Computer problems.....minor rant.

[rdcl]

So, for the past few months I've been having a strange problem with my computer. Stranger still......the problem only seems to present itself when I access two websites: Facebook & IMDB.

I'm not very computer savvy so bear with me here....

The problem is this: Suddenly the screen will go black.....then it will momentarily turn blue (with white script)....but before I can even read anything on the blue screen.....it quickly goes black again and then the computer reboots itself and everything goes back to normal. I then get a message box saying :

"ATI display driver has stopped working, but has recovered"

I have NO idea what that even means!

Last night it happened so I decided to call Dell tech support. They ran a diagnostic check from their end and determined that my problem is a software issue ...NOT a hardware issue and that they can fix it on their end, but since my computer is out of warranty it'll cost me 129.00 to have a tech do something called: "remote access".....in which he will take control of my machine from afar!

Amazing I say! "Lets do it!" I pay the $129.00.....I then watch in amazement as a ghost takes over control of my computer and begins doing all kinds of things I cannot even comprehend.

The process takes just over an hour or so......all the while I am on my phone with the guy as he explains what he is doing.....some of which I do not understand......but then I am not a computer tech.

When the process is all done he says he will send me an email next week to confirm everything is working ok , and to email him if any problems arise.

Well. Well Well Well! Here I am the next morning and as soon as I go on facebook to look at pictures my daughter posted....BOOM! the problem is still there.

Right away I call Dell and politely demand a refund for the service I purchased last night. I read the woman my order ref # and she applogizes that the issue was not fixed and that my cc will be credited for the purchase.

I've decided I'm just going to put up with this computer issue until I take the machine to a local tech....OR....wait until the computer fails completely.....then buy a new machine.

No questions to ask here, as I say just a minor rant

(Opinions welcome if you have them)

Russ

 

[Muss Muggins]

Your graphics card (the thing that lets you see stuff on your screen) is failing.

 

[Arik]

I don't know if it's hardware or software but ATI is a graphics card.

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

 

[rdcl]

Your graphics card (the thing that lets you see stuff on your screen) is failing.

But the strange thing is.....is that I can spend many hours here at the S&W forum with zero problems......but as soon as I go to Facebook......every time I go to FB....the problem occurs within a few minutes!

....needles to say...I'm just gonna stay away from FB.
Russ

 

[Muss Muggins]

But the strange thing is.....is that I can spend many hours here at the S&W forum with zero problems......but as soon as I go to Facebook......every time I go to FB....the problems occurs within a few minutes!

....needles to say...I'm just gonna stay away from FB.
Russ

Different websites utilize graphics in different ways, but sooner or later it's going to fail completely. Back when I had a job, our IT guys would test the internet connection by having us hit Google, because it has one of the simplest home pages in existence. You can't do a search with a poor connection, but the page will come up if you have any bandwidth at all.

 

[Kanewpadle]

When was the last time you removed the cover on your CPU and cleaned it? Some, not all but some graphics cards have their own cooling fan. If it's dirty the graphics card can get hot slowing it down. Same for cooling fan on your main processor.

In general overheating can slow your computer down. Use the cans of compressed air. But DON'T turn the can upside down! Read the directions.

And check the driver for your video card and make sure it's up to date.

 

[Kanewpadle]

Also, if it's an intermittent problem Dell won't be able to find it so save your money.

Worst case is you may have to replace your video/graphics card. Easy to do unless it's built in to the motherboard. But most late model mother boards come with a "socket" to plug in a new card.

If you're not savvy then take it somewhere to have it done.

 

[bigwheelzip]

Since it's only two websites that cause the glitch, it sounds software related. AMD has an extensive list of possibilities, though I'd look at the group that's software/driver related for your particular issue.

How to troubleshoot "Display driver stopped responding and has recovered", ATIKMDAG.sys type errors


The Dell laptops that I've worked on for the last decade, have a partition with the original operating system configuration on it. This partition can be used to put the system back to the state it was in when new. I've restored a few computers that way. The user manual has instructions to restore it this way.
If you do restore it, make sure all your personal files are backed up, and be aware that any programs you added will go away, and need to be re-installed, and all updates to Windows and your programs will also need to be made.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

I recently bought a cheaper Dell with integrated graphics.
I happened to have a graphics card, installed that little beauty and away we go!
The integrated graphics uses your motherboard RAM.
So if you don't have much RAM anyway, the site you go to is graphics heavy, Motherboard wants RAM, Graphics wants RAM, Wam, Bam, Thank you ma'am !
***! We is out of RAM.
Then out the lights, the party's over!

 

[rdcl]

but sooner or later it's going to fail completely.

