Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

Question

Computer Freezes, ON/OFF Loops, and BSOD's at Random??

Apr 29, 2019 3:42PM PDT

Hello everyone.

In 2013 I bought a pre-built Alienware X-51 R2. It had been doing fine for several years until it started to completely freeze once in a while, requiring me to unplug it. At other times, it would randomly blue screen with different errors like "IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL" or something to do with "paging", then start an endless cycle of turning on, beeping once, then turning back off. Over and over.

Here is an example of that part of the problem:
">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yYK3t8YrHU

This happens randomly, and seems to happen a lot certain days, especially after or while playing games. Sometimes I am able to not have it happen for weeks just by not touching the computer for a while, or taking the computer apart and putting it back together.

A while back I thought it might be that the CPU was getting to Hot, so I applied some new thermal paste to it, where now it is pretty consistently around 60 degrees Celsius. Since then, I've still been having the problem when I use my computer a lot.

It is hard to find the source of this directly since it happens so randomly and sometimes infrequently. I have a feeling it might have something to do with the RAM, PSU, or Mobo from what I've read.


I'll be active here, please help!

System Specs:
-i7-4770
-Nvidia gtx 3gb 1060 GPU
-8gb ram
-kingston 250gb ssd
-external HDD
-standard alienware x51 r2 external PSU
-whatever the stock mobo was
-Windows 10 64bit

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Clarification Request
Have you done any of the following?
Apr 29, 2019 4:32PM PDT

Looked at solved at https://www.google.com/search?q=Alienware+x51+turns+off+and+on&gl=US

1. Do the generic reset at https://www.dell.com/community/Alienware-General-Read-Only/Alienware-X51-Turns-On-and-Off/td-p/5537445
2. Reseat internal connections? Noted at other discussions which is power off, removed then unplug, plug in connections in the case. Includes the RAM.
3. Try it without the 1060. Noted at https://www.dell.com/community/Alienware-General-Read-Only/Alienware-X51-Turns-on-then-off/td-p/5622326

- Collapse -
Will Try
Apr 29, 2019 7:43PM PDT

If the error occurs again, I will definitely Re-seat the internal connections and clear the cmos. If that doesnt work, I will consider buying new RAM. I just wish there was a way to tell if there is a hardware issue with my Mobo.