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March 13th, 2008, 10:08 PM
#1
XP or Dell driver problems
Hi,
This might be an XP or Dell problem, I'm not sure.
My poor old laptop needs to survive just a few more months until I get my tuition reimbursement for fall. It's a Dell Inspiron 5100 with that damn Radeon Mobility thing.
Video isn't working, and the computer just decides to shut off once in awhile at random. It isn't the heat--the computer never shuts itself off unless video or music is playing, never any other time. But I need to use some video and music stuff for the end of this semester, so I need to get this fixed.
I don't think this is a virus or hijack problem. It's probably hardware or drivers. The Dell website didn't offer much help. Can anyone lend a hand?
Thanks,
Dan
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March 14th, 2008, 04:24 AM
#2
Driver Terrier
Welcome to Windrivers Danny
Dell support and drivers are usually pretty good - what's the service tag on the laptop?
Never, ever approach a computer saying or even thinking "I will just do this quickly."
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March 14th, 2008, 06:37 PM
#3
reboot and try pressing F12 when you see the 'dell' logo... this should take you to a dell diagnostic partition. test the motherboard and video and let us know the results
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March 16th, 2008, 07:33 AM
#4
Registered User
Originally Posted by danny_2
... It isn't the heat--the computer never shuts itself off unless video or music is playing, never any other time.
This might be related to heat after all - while playing music or Video (especially using windows media player - which is very poorly written IMHO) your CPU might get overheated. first do a burn in test - http://www.passmark.com/products/bit.htm
second - try using VLC (very light video player) in order to play your media files.
Last but not least - If my memory serves me well - mobile radeon graphic card has "power play" in order to conserve CPU power - try to see the settings there.
Good Luck,
Gabriel
Real stupidity beats Artifical Intelligence
Avatar courtesy of A D E P T
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