Yes. The woman at Dell told me exactly that, which is why I went ahead and paid for the work last night thinking (hoping) it would be fixed.

I'm at least happy they are going to refund my 129.00 since it was not fixed. As soon as the issue happened earlier this morning I thought I just blew 129.00 for nothing!

It would appear then that Dell is incorrect.....that it IS a hardware issue after all.

Russ

 

[rdcl]

When was the last time you removed the cover on your CPU and cleaned it?

Last month I carefully cleaned all dust inside & out. I do it once a year.

Russ

 

[bigwheelzip]

Here is the dell factory image restore instructions.

If you do it, back up your personal files to a location off the computer.

How to restore the Dell factory image with Dell Backup and Recovery | Dell US

 

[rdcl]

I'm considering the Hal-9000 option.

If you've seen "2001: A Space Odyssey".....you know what that is.

....simply wait for it to fail completely.....then take it to a tech or buy a new machine. My thinking is that an intermittent problem might be difficult to find. I mean, Dell's tech couldn't fix it last night even. Granted it was remote access...but you'd think those guys are at the top of their game.


Russ

 

[bigwheelzip]

Oh yeah, that's the best option!

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qnd-hdmgfk[/ame]

 

[captorquewrench]

The message you get said the driver to the card failed. Driver is the software that makes the hardware work. Search for a device driver update and install any updates or fixes available. If you don't it will eventually damage the hardware and completely fail, at best.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[venomballistics]

what you describe is what we call the BSOD
Blue Screen Of Death.
the most common reason for a BSOD is flaked out memory, and yes, a graphics cars does have some of its own memory.

I advise anyone who has a computer to crack it open, take a deep breath and study up on its various card slots.
with that bit of knowledge, you can swap out the offending card and be done with this issue within minutes.
anyone short of a quadriplegic can do it.
Your lack of knowledge didn't cost you $129 ... your fear did.
once you get past the fear of the thunder in the box, the actual remaining complexity is similar to changing a blown fuse

 

[Kanewpadle]

what you describe is what we call the BSOD
Blue Screen Of Death.
the most common reason for a BSOD is flaked out memory, and yes, a graphics cars does have some of its own memory.

I advise anyone who has a computer to crack it open, take a deep breath and study up on its various card slots.
with that bit of knowledge, you can swap out the offending card and be done with this issue within minutes.
anyone short of a quadriplegic can do it.
Your lack of knowledge didn't cost you $129 ... your fear did.
once you get past the fear of the thunder in the box, the actual remaining complexity is similar to changing a blown fuse

It isn't always that easy. If the video card is built into the motherboard then no it cannot be replaced. But if there is an open slot for an additional/upgrade video card then yes.

And that's assuming his computer will recognize the new card without having to make it do so.

And then there are the small space saving computers with small cases. Not all video cards will fit.

 

[venomballistics]

It isn't always that easy. If the video card is built into the motherboard then no it cannot be replaced. But if there is an open slot for an additional/upgrade video card then yes.

And that's assuming his computer will recognize the new card without having to make it do so.

And then there are the small space saving computers with small cases. Not all video cards will fit.

Yeah it is.
If the graphics card is integrated with the motherboard, you have been ripped off and suckered into a disposable pc.
If no open slot exists, junk it and replace the whole box.
If an open slot does exist, the new card usually overrides the old one and works as a bypass. Display is treated with higher priority at design time since it absolutely has to work, even if it is at a reduced capacity.

Now if the stock card is in a slot .... outstanding. Learn what type of slot it is and find one like it.

Now, while you're in there, look at everything.
Find the processor. Study how it's installed and while you're at it, pick the dust bunnies out of there.
Find your RAM. See how it just snaps into the slot with those nifty clips at the ends.
Find the main power plug to the mother board. Notice how it's keyed so that it cannot be plugged in wrong. In fact, poke around and see how nearly everything is keyed for safety.
Wait .... mobo, RAM, card slots, and power ... finish the exploration with a good look at the drives ....
now head over to Newegg and build your own honest, no excuses machine and forget this Dell issue ever happened.

 

[ParadiseRoad]

The message you get said the driver to the card failed. Driver is the software that makes the hardware work. Search for a device driver update and install any updates or fixes available. If you don't it will eventually damage the hardware and completely fail, at best.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

...I agree...try downloading the graphics card driver software from Dell...or the graphics card maker...

 

[JcMack]

I'll try this one more time. I've got half a dozen Dells right now. Read us the Dell model # or better yet the service # (alpha and numerical string)tag on the back of the PC. The Dell WS will tell us exactly what was in it when it left the factory, and what expansion slots are available for boards like video, sound, etc.. We'll be able too see the case size so you order the right height board.