Laptop problems

**salocius** · 09-10-2006, 10:06 AM

Hi all, a quick question for you techies. My laptop keeps crashing and locking up. Is there anyway I can diagnose what is causing the problem? Is there any software that could help?

Cheers.

**TheGuru** · 09-10-2006, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by salocius

Hi all, a quick question for you techies. My laptop keeps crashing and locking up. Is there anyway I can diagnose what is causing the problem? Is there any software that could help?

Cheers.

Here are a few questions for you, they will help us to troubleshoot.

Do you get an error message, if so what is it
Is it the same thing that makes it crash or does it seem to be random
What operating system are you running
Do you regularly update the operating system
Do you have a firewall and antivirus product installed
Have the problems started since you installed/removed something

**salocius** · 09-10-2006, 12:25 PM

In answer to your questions:

I get no error message because the screen just freezes and I have to physically turn the power off to shut it down, after which it runs fine when restarted.

It crashes randomly, I can be in Excel, Word, or surfing.

I am running on Windows XP home.

I haven't used it for about a year so updates might not be in place.

There is just the standard windows Firewall.

I recently installed wireless card, but it was crashing before.

I have taken off any unneccesary programs to see if that helps and it doesn't.

Over to you!

**TheGuru** · 09-10-2006, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by salocius

In answer to your questions:

I get no error message because the screen just freezes and I have to physically turn the power off to shut it down, after which it runs fine when restarted.

It crashes randomly, I can be in Excel, Word, or surfing.

I am running on Windows XP home.

I haven't used it for about a year so updates might not be in place.

There is just the standard windows Firewall.

I recently installed wireless card, but it was crashing before.

I have taken off any unneccesary programs to see if that helps and it doesn't.

Over to you!

Do you have antivirus installed :?:

Can you confirm that your firewall is turned on :?:

Are you on cable/ADSL or dialup :?:

I have a few ideas once you have answered the above ;-)

**TheGuru** · 09-10-2006, 02:15 PM

If you dont have an antivirus product you can use Avast its free for home use ;-)

**salocius** · 09-10-2006, 02:30 PM

Not sure about antivirus s/ware. Had Norton 2002 which has expired can't remember if I have put anything else on yet. I've got latest Norton on desktop so could install that. I will check when I get home.

Firewall is on.

Connecting via cable broadband.

**TheGuru** · 09-10-2006, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by salocius

Not sure about antivirus s/ware. Had Norton 2002 which has expired can't remember if I have put anything else on yet. I've got latest Norton on desktop so could install that. I will check when I get home.

Firewall is on.

Connecting via cable broadband.

I think that would be a very good idea ;-)

I think that you should also go to the Windows Update site and apply all of the recommended updates.

This may not solve your initial problem, but it helps rule out viri and trojans etc...

Post again when you have done the above, we can then do a bit more troubleshooting.

**TheGuru** · 11-10-2006, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheGuru

Quote:

Originally Posted by salocius

Not sure about antivirus s/ware. Had Norton 2002 which has expired can't remember if I have put anything else on yet. I've got latest Norton on desktop so could install that. I will check when I get home.

Firewall is on.

Connecting via cable broadband.

I think that would be a very good idea ;-)

I think that you should also go to the Windows Update site and apply all of the recommended updates.

This may not solve your initial problem, but it helps rule out viri and trojans etc...

Post again when you have done the above, we can then do a bit more troubleshooting.

How are you getting on with this :?:

**salocius** · 11-10-2006, 09:23 AM

I have downloaded all the windows updates and installed Norton 2006. It crashed last night whilst surfing. Also, if I try to restart or shut down it freezes?

**TheGuru** · 11-10-2006, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by salocius

I have downloaded all the windows updates and installed Norton 2006. It crashed last night whilst surfing. Also, if I try to restart or shut down it freezes?

By default XP will reboot if it hits a problem, this makes it awkward to get an error message.

The link below explains how to disable auto reboot
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/u...l_02may13.mspx

Now when the machine crashes you may get an error page known as the Blue Screen Of Death. Make a note of the first couple of lines of the error message and post it in here, or search on Microsoft.com for answers.

09-10-2006, 10:06 AM	#1 (permalink)
salocius Super Poster Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Gatwick, UK Posts: 214 Credits: 744 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTW/F/M Award(s): 0	Laptop problems Hi all, a quick question for you techies. My laptop keeps crashing and locking up. Is there anyway I can diagnose what is causing the problem? Is there any software that could help? Cheers.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

09-10-2006, 12:25 PM	#3 (permalink)
salocius Super Poster Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Gatwick, UK Posts: 214 Credits: 744 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTW/F/M Award(s): 0	In answer to your questions: I get no error message because the screen just freezes and I have to physically turn the power off to shut it down, after which it runs fine when restarted. It crashes randomly, I can be in Excel, Word, or surfing. I am running on Windows XP home. I haven't used it for about a year so updates might not be in place. There is just the standard windows Firewall. I recently installed wireless card, but it was crashing before. I have taken off any unneccesary programs to see if that helps and it doesn't. Over to you!

09-10-2006, 02:30 PM	#6 (permalink)
salocius Super Poster Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Gatwick, UK Posts: 214 Credits: 744 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTW/F/M Award(s): 0	Not sure about antivirus s/ware. Had Norton 2002 which has expired can't remember if I have put anything else on yet. I've got latest Norton on desktop so could install that. I will check when I get home. Firewall is on. Connecting via cable broadband.

11-10-2006, 09:23 AM	#9 (permalink)
salocius Super Poster Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Gatwick, UK Posts: 214 Credits: 744 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTW/F/M Award(s): 0	I have downloaded all the windows updates and installed Norton 2006. It crashed last night whilst surfing. Also, if I try to restart or shut down it freezes?

Sponsored links