XP freezing and have to shut down by using power button

[Michelle]

I have a laptop and it's sort of new/used (refurbished).
Ever since I received it freezes sometimes when I leave
it alone for a few minutes.

It happens sometimes when I let the screen saver comes on
and sometimes when it hasn't even been close to time for
it to come on.

I can't move the mouse, I can't get the task manager to
come up, it's just like a screen shot.

I've tried searching endlessly for answers. If anyone
has any idea what's up please email me.

Thank you
Michelle

 

[cimex]

I hope you have some kind of a warranty. The type of freezing you describe
could easily be due to defective hardware.

 

[Michelle]

There isn't a warranty. Could it be the screensaver or a
virus?

Anything else?

 

[cimex]

Perhaps someone else will have a better idea. If not, here are some hardware
diagnostics that you can download to test various components:

www.memtest86.com (you need a floppy drive)

http://www.sisoftware.co.uk/index.html?dir=dload&location=sware_dl_x86&langx=en&a=
for an advanced diagnostic that tests more than RAM.

http://www.mersenne.org/freesoft.htm A "torture tester" involving the
computations for finding certain prime numbers.

You can download a disk diagnostic from the website of your hard disk
manufacturer. Since the test may be able to alter stored data, read the
instructions carefully before using.

Alternatively, a good computer repair shop can do these same tests for you,
and more besides (power supplies can be flaky, etc.)

 

[Michelle]

Thanks! I'll try these and consult with a computer guy I
know and trust.

Michelle