Godfather said:
I've been having a problem for a few months with XP, sometimes it
doesnt happen for weeks, and just like that, it shows up again.
while the computer is running, it just shuts down very suddenly as if
the power is cut, but it isnt, it is a laptop computer with SP2
installed and all the updates etc.
sometimes, i see a blue screen right before the computer shuts off
when i try to start the computer again, it shuts down repeatedly for
about 7 or so times before the Windows XP loading page comes up,
please help, thanks
This sounds like a hardware issue, possibly overheating which is common
with laptops. Here are some general hardware troubleshooting steps, but
since this is a laptop you should call the mftr. for tech support.
1) Open the computer and run it open, cleaning out all dust bunnies and
observing all fans (overheating will cause system freezing). Obviously
you can't do this with a laptop, but you can hear if the fan is running
and feel if the laptop is getting too hot.
2) Test the RAM - I like Memtest86+ from
www.memtest.org. Obviously, you
have to get the program from a working machine. You will either
download the precompiled Windows binary to make a bootable floppy or
the .iso to make a bootable cd. If you want to use the latter, you'll
need to have third-party burning software on the machine where you
download the file - XP's built-in burning capability won't do the job.
In either case, boot with the media you made. The test will run
immediately. Let the test run for an extended period of time - unless
errors are seen immediately. If you get any errors, replace the RAM.
3) Test the hard drive with a diagnostic utility from the mftr. Usually
you will download the file and make a bootable floppy with it. Boot
with the media and do a thorough test. If the drive has physical
errors, replace it.
4) The power supply may be going bad or be inadequate for the devices
you have in the system - the latter isn't applicable to a laptop, of
course.
5) Test the motherboard with something like TuffTest from
www.tufftest.com. Sometimes this is useful, and sometimes it isn't.
Malke
