Crap that doesn't sound like something I should do, i mean why should I do that? I've had it for 3 days, if anyone has to deal with this it's Best buy, if I get a faulty product, I shouldn't be expected to repair it, even if I could. /rant>
I'm just asking, what should I do with what i've installed should I uninstall it or do I just leave the laptop like it is right now. I saw another topic, where the guy tried to replace it, and they tested the laptop before it was replaced, so should I leave my games installed or what?

 

I would leave it as is, return it to bestbuy for a replacement, why wast your time, just make sure you take off any important information.

 

Do the full system restore for 2 reasons 1: it might fix your problem 2: thats the only way to completely wash out any personal info if you do return the computer. ( I can assure that doing a full system restore on a laptop is as common a procedure as changing a flat tire on a car is.)

 

If you haven't deleted it Gateway has a nice program called the Gateway Recovery Management program which you should find in your Start menu; it's use is detailed in the 7811 owner's manual.

After the full restore reload one game and see if you still get the lockups. If so all you have to do at the BB counter is replicate that behavior (be sure the machine is plugged in, it defaults to lower performance and less heat on battery) and they should be glad to take it back and give you a new one.

But before you do, maybe check one more thing, which is your memory. It's easy to access, and all you need to do is take the 2 sticks out and put them back in. Sometimes such "re-seating" is all that's needed. Again see the Manual on how to do this.

If you want to go one step further if it's still locking up take one stick out and see if you can play the game with just one stick in; if not swap them and try again. If it is still locking up that will have eliminated memory issues from being the problem.

 

would bb take 7811 back if i did fresh vista install? i got it yesterday (sunday). i was getting screen flickering problems, also monitor would go off and get into login screen saying that i am locked, or it would go off and never get back so i had to shut it down by using power button. Fresh install didnt helped. However i left it off for the whole night, and most of the day. i got back from work n been using it for like last 4 hours, and have no problems. but in case if it starts happening again, n i go to bb, would they exchange it for new one even if i did fresh reinstall of vista?

thanks

 

If after doing the full system restore(and I strongly suspect this will fix your problem) you find that the Gateway is functioning properly, only load one game or program at a time,and check to see that everything is working properly. Even if your computer does not prompt you to ,restart the computer after each and every program or game installation--do it anyway, for this is a good habbit to get into as suggested by most computer manufactures.

 

personally i'd just delete any sensitive information you have on there and go back to bestbuy. They will have geeksquad take a look at it, you'll need to replicate the problem, so leave the games installed. If they can't replicate the issue, they won't give you a replacement. They may even charge 15% restock

 

Ok i changed my mind, I'll do the restore, only cause I don't want sneaky best buy guys hijacking my steam account and stuff.
Only one question, what will I have to do after restore? Is it like turning the computer on for the first time or like i'll have to install drivers and complicated stuff?

 

so what about my case, is it ok that i did fresh vista install? would i be able to get replacement if bb sees the problem?

 

Bestbuy will not replace/refund unless their Geek Squad techs can replicate the problem. You CAN refund the notebook for the 15% restock fee, but other than that if they don't see an issue, they won't give you a new one.

 

My best buy (Henderson, NV) didn't care about the software that was/wasn't installed on mah 7811. Only thing they wanted to do was replicate my issues(stuck pixels/crashing). Don't bother with a restore, just delete any sensitive info and exchange/refund. G'luck!

 

Yeah, didn't restore couldn't go through with it, thanks for the advice everyone, i'm gonna take it this saturday and try to lockup on crysis , i'll just uninstall everything else i've installed.

 

Yes, it is just like turning on the computer for the first time.(no reinstalation of drivers or tricky stuff)

 

I had similar issues my new 7811FX - I couldn't play GOW for 5 min and it would totally lock-up and needed to hit the power switch. COD4 and TF2 would last maybe 1/2 hr before it locked-up. Anyway, I basically, created the Gateway recovery DVDs (requires 2 blank DVDs) and restored it before I swapped for a new 7811FX from BB. Now, I'm good-to-go with my replacement 7811FX - no more gaming lock-ups.