Is this problem fixable on my Dell E1505?

stegi1 · 05-29-2008, 01:00 AM

I bought a Dell Inspiron E1505 two years ago but about 9 months my screen randomly started freezing.
At first it only occured about once every two weeks, but gradually the freezes became more frequent. As I play a game, such as Counter Strike while it's plugged in, the screen freezes as I can't move the mouse or do anything. The only solution is to press the Power Button. However, the confusing part is that after I press the Power Button to turn it on again, I can hear the the fan And my harddrive running before they suddenly stop. It sounds like an engine running before a click can be heard which turns it off.
IF I am lucky which could be 1 out of 3, or 1 out of 25 attempts, I get to the loading screen BUT then most of the time, the loading screen freezes too.
However, sometimes I do manage to turn it on and use my laptop properly with no problems for a period of time.
I noticed that After I get in, my laptop doesn't freeze if it's not plugged in. However, the moment I plug it in, the chances of freezes are very high. The problem has been haunting me for the last year. Games have been impossible to play if my laptop is plugged in.
I apologize, but I'm not an expert at laptops and my terminology is quite off. My parents would be willing to buy me a new laptop but I don't know if I should give my computer store first which could be a waste of money. =/
I appreciate any advice. Thank you.

**TriggerFinger** · 05-30-2008, 05:17 PM

hi stegi1,

run some tests on your RAM and HDD. use Memtest86+ and d/load the HDD diag. util from the links on my sig. run the tests and see if there are issues.

post back if you need help on these tools.

stegi1 · 05-31-2008, 12:36 PM

Thanks for your reply, triggerFinger. I have trouble using the Memtest86+ program. Is there a site that gives me instructions?

**TriggerFinger** · 05-31-2008, 07:06 PM

get Memtest86+ using the link on my sig (i believe it is the ISO version of Memtest86+). you will need a burning software like Nero or ImgBurn (see d/load link on my sig). install ImgBurn. Double-click on the Memtest86+ ISO and ImgBurn will burn the image into a blank CD.

once burned into a blank CD, pop that CD in your CD drive and boot from the CD drive. you may need to change your boot order in BIOS settings to be able to boot from CD drive. the test will start automatically.

THINGS to REMEMBER:
1. The test is best if run on individual RAM modules. So if you have 2 RAM sticks installed, remove the other. Do the same to test the other RAM stick.

2. If errors show up during a test of one RAM module, replace the module with a known working RAM.

05-29-2008, 01:00 AM	#1 (permalink)
stegi1 Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 2 OS: XP	Is this problem fixable on my Dell E1505? I bought a Dell Inspiron E1505 two years ago but about 9 months my screen randomly started freezing. At first it only occured about once every two weeks, but gradually the freezes became more frequent. As I play a game, such as Counter Strike while it's plugged in, the screen freezes as I can't move the mouse or do anything. The only solution is to press the Power Button. However, the confusing part is that after I press the Power Button to turn it on again, I can hear the the fan And my harddrive running before they suddenly stop. It sounds like an engine running before a click can be heard which turns it off. IF I am lucky which could be 1 out of 3, or 1 out of 25 attempts, I get to the loading screen BUT then most of the time, the loading screen freezes too. However, sometimes I do manage to turn it on and use my laptop properly with no problems for a period of time. I noticed that After I get in, my laptop doesn't freeze if it's not plugged in. However, the moment I plug it in, the chances of freezes are very high. The problem has been haunting me for the last year. Games have been impossible to play if my laptop is plugged in. I apologize, but I'm not an expert at laptops and my terminology is quite off. My parents would be willing to buy me a new laptop but I don't know if I should give my computer store first which could be a waste of money. =/ I appreciate any advice. Thank you.

05-30-2008, 05:17 PM	#2 (permalink)
TriggerFinger Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: USA Posts: 11,853 OS: Vista SP1, XP SP3, PCLinuxOS2007	Re: Is this problem fixable on my Dell E1505? hi stegi1, run some tests on your RAM and HDD. use Memtest86+ and d/load the HDD diag. util from the links on my sig. run the tests and see if there are issues. post back if you need help on these tools. __________________ DBAN - Memtest86+ - BartPE - Linux LiveCD - ImgBurn - HDD Diags - Disk Copy HOW TO BURN AN ISO FILE

05-31-2008, 12:36 PM	#3 (permalink)
stegi1 Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 2 OS: XP	Re: Is this problem fixable on my Dell E1505? Thanks for your reply, triggerFinger. I have trouble using the Memtest86+ program. Is there a site that gives me instructions?

05-31-2008, 07:06 PM	#4 (permalink)
TriggerFinger Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: USA Posts: 11,853 OS: Vista SP1, XP SP3, PCLinuxOS2007	Re: Is this problem fixable on my Dell E1505? get Memtest86+ using the link on my sig (i believe it is the ISO version of Memtest86+). you will need a burning software like Nero or ImgBurn (see d/load link on my sig). install ImgBurn. Double-click on the Memtest86+ ISO and ImgBurn will burn the image into a blank CD. once burned into a blank CD, pop that CD in your CD drive and boot from the CD drive. you may need to change your boot order in BIOS settings to be able to boot from CD drive. the test will start automatically. THINGS to REMEMBER: 1. The test is best if run on individual RAM modules. So if you have 2 RAM sticks installed, remove the other. Do the same to test the other RAM stick. 2. If errors show up during a test of one RAM module, replace the module with a known working RAM. __________________ DBAN - Memtest86+ - BartPE - Linux LiveCD - ImgBurn - HDD Diags - Disk Copy HOW TO BURN AN ISO FILE