lock up on p6730f , Widnows 7 Ultimate 64 bit

[gbrewster]

Problem is that the screen displays a series of multi colored bars and locks up.  The only recovery is a hard reboot.  Does not happen with any one program.  No sequence of events preceed the lock up that would present a pattern.  Help!

[HardBeatZ]

Hello gbrewster,

Are you able to boot into safe mode? Does the monitor display the colored bars immediately after start up or does it take some time?

Sounds like to me it may be the video card that is having the problems. 

We can try reinstalling the drivers (if we can).

1. Navigate to Control Panel

2. Select System and Security

3. Then Choose Device Manager

4. Under Display Adapter would be the drivers right click and uninstall

At this point your monitor is going to turn off and we need to allow Windows to reinstall the driver, but we need to reboot the computer.

To reboot

1. Press the Windows Key

2. Press the right arrow key twice

3. Then press R

Post back your results.

[jsevigny]

I've been dealing with this same exact issue since I bought the computer in July 2011. I've taken it back to the dealer twice. The first time they replaced the hard drive (apparently) and the second, they told be it had a virus but weren't able to tell be which one, or if they had deleted it. (?!?!).

Anyway, I'm still experiencing the multicoloured locks on a regular basis and through various testing, I believe it may be related to the USB ports. If I unplug any external drives that use USB, it can run fine for weeks on end. But as soon as I plug in something, it usually will lock within 24 hours, without fail.

I've scanned all my external drives, no virus. The machine itself, no virus. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to run a full backup since I bought this machine... why? Because it crashes if i attach anything to it!!!

Anyway, I'm going to apply the suggestions above and let you know in a few weeks how it went.

[jsevigny]

It's now almost a month later and re-installing the video driver did not help at all. Doing Windows updates either. I keep crashing.  

Today I decided to uninstall BitDefender 2012, as it's been giving me issues as well (crashes and unable to submit the details to support). Anyway, Installed MS Security Essentials instead and I'll post again in a few weeks to report the results.