Frozen computer

I have a Dell Inspiron 1501. This is my 2nd after replacing the 1st. I am
now experiencing the same problems with the new as I did with the 1st.

While working on my computer or playing games, my screen display will
"disappear" and be replaced with one of two things. Either a black screen
with a 1x1 inch square (randomly placed on the screen) which looks like a
barcode or a very nicely colored striped wallpaper. My computer also stops
working (freezes). The only lights working are the power light and the WiFi
light.

I can only fix the problem by pushing the power button. The computer starts
normally and will state the computer did not shut off correctly how would I
like to proceed (or whatever it says).

This problem happens after a few hours of it being on. It mainly happens as
I am working and I lose all information I was working on. Dell's solution is
to reload Vista. I was hoping there was an easier solution.

Hi,

Dell's solution needs to be to replace whatever hardware component is
failing. It may be symptomatic of that particular production line if it is
happening to multiple machines.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com

"Chinn Family" <Chinn Family@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:A30C0246-8BB1-4F9A-888D-405004C9F5DE@microsoft.com...
>I have a Dell Inspiron 1501. This is my 2nd after replacing the 1st. I am
> now experiencing the same problems with the new as I did with the 1st.
>
> While working on my computer or playing games, my screen display will
> "disappear" and be replaced with one of two things. Either a black screen
> with a 1x1 inch square (randomly placed on the screen) which looks like a
> barcode or a very nicely colored striped wallpaper. My computer also
> stops
> working (freezes). The only lights working are the power light and the
> WiFi
> light.
>
> I can only fix the problem by pushing the power button. The computer
> starts
> normally and will state the computer did not shut off correctly how would
> I
> like to proceed (or whatever it says).
>
> This problem happens after a few hours of it being on. It mainly happens
> as
> I am working and I lose all information I was working on. Dell's solution
> is
> to reload Vista. I was hoping there was an easier solution.