This is likely a DirectX crash. Your frame rate test will probably not work on that notebook anyway, but simple games, such as some of the samples, also work with old 3D cards.

The crash is either caused by an issue with the DirectX installation or driver, or it's simply a memory problem. DirectX usually crashes when memory runs low. Your teammate should check if he can run some of the samples, and he should reinstall DirectX and his video driver, to be on the safe side.