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T420s problems solved by switching to 32-bit Win7
Posted: Mon Sep 05, 2011 10:41 pm
by Edward Mendelson
I bought a T420s a few weeks ago, with 4GB RAM and 64-bit Windows 7. Using any browser (IE, Firefox, Chrome, Safari), the machine froze briefly when playing YouTube videos or playing music in iTunes; the freeze typically occurred after about a minute or less of viewing or listening. The machine passed the Windows memory diagnostic. I tried downloading the latest version of Flash; this reduced the video problem but didn't eliminate it.
So I ordered the 32-bit Windows 7 preload from EZserv, installed it (the whole process took two and a half hours), and all these problems disappeared.
Has anyone else had a similar experience? And if you're having problems like these, it's time to get the 32-bit preload.
Re: T420s problems solved by switching to 32-bit Win7
Posted: Tue Sep 06, 2011 2:14 am
by Colonel O'Neill
Could it have just been an over-protective APS?
Re: T420s problems solved by switching to 32-bit Win7
Posted: Tue Sep 06, 2011 8:06 am
by Edward Mendelson
Colonel O'Neill wrote:Could it have just been an over-protective APS?
Possible, I suppose. But improbable. The machine was on a desk, plugged into a dock. And why only with songs and videos. The protection system wouldn't have been confused by motion on a video, presumably?
Re: T420s problems solved by switching to 32-bit Win7
Posted: Tue Sep 06, 2011 12:33 pm
by dr_st
A rogue driver most likely was causing it. Glad you got it fixed, although I wouldn't go as far as saying that the 64bit OS was the culprit.
Re: T420s problems solved by switching to 32-bit Win7
Posted: Tue Sep 06, 2011 12:41 pm
by Edward Mendelson
dr_st wrote:A rogue driver most likely was causing it. Glad you got it fixed, although I wouldn't go as far as saying that the 64bit OS was the culprit.
I imagine you're right, but it's hard to guess what it was. All I installed on the machine were Firefox, iTunes, and Chrome. I installed then removed Symantec Endpoint Protection (an AV product they make available through colleges and corporations), and it didn't make any difference. If I had had more time, I probably would have experimented more, but I bought the machine for a family member who needed it now.
Re: T420s problems solved by switching to 32-bit Win7
Posted: Tue Sep 06, 2011 8:03 pm
by jvarszegi
Edward Mendelson wrote:Has anyone else had a similar experience? And if you're having problems like these, it's time to get the 32-bit preload.
No. That's like saying that if the brakes on your Corvette are occasionally locking up under load, the solution is not to have a mechanic fix the brakes, but to swap out the engine with a Ford Escrot four-banger.