Vladamere

OS: Windows XP SP2
Processor: Intel Centrino 1.66ghz Dual Core
Memory: 2gb (upgraded from 1gb)
Video: ATI Mobility Radeon x1400 (Omega Drivers)
HD: 80gb SATA

This problem has been going on for months.. Time to get some answers..

My laptop occasionally has some trouble starting up.. and sometimes staying on.

When trying to turn on my laptop (plugged in, or not), It typically gets to random parts of the startup process, and cuts power.. Or at least it looks like it.

When I say my laptop "cuts power", I mean it doesn't shut off entirely, but the screen goes blank, all functions cease, and power is lost to all ports, etc. But the power light remains on, and the fans remain running.

In this state, my laptop often restarts on its own (without any total power loss), but other times, it remains this way until I restart manually.

It seems that after many attempts, I can get my laptop to remain on, although at any random time later, it could do the same thing. Just stop everything.. Except the power isn't off.. Restarts itself, etc.

Usually after it's been on for a while and cuts off, I can usually start it again with no problems, and it just stops doing it altogether... But whenever I turn it off a lot, or keep it off for an extended amount of time, it begins this process all over again.. So I typically find myself keeping my laptop on all the time.

This whole thing is very strange, and I just CANNOT find a solution or figure out what's causing this. It's just SO WEIRD. You might not even believe me.

Please help. This is quite frustrating..

TriggerFinger

A few things to try just to rule out the usual suspects...

1. Run HDD diagnostic using Hitachi Drive Fitness Test or similar. Once this is done, run CHKDSK /R in Recovery Console.

2. Check for temperature. Use SpeedFan or similar programs to monitor temps.

3. Run Memtest86+ to test your RAM for errors.

Post back the results or if you have questions on how to go about the tests.

AugustusCaesar

Have you checked the temperature of the laptop? It may be that your heatsink is clogged up with dust etc and needs a clean. While you are checking that you may be as well repasting your processor too depending upon the age of your machine. Obtain a good thermal paste and spread a thin film across the processor after cleaning off any dried out or old paste from the heatsink and processor.
This is a common problem with laptops and PC's where dried out paste and/or dust can cause this issue you are having. A can of compreesed air can blow most of the dust away from the heatsink. You may need to obtain a service manual for your laptop in order to see how it comes apart. This isn't usually that difficult. Being an Advent though you may not find one.

Vladamere

Heat is not the problem. I monitor temps, and my laptop behaves this way even when starting fresh and cold. Vents are cleaned regularly.

As far as tests..

Hard Drive SMART data reports 2 offline uncorrectable sectors (I don't think the Hard Drive would cause this)

Memtest= Pass

It's just so confusing..

AugustusCaesar

Was it chkdsk that gave those errors? If not run chkdsk /r as mentioned by TriggerFinger.
Even though temperatures may not be high the paste on the processor may have dried out and could need renewing. It is worth checking and if it is OK then at least that possibility has gone and won't be hanging over you to be diagnosed in the future.
One other thing I could mention is that if you have two memory sticks installed and one is not compat with the other (even if they are the same size and type) then try removing one and move them around on the slots maybe. Come back if this all fails or is not applicable.

TriggerFinger

Vladamere

Not sure about the hard drive causing the problem. It restarts randomly at times before the HDD even spins up.

I checked my memory especially to be compatible with my laptop. Both sticks are exactly the same, and are only a few months old.

Btw chkdsk passes, nothing's wrong.

TriggerFinger

Just to rule them out.. run Memtest86+ to test your RAM (test one stick at a time for at least 2 hours each) also run HDD diagnostics to test your drive for any hardware problems. If both of these pass the tests then it could be your Windows installation.

Vladamere

My Windows installation causing system collapse? Let alone with no error report or event log to match it? Highly unlikely.

Besides..
No software loaded= Almost certinly a hardware problem

The problem occurs when I first try to start it up most of the time. It appears to progress more and more into the startup process while randomly "shutting off". Eventually, it remains on, but will soon do the same thing several hours from now. Sometimes restarting itself, other times, shutting off completely after sitting there lifeless for several minutes.

Maybe it didn't come across too well the first time I explained what exactly happens when my laptop (I will refer to it as "passing out") passes out.

- It happens at ANY time, regardless of temp or stress of the system. Totally random.
- Screen immediately goes blank.
- The only remaining light on the LED's is the "POWER ON" light
- No speaker feedback
- No power to any ports
- Fans remain running

(It would almost appear that the system has suddenly gone into standby. Although not the case.)

WHEN THIS OCCURS, ONE OF A FEW THINGS HAPPENS..
-Laptop shuts off completely after remaining lifeless for any random time.
-Restarts itself (At times, I walk away and come back to my system restarted anew)
- When I attempt to restart manually, it will sometimes DO ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. Power light comes on, but nothing. Fans turn on when temps go up, but nothing else. Other times, it will be lifeless, and then suddenly will begin the startup process

Judging by these things, I can rule out that the following things are definitely NOT the problem..

Hard Drive- Doesn't even get a chance to load any software most of the time. No way this is the problem.

RAM - This problem STILL occured even with my older RAM. It's brand-spanking new, compatible, and tested. As for the RAM SLOTS? Maybe- Although unlikely, what do you think?

I don't know much about power supply..

Is it possible that something is shorting out, or something that regulates power is malfunctioning? (Remember, this occurs with or without A/C plugged in)

Your support is much appreciated! Let's get to the bottom of this!

TriggerFinger

Hi Vlademere,

Have you run the tests? It is no use saying they are OK when you have not run any of the tests to prove it. But then again it's your call.

AugustusCaesar

TriggerFinger is correct Vladimir. It may sound tedious and boring and all that but even tests can give false reports now and again. Check these one more time. you've nothing to lose after all.
I can maybe point to a suspect power supply on the mobo which if faulty will be hard to rectify without getting a soldering iron to it. Have you tried to remove the HDD and other parts including the monitor connetcor on the mobo to see if any problems occur otherwise. If the HDD is not connected I know Windows won't boot (obviously) but at least it may eliminate any shorts from the drive to the system. Look at other connections too and take them offline (unplug cable connectors inside laptop)... wireless card for example.

pashton73

My advent 7091 does exactly the same thing - did you ever find a solution?? please let me know if you did - i really want to be able to keep this lappy - pashton73@hotmail.com