Dell Laptop with Vista freezes/locks up randomly

CAFanTom · 03-12-2008, 04:51 PM

Hello,

I have a Dell Inspiron 1501 laptop that came with Windows Vista Premium. At random, unexpected times when I am on it, the whole computer locks up and the screen freezes. The mouse pointer doesn't move. The keyboard locks up. Like I said, it happens unexpectedly and I have no idea why. But here are some things I noticed when this has happened and hopefully you can analyze what I should do to fix this problem. First off, I notice, and I'm not sure the technical name for it, that the outlined cylinder icon that is in line with the power icon and battery icon in the bottom right hand corner of the physical, monitor boarder, does not flash green in spurts like it normally does (which I'm guessing the reason it does is because programs are running in the background). In does not highlight at all, although the power icon is still outlined green. So it is like the lights are on but nobody's home. The second thing I notice is that many times after this happens, the internal fan kicks on to high speed. This I feel is because the internal components are overheated. Is this true? If so, how do I fix this problem or the overall problem of this lockup, if you have any idea what might be it's cause. Thanks very much.

-Tom

**sobeit** · 03-12-2008, 04:56 PM

how much ram do you have?

CAFanTom · 03-12-2008, 06:05 PM

You know what, I think that might be the problem because I kept hearing from different sources that Vista needs at leat 1 GB if not 2 GB to run and I only have 894 MB. Do you think that's the problem. And let me just add one more deduction I noticed. This problem does not seem to happen when I am in Safe Mode. Is there any reason for that?

**sobeit** · 03-12-2008, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CAFanTom

You know what, I think that might be the problem because I kept hearing from different sources that Vista needs at leat 1 GB if not 2 GB to run and I only have 894 MB. Do you think that's the problem. And let me just add one more deduction I noticed. This problem does not seem to happen when I am in Safe Mode. Is there any reason for that?

its best to have 2 gigs of ram for vista. Looks like you have 1 gig but part of it is going towards video.

When your system is in safemode, only necessary items is running in the background. Most of the heavy duty memory using programs are not running.

As far as if adding more ram will help, you will have a better running machine. My first suggestion would be to shut down anything thats running in the background you do not need.

CAFanTom · 03-12-2008, 06:39 PM

I'm not exactly sure what all the things running in the background do. I don't want to shut off anything that will affect what I do personally with my computer, like maybe something that is supposed to be running to make sure that what I am doing is functioning, but it does it indirectly, like it supplements another program that makes it directly work, if you know what I'm saying. Also, are these "things in the background" found in the task manager, like the processes. If so, do you mind taking a look at what is running in the background and suggest to me what I should stop running. Here is the list that is currently running right now: look at attachment. Thanks

**jcgriff2** · 03-13-2008, 01:12 PM

Hi. . .

Your attachment only referenced "Processes" within Task Manager and not "Applications" or "Services".

I will be glad to look at your list if you can provide these three tabs of information via attachments on your next post. I do believe, however, that the overall memory savings will be minimal and do advise you to follow the recommendations of the Hardware experts that have preceded me here in this thread. I can tell you that I would not consider purchasing a Vista system today without 2GB, 1048MB, RAM installed.

Regards. . .

jcgriff2

CAFanTom · 03-13-2008, 02:00 PM

My application is only Mozilla Firefox. The services are a pretty long list, so there are a few pictures to look at.

sjstays · 03-16-2008, 10:49 AM

hi is the issue is still un resolved, then i will sugest u utilise the PC restore feature in the dell laptop. u ned to restart the laptop and at the dell logo screen start tapping F8. an advanced boot options menu will cpmeup and u wil get an option of "repair my computer" . selcet the option and in the next screen u will get an option to slect the US keyboard lay out. in the next screen select ur username and passwrd. then it will gv u 6 options. selct the last option: dell factor image restore. click on it and follow the on screen instructions. WARNING!!! this is equivalent to OS reinstallation.. so ur data will get deleted.

try this and let us know.
all the best.

