Random Lockups

I have a Dell XPS 8940 that came with an OEM 256gb SSD drive. I quickly filled that up and upgraded to a 1gb SSD. I began experiencing random lockups that require a reboot to be able to function again. I did a fresh install of the OS on that new 1GB drive and rather than install all my programs again, I installed them one at at time to see if perhaps one of the programs was the cause. I determined that it was likely the Google Drive app causing the problem so removed that and all seemed fine for the short term and then I would start experiencing the freeze again. I tried another brand new SSD drive after another fresh install of the OS and still getting the random freeze. It can be once every couple of days or a couple of times daily. Computer can be sitting idle when it freezes or working on Chrome, Outlook or pretty much any other program. There is no clue in the event log as there is no blue screen. Everything just freezes or locks, can't move the mouse or apply any keyboard shortcuts. I'm at a loss at this point. The only thing that changed initially was the SSD drive. I've ruled that out with SSD replacements. Could be RAM but that wasn't an issue on the original SSD drive. Thoughts?

Make sure to execute Chkdsk C: /f command from Command Prompt.

Scan your computer for malware infection using Malwarebytes.

Important Recommended Steps
• Update all installed applications
• Uninstall currently installed device drivers and then install the latest version of the devices drivers.
• Install all the Windows important updates.
• If you are overclocking (pushing the components beyond their design) you should revert to default at least until the crashing is solved. If you don't know what it is, you probably are not overclocking.
• Use SpeedFan to monitor temperatures in computers, overheating can cause BSOD.
• Use Memtest86+ disc to check system memory's (RAM's) for errors.
• Use HDD Diagnostic Tool to check SMART health report of the hard disk drive (HDD).
• Use Prime95 to stress test your CPU
• Use 3DMark to stress test your GPU


Click the URL links for the website to follow instructions on how to do hardware diagnostics:
- Diagnostics
- Hardware Diagnostics
- Hardware Strip down Troubleshooting

It is a problem with the 8940 when it has an NVIDIA card. You updated the bios past 2.3.0 and this has caused issues for TONS of people.
It took 6 months, but support finally resolved it for me.
I initially had the freezes last summer after updating the BIOS on an 8940 with an i7 and a geforce 3070. Support replaced the motherboard. Then the SSD. Then the graphics card. I said it was happening again and they said it was software... how? It has had a new SSD and multiple wipes. She was adament that since the garbage diagnostic tool didn't find anything it couldn't be hardware.
I contacted my business dell rep. She got me in touch with pro support. Since I only have basic she said she couldn't help unless I paid to upgrade to pro. I said "There's no way I'm giving you more money when I already paid a fortune for the machine and the 3 year support". She assured me that pro support was more skilled and faster. I don't need faster, I need a resolution. I offered a few.
1. Replace with an equivalent ATI card (since this is NVIDIA only). 2. Give me $250 for a new case and a new motherboard and I'll fix the thing myself. That's less than I paid for the support. 3. Find me a motherboard from another line and another case if it won't fit. 4. I will endlessly send this garbage in for repair. I'll leave it running 24/7 and when it crashes I'll send it in again. On and on for the next 3 years until you've sunk so much money into it, I fell like I've reclaimed what I paid. Everyone else online give up. I won't out of spite. The back and forth and repairs has already cost you as much as I paid for the machine, now I'll just keep going until the time is up.
They had me send it in again and replaced the CPU. Shockingly, it froze again within 24 hours. I finally went the spiel again and they offered to send me a refurb 8950. I agreed except they wanted to couple an i7 and a 3070 with a 450W power supply. I raised a concern. They came back and offered to send me an 8950 with a 12th gen i7 (mine was an 11th) a 750W power supply (mine was 500W) and a 3090 (mine was a 3070). Wow, quite the upgrade. And the thing doesn't freeze. Basically, don't give up. Teach them a lesson for remotely breaking our ridiculously expensive equipment.
Took months and months but I have a functional computer. I will never buy another Dell.