Sager 5796 freezing

[dfan]

Yesterday I received a Sager 5796 with Vista Ultimate 64-bit. The computer has completely frozen (mouse doesn't move, Alt-Ctrl-Del has no effect) three times in the six hours or so that I have been using it. Another slightly alarming data point is that when I turned it on for the very first time it told me that Windows had not been shut down cleanly.

I ran the Memory Diagnostics Tool and it ran with no problems.

Is there anything else I should try before I return the computer? I'd much rather try to fix the problem that send it back, but it isn't looking good.

[Jrock15]

The fact that it was not shut down properly is mostly caused by you clicking the power button when it freezes.

I run windows xp and they recently released a new service pack. I know you are running vista, but have you checked Windows Update on your computer to ensure everything is up to date?

Let me know.

[Captainhook]

I'm having a similar problem with the same model and Vista 64. But what happens to me is that occasionally mine will randomly reset and reboot with the "unexpected shutdown" start up sequence. A couple of times it has just cycled crashing during start-up and rebooting. All of my windows updates were up to date... I think I might try reformatting with the Vista recovery disk and all the drivers from Sager website. Would suck to have a hardware problem with a band new machine.

[dfan]

To clarify, when I said it told me that Windows had not been shut down cleanly when I turned it on for the very first time, I really meant the very first time; this was when I powered it up after taking it out of the box.

I have checked that I am fully up to date with Windows Update.

I will probably try reinstalling Vista from scratch if it is clear that I can do so without affecting my ability to return the machine.

It's a little worrying that Captainhook is having a similar problem (although the particulars of our hardware might be different).

[Zatara214]

Yeah, if you guys know how to reinstall Vista, that's exactly what I'd do. Drivers are on the Cd/Sager site, installation should be a breeze.

[robamb2002]

I agree, a fresh start may just solve your problems. I know I had to reinstall within a month of purchase just because it was my first time in vista and I pushed the limits of the OS a little to far :)

[Captainhook]

Im going to give that a try.. but I have a feeling I have a hardware problem.. bad memory or board or something

[Zatara214]

Im going to give that a try.. but I have a feeling I have a hardware problem.. bad memory or board or something

You've gotta think that hardly EVER happens... not saying its not POSSIBLE, but still... I would suggest, if you really want to make sure its not your hardware, two things.

1. Get a live Linux CD and run it for a little while. If it crashes, it's the hardware.

2. If Linux crashes, download the Ultimate Boot CD, and test each one of your hardware components individually. The most likely candidate is the memory, but just to make sure, test everything.

I have solved every single hardware problem I have ever had like that, so it should work for you :)

[Captainhook]

Ok, Im using Ultimate Boot CD to try and figure out if I have a hardware problem. There's an awful lot of tools on this CD, any advise as to which ones I should run?

[Captainhook]

More bad news...

So I used the Vista recovery disk to reinstall. First of all it rebooted unxpectedly duringn install once, 2nd time in froze right at the end and reset to previous windows. 3rd time I booted off the DVD drive, formatted then installed and it worked, however as I was creating my first user account in reset.

Now Im installing drivers off the driver CD and everytime I click on install the audio drivers it crashes and reboots..

Any advice on this?

Event logs say I have errors ID 10 caused by WMI and 15016 HttpEvent involving kerberos security package..

Thanks

[dfan]

I'm sorry Captainhook is still having problems, but I'm happy to report that after a clean reinstall I've had no problems all weekend, probably about 15 hours total, certainly a good sign after it originally froze 3 times in 6 hours. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

As promised here, reinstallation was a breeze.

[Zatara214]

Ok, Im using Ultimate Boot CD to try and figure out if I have a hardware problem. There's an awful lot of tools on this CD, any advise as to which ones I should run?

Use the memory tester first. As for which one you use, I don't really think it matters, they're all testers, some people just have preferences.

[dfan]

I'm sorry Captainhook is still having problems, but I'm happy to report that after a clean reinstall I've had no problems all weekend, probably about 15 hours total, certainly a good sign after it originally froze 3 times in 6 hours. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

As promised here, reinstallation was a breeze.
I spoke too soon. It just froze again, same symptoms. Guess I'll be sending it back.

[dfan]

Just to give an update, in case anyone with similar problems finds this thread via searching, I sent the machine back for repair, they replaced the motherboard, and it has been totally fine since.

[Justin_W@XoticPC]

I'm glad to hear of the good news and that everything has been worked out :D