Robert in CA wrote:
While it should clear the 8500 of whatever problems is
plaguing it my only concern before we start this procedure
is will the original 1TB hd function normally afterwards
and will it recognize the external hd's so we can finish cloning?
Otherwise I will have lost the #3 for nothing.

or should I call Microsoft and see if they can activate
the OS? Or will I have to do both? I don't mid the risk
as long as I don't loose everything in the process.

My only concern is to get the 8500 back to normal meaning
so that external hd can successfully connect so we can finish
cloning. All we need is (1) clone and were home free. We
were almost there with #3 but maybe we can use it to repair
the damage.

Robert

What I wanted to do, is start with an expendable item,
like a cloned copy of the 8500 1TB, then do the Dell Restore
to be able to test a brand new install. To see if the
freezing would stop with a "new" OS.

I don't want you to erase your MRIMG files doing this!

That wasn't my intention.

1TB 8500 disk == 2TB new disk with nothing on it ==
then "D: pcrestore" using Macrium CD boot and that 2TB
and see if the 2TB behaves itself with no freezing when
booted.

I thought the disk that was Not Genuine was a brand new clone,
not an ages-old clone.

I'm still looking for symptoms pointing to where the
freeze is coming from. Memtest was clean. I don't know
if you have Speedfan installed (or some Dell equivalent utility)
to check CPU temperature.

The CPU has some amount of automation. If there is a
severe loss of cooling, the CPU has a THERMTRIP signal
to turn off the PSU. Other parts of systems don't have the
same protection (Northbridge or Southbridge heatsink).

Summary: I'm trying to build a bootable OS setup on a brand
new disk where it doesn't matter what happens. Then
see if the freezing stops. This is to try to tell
the difference between an XPS 8500 hardware fault and
a malware issue.

Paul