Unexpected shut down

[Guest]

Hi
I recently moved to a new house and ever since then, my laptop (an Acer
Aspire 3610) has been randomly just turning off on its own, and is also
unusually slow. I'm connected to a router with four other computers on a
network. Every so often it will turn off (usually when I'm playing music on
itunes) but it has happened other times too. When I try to turn it back on,
it sometimes just turns off right away or I can't even get it to go on at
all. Mostly I have been getting a message which says something like "checking
file system C:FAT 32 for consistency" (Which I am guessing is my hard disk?)
It takes a while to check it and then I can run windows again. But usually a
while later it will turn off again. Today I got a different message when my
computer took 5 times to turn back on, but I can't remember what it said
because it kept turning off while I was trying to read it...

I've tried alot of things but it keeps happening - uninstalled then
reinstaled programs, defragmented the hard drive, cleaned up unneccessary
files, ran virus scans, checked connections...

I'm not sure what to do - in another post someone recommended cleaning the
inside where the fans are to get rid of dust (possible overheating....?) I
don't really know how to get in there though - I don't want to ruin anything!

I think that's pretty much all the info I can think of at the moment - any
help would be appreciated!!

 

[Patrick Keenan]

Hi
I recently moved to a new house and ever since then, my laptop (an Acer
Aspire 3610) has been randomly just turning off on its own, and is also
unusually slow. I'm connected to a router with four other computers on a
network. Every so often it will turn off (usually when I'm playing music
on
itunes) but it has happened other times too. When I try to turn it back
on,
it sometimes just turns off right away or I can't even get it to go on at
all. Mostly I have been getting a message which says something like
"checking
file system C:FAT 32 for consistency" (Which I am guessing is my hard
disk?)
It takes a while to check it and then I can run windows again. But usually
a
while later it will turn off again. Today I got a different message when
my
computer took 5 times to turn back on, but I can't remember what it said
because it kept turning off while I was trying to read it...

I've tried alot of things but it keeps happening - uninstalled then
reinstaled programs, defragmented the hard drive, cleaned up unneccessary
files, ran virus scans, checked connections...

I'm not sure what to do - in another post someone recommended cleaning the
inside where the fans are to get rid of dust (possible overheating....?) I
don't really know how to get in there though - I don't want to ruin
anything!

I think that's pretty much all the info I can think of at the moment - any
help would be appreciated!!

What you're describing is sometimes an effect of bad or failing (or loose)
memory. Check your system with memory testers, such as memtest, and if it
finds problems, start with powering down the system, removing the battery
and adapter, and reseating any memory you can. Yes, you'll need to open
the case somewhat for this; the manual should tell you how to do this under
"upgrading the system".
http://hcidesign.com/memtest/

To clean dust out, get a can of compressed air, find the vents, and blow it
out. Do *not* use a vaccuum. You can find these cans of compressed air
at most electronics stores for a few dollars, definitely under $10.

Or, check the warranty situation for your laptop and have an authorized
repair site have a look at it. Check the warranty to be sure that things
you do yourself don't void the warranty.

HTH
-pk