Laptop shuting down without notice

Hi guys, I've been reading for a while and I finally have a question:

My Laptop seems to be having some problems, sometimes when I start a game or a program, the CPU usage of course starts rising and sometimes my computer shuts down unexpectatly (sp?). If I start it up again sometimes it shuts down again after a few seconds (sometimes right away, sometimes its after 15 seconds or more). And if I start the game again after rebooting, sometimes it does the same thing and sometimes it doesn't.

As you can see, there's alot of "sometimes" and that's the anoying part, if it was just one program all the time I would understand but it's many programs doing it some of the time.

I'm having a hard time explaining it and I'm guessing you're having problem understanding it , so if you have question don't hesitate to ask

Here are a few info on my computer:

Toshiba Satellite, 3 or 4 years old
Pentium 3
1.10 GHz
510 mb RAM
With Windows XP

 

Hi Raven,

Welcome to the BBS.

The first question that comes to mind is "do you have an anti-virus program?" The second is "do you run Spybot S&D and Ad-Aware? "

After that, I haven't a clue as to what your problem might be, but I'm sure that someone else will be able to help.

 

I do have ad-aware (it's one of the programs that makes my computer shut down when I run it) and Spy-bot, as for the Antivirus, it's been a while since I've run it, I'll try it

thanks

 

You could also check your "Event manager" for possible clues.
Right click on "My Computer ", select "Manage ". In your view you will have a number of selections. Click on "Event manager" should expand to 3 choices... applications, security, system. Click on each one and look for anything red. You can "clear the view(s)" once done. Then go back and load problem programs. If they fail, go back to Event manager. If you have a errors, post them on the board.
ALSO...
Some current history... have you installed, uninstalled any programs, drivers, MS updates recently, added, changed hardware. Have the problem programs "always' dones this or recent problem.
Have you cleared all temp. and temp. internet files, defrag the drive, possible run a good "automatic" type registry cleaner.

 

As I was writing a long answer to Dennis and running my Antivirus software, my computer shut down so I guess it's a perfect opportunity to answer the first question: There is nothing new of interest in "Manage" section of my computer

This probleme as been there for a while put it use to be limited to one program and now it seems to be happening in a lot more programs. I don't know if the problem is getting worse or just because of the fact that I'm using more programs than I used to in the last few months

I did empty my temp and temp internet files a few weeks ago and nothing changed, as for defrag I'm pretty sure I've done it a nothing changed but it's been a while so I'll try it

As for recent install and unistall I really don't know since it's been doing it for a few months.

can you name a good "automatic" registry cleaner, I'm regularly using spy-sweeper, ad-aware and spybot S&D and nothing suprising comes out of those

 

RegScrubXP does a good job.

 

It might need to be cleaned. Is there any program you could put on there to check the tempuratures? Reseating the hardware also. Chkdsk? Have you done that?

 

I've used RegSeeker 1.35 on w95, w98 SE, and XP Pro. I've allowed it to delete everthing in finds with no ill affects. Just make sure the default setting for "Backup before deleting" is ticked.
Your problems...
Still to many unanswered questions. Would be very nice if you could get a through a complete AV, S&D, and Adaware scans. Of course you must be using current and updated defintions to be of any value. If you can get pass them clean, no event manager notices... my guess ... failing PS or memory chip(s). They are notorious for this type of behavior...But can be a " created effect" by inadequate cooling ... so check that out also.

sometimes when I start a game or a program, the CPU usage of course starts rising and sometimes my computer shuts down unexpectatly
If you locked up, I would be suspicious of a driver / setting / compatibility issue. But when it just shuts down, I start to lean back to hardware / cooling issues.... especially when there are no event messages stating a problem.

 

I would lean towards cooling problem also. I like RegSeeker. Try this for cleaning out. Start>run and type cleanmgr /sageset:1, OK. In the opening window, check all except compress old files and OK. Back to run and type cleanmgr /sagerun:1, OK. Disk cleanup will start. Try running your AV and spyware removers in safe mode, letting each one run by itself, nothing else running.

