Update on this issue: From the EasyServ site, a sample of the status updates one gets: Original comments/problem description 04/28 1254 04/28 1113 THE LAPTOP COMPLETELY FREEZES (BEFORE BSOD - NO ALTERNATIVE BUT TO USE LONG PRESS POWER BUTTON TO RESET) WHEN THE FOLLOWING TASKS ARE ATTEMPTED:.- PLAY A...

A returns box is being sent to me as we speak.

Hopefully I will get some feedback as to what exactly was wrong!

thanks
Jon

Computer is a T450s thinkpad with i5 and Intel 5500 graphics. Windows 8.1 Home. Symptoms: Computer reliably (ie, every time!) crashes any time I try to do the following: 1) play ANY video file using VLC, windows media player etc - doesn't seem to matter. Web videos are safe apparently for instance Y...