Help! Computer suddenly crashes

[Imrahil91]

Hi, I'm running windows XP professional on a hp pavilion dv5095ea laptop. I have just installed a new OS after a serious problem (windows couldn't load, blue screen when start up).
Now, my computer suddenly crashes sometimes. It just stops working, can only moce my mouse cursor, doesn't react to anything I do. Or the screen turns black, and it doesn't react in any way. I think it only happens when I'm having high CPU (when running disc defragmenting, installing Civ IV etc.).

Anyone know what the problem is, or know of anything that can find it?
Maybe a program that can analyse my hardware, OS etc.
I'd be very grateful for help.
Thanks

 

[Jamesds]

If you say it happens when CPU usage is at a high, then maybe it's to do with CPU ventilation - your CPU heatsink may not be very effective, or since you're using a laptop, your vents might be blocked - maybe even the fan isn't working to it's full potential, but that's for you to check.

Do make sure you always use your laptop on a hard surface - using it on your lap (which is certainly possible if you position it carefully) or even worse, a bed/blanket will easily block the vents if they are on the underside of the laptop. This will stop the air circulation, and cause it to heat up and switch off when it's too hot.

How old is the laptop?

 

[Imrahil91]

I don't think it's the fan, (that has happened before when I used it in the bed ) because now, it doesn't turn off, but stops working.
I'm usually using it on a hard surface now.

I bought it in May 2006

 

[Genocidicbunny]

Could it possibly be a virus/spyware? It seems like its just hanging really bad. Try running a virus check with avast ( the boot-time one virus check) and a sweep with spybot S&D

 

[Jamesds]

Could it possibly be a virus/spyware? It seems like its just hanging really bad. Try running a virus check with avast ( the boot-time one virus check) and a sweep with spybot S&D

Well, he has completely formatted, and reinstalled his OS or a new OS. Spyware can't stick around after a format. The only possible way it could be a virus is if it is written into the boot sector, but I doubt it - anyway, the new OS would rewrite the Boot Sector I think.

IMO (which without further testing is, as I said, just my opinion) it is a more serious hardware problem, yet quite possible easy enough (might be costly though) to fix.

Actually...after further thought, both problems might be totally unrelated , in that case it may be spyware, or a virus, but such things are not common nowadays. Worth checking though, Imrahil.

 

[Genocidicbunny]

Ive managed to get a virus within 5 minutes of my first connect to the internet after a clean reinstall. So its not all that unlikely. It is also entirely possible that its a hardware problem. Maybe a missing driver? Or a wrong one?

 

[bob bobato]

OMG!!1 I had the exact same problem a week ago! Just with the Blue Screen of Death. Maybe its the Y2K bug, coming 7 years too late...

 

[BirraImperial]

Your might have a defective RAM module, try testing it for errors. I had a ZV6000 that had exactly the same problem. Turns out it had bad momory.

 

[Genocidicbunny]

Btw, to test memory you can use Memtest x86
Scroll down to the download section and choose the one you want ( ISO would probly be best)
Burn to a cd and boot off the CD and run the test. It should tell you if a module is not performing as it should.

 

[PureEvil]

Whenever you get problems after a new install there are lots of things to consider!
What stays the same after a format? (Cooling, Devices etc...)
Check your air vents and all, get a can of compressed air for about a 5er and give her a spray, its good to do this once in a while anyway. Especially as you have a laptop.

Updated all device drivers? Such as your chipset drivers, graphics, sound?


I dont know the specs of your laptop, but can it cope with installing Civ 4 or whatever, or disc defragmenting while doing anything else?
You say about high CPU usage, the useage you mentioned are typically high disk usage applications.
How much RAM do you have?
If you only have 256Mb of RAM, then any kind of disk access will seriously lag a computer up as it relies on the disk for the page file constantly.

What was the blue screen cause before, they are typically caused by hardware and driver failures, remove any unnessecary hardware (webcam etc) and update all critical drivers like I already said.

To be honset it looks like you are getting 2 diffrent problems. The issue where you can move your mouse i think is simply your computer doing too much, consider some more RAM if its less than 1Gb. The second looks to eb a video card issue (the black screens) make sure its properly cooled and that the drivers are up to the minute.

Good luck!

 

[Damnyankee]

sounds like a problem with the Hardware. Did you install a new OS on the same harddrive?