 

I'm trying to run RegSeeker but it keeps shutting down so I'll do it later on. As for Ad-aware and the rest, when I am able to run a complete scan, nothing shows

I'm glad you are talking about cooling because that was my first guess for the source of the problem, but I had no clue as to how to evaluate the temperature so I dropped it...do you know how??

Thanks for your time

 

You didn't mention which Satellite you have, but here is a link to Motherboard Moniter http://mbm.livewiredev.com/ They have a list for compatibilty and the Satellite is mentioned.
The laptop is old and they do collect a bunch of gunk and dust over time. I have a Dell and can use 18KFangui to moniter heat and adjust the fan but it only works on some Dells.
I know taking a laptop apart can be a daunting experience. I do my desktop every few monthes and and it makes a difference. If my laptop starts acting up I'll bite the big bullet and go for it.

 

Motherboard Monitor and
Aida32, the latter giving lots and lots of system information.

 

Well last night I downloaded Aida32 and I tried as hard as possible to make my laptop reboot and of course it did not work! The Motherboard got up to 45C (117F) and the CPU was hovering in the 60s (from 59 to 71).

This morning I got it to crash and the motherboard was at 47C and the CPU again in the 60s

I also did a defrag and it hasn't changed a thing...

I might still be on warranty so maybe I should just go where I bought it and hope they find the problem...

 

Raven,

Would need a little more info to check temp ranges;
Toshiba model#
Motherboard name

 

I bought my Laptop in 2002, it's a Toshiba Satellite 5000-X12

About my motherBoard, based from what I see in AIDA32

CPU Type: Mobile Intel Pentium IIIE, 1100 MHZ (11 X 100)
MotherBoard Name: TOSHIBA Portable PC
MotherBoard Chipset: Intel Solano i815EP

 

Processor specs.

Still looking for MoBo

 

It says in your link that the Thermal spec is 77...does that mean that the max it can go is 77. And if it does reach the Max temperature what does it do??

Big thanks for the time you are putting on this!

 

Finally found an answer for that last question. From intel;

The thermal specification is the temperature at the critical point on the die and usually represents the hottest point on the processor. Therefore, the Maximum thermal specification represents the maximum temperature for reliable operation of the processor.

Alot of people overclock the processor for gaming, which results in hotter temps, but also in shorter life of processor. If your processor is staying in the 60 range, that's not a problem. Still unable to find anything on MoBO, but temps. you posted don't look out of whack. that coming from a non-hardware buff though. Might want to ask about it in hardware forum. Alot of those folks don't even look in here.

Have you run any online virus scans?

 

Raven,
You say the CPU was in the range of 59-71. (Celcius?) This is getting fairly warm for the CPU. It may be below the critical heat spec, but CPU's vary and some are more sensitive to temperature extremes than others. This is why some CPU's of the same speed overclock better than others, build quality. I think this may be contributing your problem. Does it crash in the first few minutes after being turned on? This would be the clue.
Make sure the CPU is set up for normal operation in the BIOS and that you are NOT overclocking in any way. Overclocking and laptops don't go well together.
When it starts crashing, place the Laptop in the fridge (yeah I know, don't laugh ) and monitor it for a while and see if this fixes it. Carefull with moisture/liquid in the fridge, so don't leave it there for hours

 

Hi Paul,

I've never touched the BIOS of any of my computers in my life so my guess is that overclocking is not the issue, but I'll check.

It never crashes in the first few minutes after being turned on (unless it's after one of the crashes). Usually what happens is that after it's been ON for a couple of hours, I start either a game or a program like ad-aware and it crashes, then when I reboot, sometimes it does crash rigth away and sometimes it doesn't, that's why it's hard to moniter the effect of any changes I do, it's not consistent.

Dave, I tried your online virus scan and guess what: my computer crashed! So I'll try it again and hope for the best...