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Laptop freezes/restarts

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  #1  
Old 03-21-2008
TechSpot Member
 
Member since: Mar 2008, 37 posts
Laptop freezes/restarts

Hello,

I'm having trouble with my laptop! About 2 weeks ago I turned it on and it kept freezing while I was trying to do simple things like go on the internet etc., so i kept turning it off and back on. every time i get to the desktop it will either freeze or restart. about 75% it restarts my screen goes black but the hdd is still spinning.

so far i have:
- checked the RAM and it is good
- checked the temperature of my computer it is staying mostly between 50-55c. I know that that is a bit high for a laptop, but i'm not sure if it is high enough to mess me computer up?
- ive reformatted my hard drive
- ive taken my memory out and switched slots just incase something might have become lose in the past, you never know
- ive also cleaned my fan out

As of right now, my computer was just flashing the bios splash screen for a split second and then it will go black, while the hdd is still spinning. Right now it is completly black with the hdd still spinning.

does anyone know what may be happening and how im able to fix it?
  #2  
Old 03-21-2008
Tmagic650's Avatar
TechSpot Ambassador
 
Location: "The Treasure State" USA
Member since: Aug 2006, 14,730 posts
System specs
Remove the battery and try running off the AC adapter
  #3  
Old 03-21-2008
TechSpot Member
 
Member since: Mar 2008, 37 posts
yea, ive tried and it does the same thing.
  #4  
Old 03-21-2008
Ex-TechSpotter
 
Member since: Dec 2007, 18,354 posts
Referring to this post: http://mvps.org/marksxp/WindowsXP/bsod.php please turn off Automatic Restart

Also check your event viewer (in Administrative Tools) for any errors at time of crash

Another interesting topic was posted here: http://www.techspot.com/vb/topic101519.html
That you may want to read
  #5  
Old 03-21-2008
TechSpot Member
 
Member since: Mar 2008, 37 posts
Yes, I have tried all of these things. I usualy google a whole bunch before posting on a board as my last hope! haha.

yes, i cleaned my fan out, bought a cooling pad to set my laptop on. at this point...i figure it is nothing to do with heating because i cant even get my screen to turn on! its just black, but everything is running, both hdd and fan.

ive scanned it for errors and turned off the automatic restart in the past.

im at a lost. could this be a hardware issue? if so, what do you think it might be?
  #6  
Old 03-21-2008
Ex-TechSpotter
 
Member since: Dec 2007, 18,354 posts
Remove all power
Hold down on switch for 30 secs
re-fit power lead
Turn on

so is it still getting to Windows and then failing?
If so you may want to try check disk from a safe mode command chkdsk /r
And possible a repair option for Windows
  #7  
Old 03-21-2008
Tmagic650's Avatar
TechSpot Ambassador
 
Location: "The Treasure State" USA
Member since: Aug 2006, 14,730 posts
System specs
Might be a failing hard drive too
  #8  
Old 03-21-2008
Ex-TechSpotter
 
Member since: Dec 2007, 18,354 posts
Good point

CheckDisk can basically fail (completely) a failing hard drive
By any means, try backing up data first (it is possible - ie removing the drive and fitting an adaptor to plug into a pc as a slave)
  #9  
Old 03-21-2008
TechSpot Member
 
Member since: Mar 2008, 37 posts
no cigar, i cant see anything...but this is interesting...i am looking at my screen while my computer is on and i can very faintly see windows running on my screen, but it is barely visible! and when i turn my computer off...my desktop is still there, but you almost have to squint to even notice anything is on there, haha.

so, i start it up...it flickers for a brief second to normal color on the bios splash screen and then goes to this crazy ridiculously dark color.
  #10  
Old 03-21-2008
Ex-TechSpotter
 
Member since: Dec 2007, 18,354 posts
I wonder if this is the inverter board (behind the screen and bezel)
This small electronic board, can cause the screen to go blank or dark

So how's your hardware experience?
  #11  
Old 03-21-2008
TechSpot Member
 
Member since: Mar 2008, 37 posts
hm, my hardware experince in laptops is pretty limited, but im able to dig in there and see if something can be done! i mean, im able to identify parts inside my laptop. at this point...i feel like my laptop sucks and if i mess something up physically in it, im not too worried hahha.

so, what'd ya suggest?
  #12  
Old 03-21-2008
Ex-TechSpotter
 
Member since: Dec 2007, 18,354 posts
You need your manual

Hopefully it shows somehing like this:
http://www.screentekinc.com/lcd-remo...n,compaq.shtml
  #13  
Old 03-21-2008
TechSpot Member
 
Member since: Mar 2008, 37 posts
ive got no idea where my manual is! haha. but i dont know..before i do this...is a bad graphics card out of the question?
  #14  
Old 03-21-2008
TechSpot Member
 
Member since: Mar 2008, 37 posts
so, even if i do open up my lcd, what am i looking for? what am i trying t fix???
  #15  
Old 03-21-2008
TechSpot Booster
 
Location: Odessa,Ukraine
Member since: Jun 2007, 570 posts
so many posts but no laptop model was told. what's the model of laptop? this is first thing to start discussing the problem.
Closed Thread

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