03-12-2008, 04:51 PM	#1 (permalink)
CAFanTom Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 15 OS: Windows XP Media Center Edition Version 2002 Service Pack 2	Dell Laptop with Vista freezes/locks up randomly Hello, I have a Dell Inspiron 1501 laptop that came with Windows Vista Premium. At random, unexpected times when I am on it, the whole computer locks up and the screen freezes. The mouse pointer doesn't move. The keyboard locks up. Like I said, it happens unexpectedly and I have no idea why. But here are some things I noticed when this has happened and hopefully you can analyze what I should do to fix this problem. First off, I notice, and I'm not sure the technical name for it, that the outlined cylinder icon that is in line with the power icon and battery icon in the bottom right hand corner of the physical, monitor boarder, does not flash green in spurts like it normally does (which I'm guessing the reason it does is because programs are running in the background). In does not highlight at all, although the power icon is still outlined green. So it is like the lights are on but nobody's home. The second thing I notice is that many times after this happens, the internal fan kicks on to high speed. This I feel is because the internal components are overheated. Is this true? If so, how do I fix this problem or the overall problem of this lockup, if you have any idea what might be it's cause. Thanks very much. -Tom

03-12-2008, 04:56 PM	#2 (permalink)
sobeit Mentor Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: NEAR Posts: 4,821 OS: windows/linux	Re: Dell Laptop with Vista freezes/locks up randomly how much ram do you have? __________________ Do not feed the trolls.

03-12-2008, 06:05 PM	#3 (permalink)
CAFanTom Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 15 OS: Windows XP Media Center Edition Version 2002 Service Pack 2	Re: Dell Laptop with Vista freezes/locks up randomly You know what, I think that might be the problem because I kept hearing from different sources that Vista needs at leat 1 GB if not 2 GB to run and I only have 894 MB. Do you think that's the problem. And let me just add one more deduction I noticed. This problem does not seem to happen when I am in Safe Mode. Is there any reason for that?

03-13-2008, 01:12 PM	#6 (permalink)
jcgriff2 Moderator, Microsoft Support Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: New Jersey, USA Posts: 3,622 OS: Vista x64 SP1/ x86 SP1, XP Pro SP3, XP Home SP2, XP Media, Win 95, DOS, IBM 390 TSO/ISPF My System	Re: Dell Laptop with Vista freezes/locks up randomly Hi. . . Your attachment only referenced "Processes" within Task Manager and not "Applications" or "Services". I will be glad to look at your list if you can provide these three tabs of information via attachments on your next post. I do believe, however, that the overall memory savings will be minimal and do advise you to follow the recommendations of the Hardware experts that have preceded me here in this thread. I can tell you that I would not consider purchasing a Vista system today without 2GB, 1048MB, RAM installed. Regards. . . jcgriff2 __________________ SysInternals Suite • BSOD Bugchecks • Media Fire • Belarc Advisor • MS TechNet • MS NTDE/CPR MSDN Err Cds • Everest • CCleaner • Memtest86+ • MS Help & Support Live SysInternals AutoRuns • Auslogics Defrag • McAfee RT • Norton RT • Kaspersky RT If you were expecting a reply from me and I have not yet done so, please send me a PM with a link to your thread.

03-16-2008, 10:49 AM	#8 (permalink)
sjstays Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 21 OS: WIN xp Sp2	Re: Dell Laptop with Vista freezes/locks up randomly hi is the issue is still un resolved, then i will sugest u utilise the PC restore feature in the dell laptop. u ned to restart the laptop and at the dell logo screen start tapping F8. an advanced boot options menu will cpmeup and u wil get an option of "repair my computer" . selcet the option and in the next screen u will get an option to slect the US keyboard lay out. in the next screen select ur username and passwrd. then it will gv u 6 options. selct the last option: dell factor image restore. click on it and follow the on screen instructions. WARNING!!! this is equivalent to OS reinstallation.. so ur data will get deleted. try this and let us know. all the best.