[325 Baller]

Ok, im a MAC guy and my cousin was about to throw away an old (last year) laptop because it keeps shutting off. So I said hey wtf can i have it. Long story short he gave it to me, i reformatted installed XP and everything, and thought it was running fine, but bam, shut down. It was very hot so maybe that had something to do with it but does anyone know what could be the problem? It shuts down randomly not only when its hot. Im thinking about bringing it to Geek Squad and seeing if they can fix it. Even if it costs me 100 bucks its still more then worth it. If anyone knows anything that can help, please tell. Im pretty good with computers, built one of my own but that was about 4 years ago and forgot most everything with PC's now.

[533ogetnom]

u did a full reformat (not just a "fix") and its still doing it? blue-screening ? just powering off?

start by installing a temp monitor, i forget but i think cpu id has one, or a program called everest is better

could be anything, thats the trouble with saying "hey my PC is shutting off" and leaving it at that

[BMW F22]

Im pretty sure it's the CPU. The thermo paste is probably worn out.

[///Matt]

Definitely sounds like a CPU overtemp. I had the same thing happening to my desktop because my case didn't have efficient airflow for cooling. Totally smoked the processor after it happened a few times.

You should check and see if your fans are running (and smoothly), and be sure never to leave the laptop sitting on carpet or fabric, only smooth hard surfaces.

[325 Baller]

Ya, im almost 100% sure its the CPU. I had that problem on my desktop before but fixed it. If it turns on later today ill install a temp monitor, but lets say thats the problem.....whats the fix?

[rjs]

sounds like it's overheating. you could try reseating it with new thermal paste

[ska///235i]

sounds like a hardware issue if you reformatted the drive....
how old is this laptop??? Specs???

[325 Baller]

Originally Posted by ska

sounds like a hardware issue if you reformatted the drive....
how old is this laptop??? Specs???

2 years old. 1.73 ghz processor (not sure which type) 768 ram, 80gb hd. hp model dv1000. I'm beginning to think it could be the ram. Maybe one stick is bad and its the reason it keeps turning off?

[- Paul -]

try this to test your ram
http://www.memtest.org/

[mds82]

Is the fan on the CPU running when its hot? the fan could have just died

[UncleWede]

Dell laptops a few years ago had problems with the fan not coming on soon enough. Check with the BIOS manufacturer for an update.
If the RAM were failing, you should at least see a little something in the system log (right click My computer, manage, Event viewer, system log) other than "the shutdown at 1:30 was unexpected."

[325 Baller]

Im running a RAM test now, but i dont know if thats the problem. Im using the program that was referred to in the earlier post. Lets hope that its this easy and thats the problem (praying)

[darkcloud]

Try getting a cheap laptop fan try. I have one and keeps my laptop super cool. I hardly ever hear my laptops actual fans turn on. They range in pricing heavily for what they are so buy a $10 cheap one just to try it out.

http://www.dealtime.com/xGS-laptop_fan_tray

This is the tray I have. I bought the cheap one cuz I wasn't sure if I'd like it or if it would actually work. I'll prolly buy a better one soon.

[325 Baller]

I cant even get the computer to stay on to do the memory test...

[ska///235i]

Originally Posted by 325 Baller

2 years old. 1.73 ghz processor (not sure which type) 768 ram, 80gb hd. hp model dv1000. I'm beginning to think it could be the ram. Maybe one stick is bad and its the reason it keeps turning off?

It could be anything (motherboard, ram, cpu), only way to find out is to test every hardware.
This sucks cuz is a laptop and not a desktop where it'll be easier to find parts to test

[325 Baller]

It appears (knock on wood) that it was the 512 stick that has gone bad. So im running on 256 ram til i go tomarrow to either buy a 1gb or another 512

[FirstClass]

Sounds like a slowish machine. Ditch XP and install Feisty Fawn.

[MX20]

Originally Posted by 325 Baller

It appears (knock on wood) that it was the 512 stick that has gone bad. So im running on 256 ram til i go tomarrow to either buy a 1gb or another 512

What made you say that?

You said you could not even run memtest because the thing would shut off by itself. Now memtest is designed NOT to be affected by faulty memory, but to find and report it (not a trivial task).

If it did not even stay on for memtest to complete, it's not the memory. I'd say it's the processor (going out or overheating) or something power-related.

If removing some RAM got it working, then I would bet on something along the power supply chain. More RAM, more load on that particular line, Bang!

If you are handy at it, maybe you can open it and check for obvious signs of overheating in the area where the RAM PS regulators are located. Maybe change or at least test and reseat some larger capacitors in there.

Another (or a bigger) RAM module probably won't help or even make it worse.

Good luck and do post if you get it sorted.

[icewatersoda]

using the keyboard arrows press "up up down down left right left right" then click on "B" "A" Select Start

[FirstClass]

Originally Posted by icewatersoda

using the keyboard arrows press "up up down down left right left right" then click on "B" "A" Select Start

There is no select in the code. Noob.

[325 Baller]

well it got it working with 1, 256 stick. I dont know why i would spend any money on the computer when its working fine. I plan on buying myself an Alienware lightweight laptop this summer so this is just for the end of the school year (4 weeks)

[325 Baller]

Well i spoke to soon. The computer doenst seem to want to turn on now! grr