Laptop issue

[Chen]

OK so for the past two days, and especially the last hour, my laptop has been randomly restarting for seeminly no reasons.

i've been on no dodgy sites during that time, no downloads. when it restarts it doesnt go into the blue error screen, it doesnt give me any warning, just immediately back to the boot up screens, asking why i didn't shutdown properly.

any thoughts? virus? hardware issue? software? help please!

[Isiolia]

Could be a number of things. Most likely it's hardware related in some way, either something like bad RAM, or an issue with drivers. Could be a thermal issue as well.

- Did you (or Windows update) recently update any drivers?

- Have you run a RAM check? Ultimate Boot CD has some, or you can find the ones on that in form of bootable ISO images elsewhere on the net.

- Are you getting abnormal noises or behavior? IE, fans running full bore, hard drive squeaking, etc?

- Something you could try would be to boot up with a bootable Linux distro and just let it run for a while. If that eliminates the problem, then most likely it's something related to your Windows install, probably a driver, though if your HDD is going bad it could be that too.

[Chen]

i've had a windows update recently, and fans are running rather loud, but this hasn't really been any issue in the past(always been loud). gonna try the RAM check

thanks

[Isiolia]

Well, I mention the Windows update because it can occasionally update drivers to ones that don't work well. I've had it put video drivers on machines that don't work at all, and result in a black screen as soon as they start getting used. I've also had wireless drivers reset/shut off a machine soon after boot too. Sooo, I'm usually leery of driver updates via Windows update unless I know they work.

Fans could be a sign of overheating is why I mention them, though most modern computers will simply slow down to try and cool before resorting to shutdown. Assuming the thermal management stuff is working as it should.

RAM is definitely a thing to check though. Also try reseating RAM and possibly HDD too. I've seen a number of issues solved that way. More recently, I've also seen some removable DVD drives cause the SATA controller to crap out because the connection on them was flakey (missing screws n' stuff, yay HP).

[Klonen]

Some versions of Windows are configured to automatically restart on fatal errors instead of displaying a Blue Screen message. There is an option to toggle this in your system properties. You didn't mention what version of Windows you are running, but here's how you find it in XP (don't have access to a Vista machine atm, but it should be similar).

Open Properties on My Computer, switch to the Advanced tab, and click the Settings button under Startup and Recovery. Uncheck Automatically Restart, OK to save settings.

Use your machine for a while. If it continues to reboot without warning, my next guess would be thermal issues. Otherwise, you should start getting blue screens which will (hopefully) give you some clue as to the cause of the problem.

[guartz]

If you know how to do it safely, take it apart and de-dust it.

[Chen]

thanks for the replies again, interested in what Klonen had to say, about the auto restart without even an error message. so going to attempt that now.

one thing which i thing is strange, and should maybe rule out a few suggestions. is that even in the bootup sequence(or even during start up repair - been sent to this screen x2 after the restarts) i've been restarting.

since i'd sometimes set laptop on floor (carpeted sometimes) when i'm going afk i'm also thinking it could be a build up of dust perhaps.

off to test these things!

[toonces]

Don't set your laptop in surfaces like carpet unless is over some sort of hard surface (like a chil mat). Most laptop heatsinks are in the buttom and carpet been fluffly tends to screw up your heat dissipation.

GL with the errors..

[levish]

blow out the dust and get a laptop cooler pad with fans if you don't have one

[Spekkio]

you can also use tools like speedfan to determine your CPU temp then xreference with the chip's spec sheets to find out if you're blowing past the safe temps. put your hand over the air vent. do you feel much air coming out? if not, the fan may be choked with dust and unable to move air effectively causing your whole system to bake itself.

[Chen]

Ok, so followed up on the heat problem. took it apart, blew out some dust, nothing worth mentioning though. took off the heat sink partially, removed dirt between it and the board.

seemed to be helping, but hard to tell, still restarts. got a computer heat program and got the following:

HD0 45~50 degrees
Temp1 73 (fire sign)
Core0 55-60 (fire sign)
Core1 48-55

fire sign comes on @ 50. so i'd be doubtful if the core0/1 is too much of an issue. looking at Temp1. (configure says its a ACPI chips?) program doesnt say what that could be, thoughts/solutions if we assume this is the problem?

Edit: after putting in the charger, it automatically goes into full power (my laptop) speedfan says temps for core0/1 up in high 70's/80's now, but resets common with or w/o charger in.

[Cream Soda]

If you're on the ground (Carpet), try using a milk crate (easily obtained outside of your local 7-11 at 2am for free). All the holes provide plenty of ventilation. If you're on a desk try sticking something of equal height on all 4 corners to lift your laptop a couple inches and give it breathing room.

But if is it turning off and you have to manually turn it back on? or is it actually restarting? If its just restarting it may not be a heat issue at all.

[Chen]

it's automatically restarting, i don't need to turn it back on