Intermittent White Outs

[NewTricks]

Also from the second forum thread above Tekno Venus says this:

[AdvancedSetup]

I searched all the documents and pages related and I was not able to find any mention of 256 @NewTricks so if there is mentions of it then it must be inside on of the downloads as I did not download and look at programs.

but having a 256 GB Flash drive would be a very difficult ask until recently. Just a few short years ago you wouldn't be able to find one that size.

 

[AdvancedSetup]

Oh, I see you found what you were looking for. I forgot to refresh the page.

The case in point is MB - aka Megabyte not GB Gigabyte

 

[NewTricks]

That's it. I think realistically, due to the many levels of complexity here, this entire process is well beyond my capabilities. I would like to arrive at the end point, if I had a transporter or fairy godmother. With the ways I'm using this system, the age, (barely 2 months old, for both the CPU and monitor) and the random, intermittent events-it doesn't seem worth it to pursue this unless I experience more severe events.

I have gotten two spontaneous "reboots" crashes? whatever, and I'm willing to go with your philosophy of computers having "bad days."

On a positive note, I am feeling better about getting that Transcend JetFlash 920 because that sounds really great, vetted already by "those who know" and much more reliable that reading reviews on Amazon, LifeWire or HowtoGeek.

@axe0 I'm sorry to disappoint here. I only learned how to do some basic, basic things a mere 5 months ago. Thank you for your recommendation. 

[axe0]

With troubleshooting what's worse than disappointment is not trying which you've done.

These RAM tests don't take up a lot of space, so practically a USB of any size will suffice. Though depending on the USB you get, they can get more expensive than USBs with more storage. Case in point is Cisco Systems Cisco 1800/2800/3800 Memory 256 MB USB Flash that I found on Amazon for close to 440 dollar, i.e. about 1.500 dollar per GB, though it's probably a USB for special situations.

[NewTricks]

Thank you for the positive and encouraging opening statement above.

It occurred to me that buying a stick device with more capacity than my CPU was bizarre. As is, I haven't kept up with tech, so the 3 devices I have are 1-2GB each. (insert any laughing emoji here)  I'm headed for a 128 GB, which will be more than adequate going forward. And who says I have to stop there?

6 hours ago, axe0 said:

about 1.500 dollar per GB

😬 ouch! I know some things are worth protecting, but still. Commercial or military applications perhaps.

I am impressed by the clear and thorough instructions. With each new reading, I come away with more understanding. Each step is set out in detail with reasons why (my favorite word). It follows the "if/then" format, a big plus. Approaching the unknown comes in phases: terror, doubt, objectivity, bias identification and finally action. Then repeat, repeat, repeat the latter. 

As my own backup, I've started an old school backup consisting of pen/paper (notebook) which allows me to record daily happenings on the desktop, & where I've stored digital files. Only blue gel ink allowed.

[NewTricks]

Sitting idle while I was napping. I feel a Dell service call coming on Monday. 

Restarted without issues, but now twice in one week. 

[axe0]

Could you select the startup repair option in the advanced repair options? This will run a number of tests and leave a log that will indicate what was detected, I'd like to see the log.

[NewTricks]

I chose  Restart My PC yesterday, because I was afraid I wouldn't be able to deal with whatever those logs showed. Now I regret it.

Judging from increasing frequency, it won't be long before it happens again and I will choose See Advanced Repair Options so that log is available. 

Thanks for your suggestion and will follow it next time.

[NewTricks]

@axe0 just now: 

Please say what to do next under advanced options. I will wait for your response.  Thank you.

Edit: Firefox backup & Macrium backup both done 6/17/23

Edited June 19 by NewTricks
Update

[AdvancedSetup]

Select the STARTUP REPAIR @NewTricks

 

[NewTricks]

On 6/18/2023 at 12:01 PM, axe0 said:

select the startup repair

Thank you @AdvancedSetup, I sometimes go blind.

On 6/18/2023 at 12:01 PM, axe0 said:

This will run a number of tests and leave a log that will indicate what was detected,

Where is this log?

[AdvancedSetup]

I believe this is the location

C:\WINDOWS\System32\Logfiles\Srt\SrtTrail.txt

 

C:\Windows\System32\LogFiles

 

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/windows-client/performance/windows-boot-issues-troubleshooting

 

Edited June 19 by AdvancedSetup
Updated information

[NewTricks]

Found it.

 

Edited June 19 by NewTricks
restart

[NewTricks]

Here it is, the entire log and the problem ID

SrtTrail.txt

Root cause found.txt

Edited June 19 by NewTricks
update

[AdvancedSetup]

System volume on disk is corrupt.

If this is happening over and over. That's not good. To me that would seem to indicate some type of possible hardware issue.

I'm sure you already run an NVMe drive on the system.

