BIMJNR

Hi Guys I really need some help

OK I am trying to fix a laptop and it has me totally stumped

First Symptom
Turning itself off
Second Symptom
Blue Screen

At first I thought it was an overheating problem so I stripped the laptop down and cleaned the processor, heat sync and fan

After a rebuilding it then started blue screening and still swiching itself off so I then thought it was RAM so I removed 1 stick and then the other with no difference in results

I then ran eurosoft PC Check and the laptop has been fine running that live from the CD all day with no hardware problems detected so far

I am yet to run the motherboard and HDD checks as these (I thought) seemed the least likely

any suggestions as to
a) what to try next
b) what the hell the probelm is?

all help greatly appreciated and recieved
Thanks in advance BIM :(

TriggerFinger

Hi,

BIMJNR

This gets more and more puzzling....it has systematically passed every test that I have run

All memory (both dimms L1,L2 Cache and video)
Processor
HDD
Motherboard
and System Stress test

this has now taken a combined time of 3 hours and yet if I try and boot from the HDD into windows it will switch off very quickly (I have deleted all partitions slow formatted with NTFS and reinstalled XP, sorry I forgot to mention that)

all that has been left untested is the BIOS so where form here?

TriggerFinger

Try running off CD drive like BartPE XP or Linux LiveCD. If symptoms persist then for sure it is hardware.

BIMJNR

I just tried to run ubuntu live from the CD and the laptop just turned off like before so now I just need to pin it down to the specific piece of hardware

but as it is the same with a live CD I can rule out HDD I assume?

TriggerFinger

What I usually do is to remove the HDD, even if I boot from CD drive. That way I am sure HDD is really out of the way.

BIMJNR

I removed the HDD and booted from CD and it still switches itself off (from cold)

It seems to be anything that has a desktop GUI that is a problem

I have tried the RAM modules in 5 different combos (both together and then each module on thier own in each slot) and that makes no difference either (any chance its both sticks?)

all hardware has passed my diagnostic disks so I am now at a brick wall :(

TriggerFinger

So each time GUI starts laptop shuts off? Did it shut off when you ran PC diagnostics?

BIMJNR

No it doesn't always even get to the GUI, it just sems to object to the more demanding stuff like windows or linux

It ran the diagnostic for about 4 hours with no problems, then when I try windows again it last between 30 seconds and 5 minutes before switching off

if it didn't do all of this from stone cold I would suspect overheating but it can't be getting that hot in 30 seconds can it?

TriggerFinger

Does it happen when the laptop is slightly moved?

BIMJNR

No its totally still on a desk so its not moving at all

TriggerFinger

I know.. what I need to know like is if it would shut off if you are running the diagnostic and you try to slightly move the laptop or lift the laptop up.

So far with what we have in evidence, I am leaning towards a faulty video chip/card. This is most often part of the motherboard while in some this can be replaced on its own.

BIMJNR

That has got to be the strangest test ever LOL

but I gave a good shake and (whilst running the diagnostic program) it has stayed on

sorry for totally misunderstanding your previous post BTW, when I first read it I just completely didn't catch the meaning but looking back now I feel a proper n00b

TriggerFinger

Sorry my asking of too many questions... when you say 'shut off' you mean the whole laptop right? No power to the whole laptop and not just the LCD going out... correct?

About the slight movement/lifting the laptop, some laptops have a loose GPU problem thus regardless in GUI or not (like for example doing the diags), any slight movement will turn the laptop off. I had my T42 fixed a month back because of this problem... paid $50 to have it fixed.

BIMJNR

Yeah the whole thing goes off not just the LCD

and I don't mind the questions at all as its the only way to get to the bottom of this

TriggerFinger

Yep, it surely looks like a faulty video chip. What brand/model of laptop is this?

BIMJNR

Compaq Presario V6000 Intel core Duo

TriggerFinger

Checkout the linked document below and see if the EXACT model of your laptop qualifies...

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/d...77&lc=en&cc=us

BIMJNR

It doesn't unfortunately.....seems to be the end of the road now, just need to decide if its worth the repair costs unless you can suggest anything else

Thanks for all your help

TriggerFinger

I hate to break this to you but laptop repairs are seldom cheap. Motherboards for your model would run like $100 to $200. See eBay:

http://shop.ebay.com/items/?_nkw=tes...OARD&_osacat=0