T410 2516CTO random freezes without anything in Windows Event Viewer! :( [ Edited ]

[hubertlam]

I used Update Retriever + Thin Installer (virtually System Update 4.0 but a server + client version of it) to download drivers and install Windows 7 Ultimate x64 with SP1 on this machine. A hard power off is required by pressing on the power button for 5+ seconds

Core i7 620M

8GB RAM

320GB 7.2k rpm HDD

Optimus graphics

Gobi2000 WWAN

uPek Fingerprint reader

The machine freezes without any warning and has done so with both the factory install (more frequent) and with the HDD wiped and using Microsoft's Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 x64 slipstreamed (freezes much less frequently). Are there tools that I can use to help diagnose this problem?

I have also used a 90W AC adaptor and 65W adaptor on this machine. The random freezes happen on either adaptor as well.

I read of other people who have the same frustrations over freezes but no other situation described is exactly the same as mine unfortunately -- most other occasions you can find something in Windows Event Viewer!!

[ColonelONeill]

Try an Ubuntu LiveUSB and see if it freezes in there too to rule out hardware issues.

[Ideasmiths]

How about running full Lenovo Toolbox diagnostic on the system and see if it is motherboard, CPU or memory fault.

Take out one of the memory card to see if sympton occurs, take out the other one test again, swap locations test again......

[b_wind]

my T410s CTO aslo got this issue, it makes me crazy!

[hubertlam]

The problem is that it hangs so randomly I can't even predict when it will crash!

I've done a ThinkVantage Toolbox system full test & also system stress test. No negative results

[hubertlam]

hmmm... it looks like a BIOS update was released 2 weeks ago yet I didn't get around to install that.

The freezing seems to have disappeared after a BIOS update. Is it possible for the BIOS to play up like this?!?

Update: jinxed myself. Froze again just then after using it without a network cable attached (wireless). I have Wifi Link 6300.

Could it be with the wireless? Where I am at work I am always on the wireless and never plugged into the wired LAN. The freezing is far more frequent there.

It could be the wireless, as it hangs more often than having it plugged into the wired LAN. However, it locked up twice last night when hooked up to wired LAN.

The last resort is to see whether it's the Intel HD graphics or Discrete graphics or Optimus that's causing the problems.....

Update: 8/3/2011 -- using discrete graphics only with OS detection for Optimus disabled.

When the freezes occur, the screen is not corrupt or blue screen. Anyone care to say it's a driver or worse still a memory problem somewhere?

[hubertlam]

Update 14/3: Uninstalled AVG Business Edition 2011 and Client Security Solution. It seems to have made the freezing go away.

However today it locked up once again -- whilst typing into a text box in Firefox 3.6.15 (no Java/Flash running) and had Outlook 2010 running whilst connected to a WiFi network. Unfortunately it seems to lock up more often when on the wireless though it has locked up whilst plugged into ethernet.

Still nobody else with similar issues?

Edit 20110316: I found out that my Update Retriever database was quite out of date and Access Connections was actually 5.62 rather than 5.72.

Downloaded the new 5.72 version of Access Connections, and the machine has not locked up in 3 days already. That could be the issue. Will update the post whenever I get more results!

[hubertlam · Accepted solution]

Hi again

Found out that it was the Intel WiFi 6300 that was locking the machine. Disabled it via h/w switch or BIOS made the freezing disappear altogether.

So there we go. A once off incident of a failed 6300 WLAN card.

[Cleo_Lenovo Administrator]

hubertlam,

Glad that you got it solved. But do you not need the wifi? What is your wireless card driver version?

Cleo

[hubertlam]

Hi Cleo

It was definitely the latest from Lenovo's System Update -- 13.4.0.9

IBM in Australia has quickly replaced the faulty part and now it's installed and functional -- without locking up!

Thanks