 

[ 1 ]

Please download HWiNFO the Professional System Information and Diagnostics program.
HWiNFO Portable for Windows

Unzip the program to its own folder such as: C:\HWiNFO
Go to the new folder and locate the file C:\HWiNFO\HWiNFO64.exe and double-click to run it.
Click the RUN button.
Ignore the update, click close.
Click on Save Report and choose HTML and click Next, then Finish
By default, it will create a new report named COMPUTER.HTM in the same folder as the program. C:\HWiNFO
Please zip that file and attach it to your next reply

 

I would think that the Event Logs are also logging this, but perhaps not.

 

[ 2 ]

Create an Autoruns Log:

• Please download Sysinternals Autoruns from here:   https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/downloads/autoruns
• Save Autoruns.zip to your computer. Then locate it and extract it to a new folder where you can find and run it.
• Once it starts you may not be able to easily stop the scan but you can try to press the Escape key on your keyboard.
• Once scanning is stopped, click on the Options menu at the top of the program and select Scan Options... 
• Then place a check mark on the following items Verify Code Signatures, Check VirusTotal.com, and Submit Unknown Images
• Then click the Rescan button. Agree to the VirusTotal EULA
• Once the new scan has been completed, please click on the File button at the top of the program and select Save, or use the Save icon, and save the Autoruns.arn file to your desktop and close Autoruns.
• Right-click on the Autoruns.arn file (it will typically be the name of your computer) on your desktop or where you save it, and hover your mouse over Send To and select Compressed (zipped) Folder
• Attach the Autoruns.zip folder (your computer name.zip) you just created to your next reply.

 

 

 

Thank you

 

 

Edited June 19 by AdvancedSetup
Updated information

[AdvancedSetup]

You have both a BIOS / UEFI firmware update as well as a hard drive update from Dell that is only 6 days old.

Make a backup of your data again.

Then update your BIOS / UEFI via your Dell Support Software as well as the NVMe Solid State Driver Firmware Update

 

[NewTricks]

BIOS failed. Firmware succeeded. I'm going to restart and try again.

[NewTricks]

On 6/19/2023 at 1:56 PM, AdvancedSetup said:

Make a backup of your data again

Screwed up and didn't do this.

I can't tell if I'm missing the Inspiron 3910 BIOS update. After a shutdown (by mistake) vs a restart, that BIOS update showed up again. When I clicked the install button, nothing happened. Then I saw "your machine may require a restart."

Restarted-saw no further updates available, and ran the rest: hardware scan, clean files, tune, optimize.

I'd like to find my way to your screenshot in your previous post here ID:1573355

 

 

 

Edited June 21 by NewTricks
attachments removed

[AdvancedSetup]

Please open a ticket with Dell Support and verify that the latest BIOS / UEFI is installed as well as any other critical, important updates.

That's part of what you pay for when purchasing a name brand PC. They should  be able to assist you.

 

[NewTricks]

Done.

Their process:

1.  automated routing menu

2. confirmation of equipment specs

3. confirmation of problem: what, when

4. questions about physical status: damage

5. questions about software downloads on system, Dell support assist use

6. remote session DRE.DELL.COM: requires user agreement & code. The remote session is recorded.

7. remote session events: tech ran same Dell support downloads, scans, cleaning and optimizing that I ran yesterday and this morning before the call

8. remote session findings: all hardware, software is current and up to date. Systems is "OK."

9. follow up:  (by email) includes ticket number, agent name, time, date-in writing. Terms: Ticket is open for 24 hours if event recurs, closed if not.

 

Conclusions:

Dell does not have access to my current drivers/etc without accessing remotely.

(My own experience: do not apply to others. Chat was not available as a contact option, therefore, any further issues will be handled via telephone/relay operator. This creates a catch-22 because the customer is advised against using the keyboard or mouse. Tech support did not use notepad. Once he was connected, my ability to respond via relay was over.)

Worthwhile

 

[NewTricks]

Discrepancies:

Dell advised me to check the current info BIOS with System information. It shows March 2023. This is after 2 updates by myself and one by Dell tech.

Yet yesterday, the Dell site showed a June 13, critical update.

 

[AdvancedSetup]

The dates they list on the Web do not always coincide with actual firmware dates and is to be expected, however that sure seems wrong.

Let me take a closer look

 

 

[AdvancedSetup]

Sent  you a PM @NewTricks

[NewTricks]

Now that the dust is settled, I see BIOS update version 1.13.0 is listed under "critical update" from my post ID:1573357.  I installed it from the link you provided. 
Correct: " the dates they list on the web do not coincide with the actual firmware dates." I'll take this with a grain of salt going forward.

It seems like a good practice to check updates with Dell as frequently as I do updates with Windows Security or even MB. It may be overkill, but it can't hurt. Now that I know where to find those updates in particular, not just the Dell Support App, I'm going to delete some screenshots which didn't add any value here.