Laptop freeze ups- Hardware - software - somehitng else??

jasno999 · Rated NC-17 Joined: 17 May 2006 Posts: 122 Location: PA

So far I do like my new dell laptop. Again just for reference I got the Dell E1505 with 2GHz Duo processor, 1GB RAM and 100GB hard drive.

I have noticed that when I use my GPS software (Streets and trips 2006) and when I use ITUNES and connect my IPOD I seem to get freeze ups on my computer.

Example on the GPS software everything seems to work fine but then all of a sudden a 45mins in the map starts to lag out and the screen freezes up. I think the GPS is still working but the display stops updating and when I try to close it or click on something it takes forever for it to happen or it just never happens.

Same thing with ITUNES. When I try to grab all of my files and move them into my IPOD directory so that they will be copied over from the computer to the IPOD it basically just freezes up totally and I have to close out of itunes using control alt delete. Part of the ITUNES issue might be due to the fact that the actual songs exist on my desktop computer hard drive and I have them in my ITUNES player basically as linked files on the laptop. But still it just seems like there is not enough RAM or processing power to actually grab every song and move it. IT can do groups of 20 songs or so ok but more than that and it lags out.

I don't know what the deal is. Maybe it is just the world of laptops and how they work. But I thought for sure that this laptop would be faster and better than my old out of date desktop. But it does not seem that way. I can't tell if it has to do with the hardware or if this is some type of software issue. Maybe there are things running in the background that I don't see or know are running....

I just want it to work smooth. I could understand if I was running multiple programs at the same time but when I am using GPS and it is the only thing working why the heck would I see it start to get laggy after 30-45 mins of use???

Blue|Fusion · Posted: Tue, 13 Jun 2006 15:09:58 Post Subject:

Sounds like a USB controller/driver issue. I'm assuming your GPS connects by USB, too. Ensure everything's up to date and get the latest USB drivers for your iPod and GPS.

jasno999 · Rated NC-17 Joined: 17 May 2006 Posts: 122 Location: PA

The GPS could be that but I doubt it. The drivers were installed with the disk that came with the software and the GPS receiver. Like I said it seems liek the GPS is still workign and I will still get voice commands btu the screen freezes up and locks on me.

As for the ITUNES the actual transfer of songs is great. TI is super fast and causes no problems. The issue lies in trying to grab all of the songs from my library and drag them over to my IPOD. The act of grabbign all of them and draggign them all is too much for the computer to handle it seems.....

BeerCheeze · Posted: Wed, 14 Jun 2006 01:09:28 Post Subject:

Check for driver, or BIOS updates from Dell (don't assume just because it's new it doesn't need updates).

jasno999 · Rated NC-17 Joined: 17 May 2006 Posts: 122 Location: PA

How the heck do I check out BIOS and or driver updates from DELL?

Remember I am like the 3 year old that need the most basic of explanation.

By the way do you guys/girls reccomend downloading and installing all of the new microsoft updates as they come out?

mrweasel · Posted: Wed, 14 Jun 2006 08:58:12 Post Subject:

go to support.dell.com and put in your service tag then go to drivers and downloads. FlashBIOS updates should be somewhere on the list as well as drivers. Sadly the USB driver updates will come from MS.

BeerCheeze · Posted: Wed, 14 Jun 2006 12:47:04 Post Subject:

Like He says. Also, new laptop.. Call Dell if you need help.

As for updates from MS. Don't install them, if you like your system hacked, and infected with viruses/trojans/spyware/etc... (My smart a$$ way of saying yes, update every time MS sends out an update)

jasno999 · Rated NC-17 Joined: 17 May 2006 Posts: 122 Location: PA

Again I am confusted.

So I should get all of the critical MS updates????

In the past when I have done this opn my desktop it seemed to F-everything up. Did it to two computers. SO it scares me to do an MS update. I think it is Bill Gate's way of ruining our computers so he can sell more new software.

**Doctor Feelgood** · Posted: Wed, 14 Jun 2006 14:46:58 Post Subject:

Yes - keep the system current with patches, etc... Grin

LaTech · Posted: Wed, 14 Jun 2006 16:07:08 Post Subject:

The updates (while having the potential to hose up to 1% of the PC population) are really designed to PROTECT your PC. Do it...do it...