laptop freezing

[polygonmouse]

My laptop has been acting strange lately.
GPU can idle 75-80 degrees C
I get freezes when I play games, anything from Diablo 2 to CoD 4
Some days it runs fine, others I cant get 5 minutes into a game without a freeze.
Any suggestions would be much appreciated, here is an Everest summary of my laptop.



EVEREST SUMMARY:
Field Value
Computer
Computer Type ACPI x86-based PC (Mobile)
Operating System Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium
OS Service Pack Service Pack 2
Internet Explorer 8.0.6001.18828
DirectX DirectX 10.1
Computer Name POLYGONMOUSE-PC
User Name Polygon Mouse
Logon Domain PolygonMouse-PC
Date / Time 2009-11-16 / 19:40

Motherboard
CPU Type Mobile DualCore Intel Core 2 Duo T9300, 2500 MHz (12.5 x 200)
Motherboard Name Alienware m15x
Motherboard Chipset Intel Crestline-GM GM965
System Memory 3072 MB (DDR2-667 DDR2 SDRAM)
DIMM1: Elpida EBE21UE8ACUA-6E-E 2 GB DDR2-667 DDR2 SDRAM (5-5-5-15 @ 333 MHz) (4-4-4-12 @ 266 MHz) (3-3-3-9 @ 200 MHz)
DIMM3: Elpida EBE21UE8ACUA-6E-E 2 GB DDR2-667 DDR2 SDRAM (5-5-5-15 @ 333 MHz) (4-4-4-12 @ 266 MHz) (3-3-3-9 @ 200 MHz)
BIOS Type Phoenix (08/29/08)

Display
Video Adapter NVIDIA GeForce 9800M GT (512 MB)
Video Adapter NVIDIA GeForce 9800M GT (512 MB)
3D Accelerator nVIDIA GeForce 9800M GT
Monitor Generic PnP Monitor [NoDB]

Multimedia
Audio Adapter Realtek ALC889A @ Intel 82801HBM ICH8M - High Definition Audio Controller

Storage
IDE Controller Intel(R) 82801HEM/HBM SATA AHCI Controller
IDE Controller Intel(R) ICH8M Ultra ATA Storage Controllers - 2850
IDE Controller Ricoh Memory Stick Controller
IDE Controller Ricoh SD/MMC Host Controller
IDE Controller Ricoh xD-Picture Card Controller
Storage Controller AYQIV3R4 IDE Controller
Storage Controller Intel(R) Turbo Memory Controller
Storage Controller MagicISO SCSI Host Controller
Storage Controller Microsoft iSCSI Initiator
Disk Drive IMD-0 (513 MB, IDE)
Disk Drive ST9320421ASG (320 GB, 7200 RPM, SATA-II)
Optical Drive HYD 3KX6V8X SCSI CdRom Device
Optical Drive MagicISO Virtual DVD-ROM0000
Optical Drive Optiarc DVD RW AD-7590A ATA Device (DVD+R9:6x, DVD-R9:6x, DVD+RW:8x/8x, DVD-RW:8x/6x, DVD-RAM:5x, DVD-ROM:8x, CD:24x/24x/24x DVD+RW/DVD-RW/DVD-RAM)
SMART Hard Disks Status FAIL

Partitions
C: (NTFS) 289.5 GB (128.2 GB free)
Total Size 289.5 GB (128.2 GB free)

Input
Keyboard HID Keyboard Device
Keyboard Microsoft eHome MCIR 109 Keyboard
Keyboard Microsoft eHome MCIR Keyboard
Keyboard Microsoft eHome Remote Control Keyboard keys
Keyboard Standard PS/2 Keyboard
Mouse HID-compliant mouse
Mouse HID-compliant mouse
Mouse Synaptics PS/2 Port TouchPad

Network
Primary IP Address 192.168.1.2
Primary MAC Address 00-21-5C-87-DD-71
Network Adapter Broadcom NetLink (TM) Gigabit Ethernet
Network Adapter Intel(R) Wireless WiFi Link 4965AGN (192.168.1.2)

Peripherals
Printer HP Deskjet 3920/3940
Printer Microsoft XPS Document Writer
Printer Send To OneNote 2007
FireWire Controller Agere IEEE1394 FireWire Controller
Infrared Controller Microsoft eHome Infrared Transceiver
USB1 Controller Intel 82801HBM ICH8M - USB Universal Host Controller
USB1 Controller Intel 82801HBM ICH8M - USB Universal Host Controller
USB1 Controller Intel 82801HBM ICH8M - USB Universal Host Controller
USB1 Controller Intel 82801HBM ICH8M - USB Universal Host Controller
USB1 Controller Intel 82801HBM ICH8M - USB Universal Host Controller
USB2 Controller Intel 82801HBM ICH8M - USB2 Enhanced Host Controller
USB2 Controller Intel 82801HBM ICH8M - USB2 Enhanced Host Controller
USB Device Alienware Integrated Webcam
USB Device USB Composite Device
USB Device USB Composite Device
USB Device USB Human Interface Device
USB Device USB Human Interface Device
USB Device USB Human Interface Device
Battery Microsoft AC Adapter
Battery Microsoft ACPI-Compliant Control Method Battery
Battery Microsoft ACPI-Compliant Control Method Battery

DMI
DMI BIOS Vendor Quanta
DMI BIOS Version vX36 P3
DMI System Manufacturer Alienware
DMI System Product m15x
DMI System Version Not Applicable
DMI System Serial Number
DMI System UUID 414C4945-30001030-8031B0C0-4F373338
DMI Motherboard Manufacturer Alienware
DMI Motherboard Product m15x
DMI Motherboard Version Not Applicable
DMI Motherboard Serial Number
DMI Chassis Manufacturer Alienware
DMI Chassis Version N/A
DMI Chassis Serial Number None
DMI Chassis Asset Tag
DMI Chassis Type

 

[KSoD]

Have you got any sort of laptop cooling pad to put under neath the laptop to try and help keep it cool?

 

[phlashman]

This sounds like an obvious overheating problem... (a real issue with laptops), especially if you work them hard. Get a can of air and blow out the area where you're vents are on the machine. It doesn't take much to clog up the intake. Mak213 suggestion is a valid one, if not that then try this. Get a glass of ice and set it next to the intake vent while you play, either way make sure you blow it out good...sounds crazy I know, but it works.

 

[Alvin.C]

Hi,

How long ago did you purchase your m15x?
What BIOS version do you have?
Have you updated to the latest BIOS version?
Is it still under warranty?

Some Alienware m15x laptops with older BIOS versions were known to have GPU overheating issues (and therefore performance issues due to GPU throttling) because of the speed of the fan that was set in the software thermal profile.

Below are some resources about this problem, and where you can go to download and upgrade to the latest BIOS version if you haven't done so already:

Reports of the problem:
Alienware m15x BIOS Fix Coming for Overheating Problem
Alienware Area-51 m15x owners outraged by overheating, cracking issues -- Engadget

Fix:
Alienware Area-51 m15x BIOS Update Released
Alienware : The Best Custom Built Gaming PC for the Ultimate PC Gamer!

The fix increased the maximum RPM of the fan which it could operate at, thereby reducing the GPU temperature, and the tendency for it to throttle. Also, follow the advice already given.

If your laptop is still under warranty, it is a good idea to have it sent in for diagnostics/repair.