Zbook 15 G3 freezes when on battery

[kgmartin365]

Hello.  My company just purchases new Zbooks in October.  Most were the 17 inch model, but two of us got the 15 inch version.  All are G3 models.

Both of the 15's are configured identically, 16 GB RAM, same processor, 256 SSD drive, 512 2nd 7200 RPM drive, backlit keyboard, 4k display, etc.  The only difference is one, mine, I reinstall Windows 10 to partition the SSD drive into two drives, the other still has the HP factory Windows 10 image.  Both are the anniversary edition.

However, both are experiencing the same issue.  When running on battery they both randomly freeze.  Lock up hard, only option is to hold the power button until it's off and start again.  I've had two cases open with HP support, have had the WiFi module replaced, the system board and the NVidia graphics card and heat sync.  Nothing has helped.

I've tried many different power settings, the most current is having it set to "maximum performance".  Though that might have been it but it just locked up again on me.

Most of the time it seems to happen when launching a browser, Chrome for the most part for me, Edge for my colleague.  However, i've also had it lock up while in printer settings, while in display settings and while simply shutting down.

Wondering if anyone else has seen this issue and found any solution.  HP has suggested reinstalling the OS, but seems like that wouldn't be the issue since we have the issue on two different machines.  All Windows updates and HP updated have been applied.

Looking for any suggestions or thoughts.

I basically becomes useless if I want to use it on battery.

Thanks

[maruska]

Mine also freezes very similar manner, even on ac adapter. Can't find solution anywhere. All drivers and bios are updated to most recent versions. I have only Adobe CC installed.

CPU: i7-6820HQ
RAM: 16 GB
SSD: 512 GB
SCREEN: 3840x2160, Dreamcolor
GPU: NVIDIA Quadro M2000M 

[kgmartin365]

Maruska, thanks for the reply.  Glad to hear it's not just us, though not happy for you either.

My config is almost identical to yours, with a smaller SSD and a 2nd 512 GB 7200 RPM disk.

CPU: i7-6820HQ
RAM: 16 GB
SSD: 256 GB

HDD: 512 GB
SCREEN: 3840x2160, Dreamcolor
GPU: NVIDIA Quadro M2000M

Do you have the HP factory image for Windows 10 v1607?

I've set my battery performance to Maximum Performance.  I've noticed it is better, but still hangs at times, again so far I've only noticed it on battery.

[maruska]

Hi kgmartin365,

No I don't think so. And haven't looked. I have restored one time to win 7.

Run most of possible diagnostics in bios. Also contacted HP technician who adviced me to run several routines and updates.

But no apparent success. Laptop still freezes. 

Haven't tried different battery states.

Returned it to seller a week ago and waiting for solution.

[SamuelkKR]

I noticed the same problem on first day I used the laptop on battery. Three freezes in a row, when I launched Chrome as soon as windows opens...

I learned the lesson and now avoids launching Chrome immediately, but it still freezes from time to time, mostly when launching chrome.

I have a 4k DreamColor display, i7-6700HQ, 16 GB Ram, 512k NVMe ssd + 1 TB hdd, Quadro M2000M

I installed windows 10 enterprise version 1607, and installed various drivers from official HP download page.

I Installed the DreamColor assistant, but it did not change the freeze occurences.

Reading the other posts here, it seems this only happens on DreamColor displays. I hope HP can find a fix quickly, or we will have to replace them with lower quality screens.

[maruska]

Well, considering prize and fact, that this laptop is supposed to be HP's from highest workstation series  - it says a lot about manufacturer and how does he treat his customers. Freezing is just unnaceptable with any laptop - but workstation mostly ! I can only recommend to stay away from these. Users are not beta testers ! 

[SamuelkKR · Accepted solution]

Today I just replaced the graphics driver with R375 U6 (377.11) from nvidia, and so far I haven't managed to get a freeze yet, very unlike my previous experience in the 2 past weeks.

Too early to be certain but it does make sense though, graphics drivers have always been the biggest cause of PC crashes by far.

[LSASys]

Hi did this solve your issue?

[SamuelkKR]

I haven't had any freeze on battery since updating the driver, so : yes, it did solve the issue.

Still, I did suffer two BSOD in two weeks, so it's not working 100% perfect, but I was connected to AC supply, and the symptoms were different (blue screen with error message about critical component error, IIRC), so it is a different issue.

[kgmartin365]

Samuelk,

Thanks for the info.  I'm going to give this driver a try.  I finally got a chance to check this post again and am encouraged to see that you may have found something.  I had mine freeze 3 times in a row just trying to get back to this post today.

Thanks and i'll post my results.