Gericom Cinema XXL with Mobility Radeon 9700 (problems)

PsychoX · Jul 17, 2005, 04:22 AM

Jello - this is my first post - in fact I registered here just to ask you something. I've got Gericom Laptop - 1GB RAM, 17" screen, ... blah, blah, blah... and Mobility Radeon 9700 128MB card. My problem is that very often programs like Photoshop (during Free Transform) or IE are freezing. (you know: program doesnt respond) - white screen etc. It shouldnt happen coz the laptop is new and it is very strong. Do you have any idea what is going on? Ive got installed ATI orginal drivers which they gave my with the laptop. I was searching for some newer ones on ATI website but there is nothing. Guys. any help will be awsome - I am now in Germany but I bought my laptop in Poland, so there is no chance to send them it back. Thanks!

redsolar · Jul 18, 2005, 01:23 PM

Welcome to DriverHeaven

Freezing applications does not have to be a video card's fault, there are many more potential problems that may cause this.

Have the applications ever worked stable before?
What OS is it (I am guessing Windows XP?)
What other hardware is there?
How hot does it run?
Do applications hang randomly or when doing something in particular?
Is system spyware free?
Have you tested your RAM yet?
Does the system freeze up completely? Or is it just one application "Not Responding"?

PsychoX · Jul 19, 2005, 07:56 AM

Have the applications ever worked stable before?
Yes - laptop is 3 months old. First was OK, then it started freezing. Now it is a nightmare with that problem.

What OS is it (I am guessing Windows XP?)
XP with SP2

What other hardware is there?

17'' TFT WSXGA (1440x900)

SIS 648 FX

do Intel Pentium 3.2 GHz
(800 FSB, 2 MB cache)
1 GB DDR RAM
100 GB (7200 rpm)
Combo x 24 (CD-RW / DVD)
DVD+/-RW Dual Layer
ATI Mobility Radeon 9700 128 MB
AC`97 2.2
USB 2.0 x 4
PCMCIA x 1
FireWire
Media Center Edition (MCE IR Blaster)
TV-Out, VGA-Out
TV Tuner
Cardreader 6 in 1 (CF, MD, SM, MMC, SD, MS)

Modem 56 K
Ethernet LAN 10/100/1000

6600 mAh
How hot does it run?
I think sometimes is really hot - but it freezes even after few minutes after I turn it on.

Do applications hang randomly or when doing something in particular?
Randomly - Photoshop CS2 and IE - I thought it was some IE problem but I installed FF and it is the same.

Is system spyware free?
Yes, I have the program istalled for this.

Have you tested your RAM yet?
Not yet - can you tell me some good software for that?

Does the system freeze up completely? Or is it just one application "Not Responding"?
One aplication not responding - if I wait for a while (several seconds) it goes alive but not always...

I am frustrated

Any ideas? Thanks!

redsolar · Jul 19, 2005, 04:05 PM

Ok, grab 2 programs:
1. Memtest+ - www.memtest.org
2. Prime95 http://www.mersenne.org/freesoft.htm

Run both of them (separately from each other) and see how they test out. Memtest is mostly just for testing RAM for errors, while Prime95 stresses the heck out of almost all components (short of video card, sound card and other "unimportant" peripherals).

PsychoX · Jul 19, 2005, 05:48 PM

dzieki - zaraz sprawdze i napisze co sie dzieje... bardzo dziekuje!

PsychoX · Jul 20, 2005, 10:35 AM

Thanks I will check it tonight - I am stupid... talking polish here :/

PsychoX · Jul 21, 2005, 02:18 AM

OK - I tested memory last night - no errors - I also checked it by virus scan - no viruses + I uninstalled all what I dont need - maybe 3 programs - still dont know where the problem is. If you guys dont know it either... I dont know.

Stefan_VTi · Jul 21, 2005, 08:37 AM

White screen you say?
If that laptop is from uniwill, there is a good chance your mainboard is broken, it was a known problem with at least the uniwill centrino/MR9700-256 laptop.

PsychoX · Jul 21, 2005, 09:15 AM

Yeah... white screen and on the belt there is: Program deasnt respond. After 10 or more second everything is OK and everything works... But it is frustrating when I want for example transform something in PS and it freezes. Do you know any good program to test mainboard? If yes - please tell me, it would help me a lot.