NationStates Jolt Archive


Announcing the "Help buy TSI a new Computer because the old one went Kaput" Fund!

The South Islands
31-10-2005, 16:39
Well, not really, but I do have the oddest problem with my present laptop.

(I'm on a public computer now)

Anyway, when I start up my computer, and load Windows XP, everything seems to be fine...

For about 10 min. Then, I start getting a massive slowdown. As in Nothing moves on my screen for 30 sec to 1 min. Then I can move it for, perhaps 10 sec. Then it freezes again.

After 15 min from startup, roughly, a white screen pops up. My laptop's a Dell, so thats what appears on the white screen.

Suddenly, my computer shuts down. Poof! Just like that. Gone. No warning.

Then, the strangest thing of all happens. I can't restart my computer for about 2 hours after any shutdown. The power and busy lights come on for about 5 sec, then goes off.

Any Help would be appreciated!

( if you do want to contribute to the HBTSINCBOOWK fund, TG me :D )
UpwardThrust
31-10-2005, 16:44
Well, not really, but I do have the oddest problem with my present laptop.

(I'm on a public computer now)

Anyway, when I start up my computer, and load Windows XP, everything seems to be fine...

For about 10 min. Then, I start getting a massive slowdown. As in Nothing moves on my screen for 30 sec to 1 min. Then I can move it for, perhaps 10 sec. Then it freezes again.

After 15 min from startup, roughly, a white screen pops up. My laptop's a Dell, so thats what appears on the white screen.

Suddenly, my computer shuts down. Poof! Just like that. Gone. No warning.

Then, the strangest thing of all happens. I can't restart my computer for about 2 hours after any shutdown. The power and busy lights come on for about 5 sec, then goes off.

Any Help would be appreciated!

( if you do want to contribute to the HBTSINCBOOWK fund, TG me :D )


If I had to guess you have a heat problem
Pure Metal
31-10-2005, 16:46
i tried to gear up just such a fund for TIN when he needed a computer a while back - even researched how to set up to accept paypal donations and that... and then nobody was interested and nobody helped out. bloody people :headbang:
so i sent him an old PC of mine, missing a hard drive. sadly he couldn't get it working and hence had to leave NS :(

well anyway, that sad little story aside, sounds like a hardware/overheating problem to me - get dell to fix it... but remember to backup your shit as much as you can first. also, try running your PC in the freezer ;)
The South Islands
31-10-2005, 16:47
If I had to guess you have a heat problem

I thought about that too.

The thing is, I didn't change any settings or anything before this happened. It was just random.
UpwardThrust
31-10-2005, 16:47
I thought about that too.

The thing is, I didn't change any settings or anything before this happened. It was just random.
You could have had a fan go out ... that happens ... sometimes it just takes a fan rpm change rather then it compleatly stoping
The South Islands
31-10-2005, 16:51
You could have had a fan go out ... that happens ... sometimes it just takes a fan rpm change rather then it compleatly stoping

Possible.

Any way to fix it without sending it into Dell?

I'm a University student, so I can't afford to have my computer out 2-3 weeks being fixed.
The South Islands
31-10-2005, 16:53
Desktop or laptop?

Laptop.

Oh, and would an overheat explain the loss of keyboard function?
UpwardThrust
31-10-2005, 16:54
Laptop ... hard to say

I would recomend trying it with the laptop raised off the desk so their is air room and blow a fan across it
if it seems to last longer you can be fairly sure it is a heat issue
UpwardThrust
31-10-2005, 16:55
Laptop.

Oh, and would an overheat explain the loss of keyboard function?
It can wierd lockups and and other strange issues can stem from heat problems
I have even seen networkcards die cause the laptop generated too much heat
Hiberniae
31-10-2005, 16:56
Have you checked if the computer store on campus does repairs too?
The South Islands
31-10-2005, 16:57
Laptop ... hard to say

I would recomend trying it with the laptop raised off the desk so their is air room and blow a fan across it
if it seems to last longer you can be fairly sure it is a heat issue

I'll try it when I get back.

If it isn't a problem with the hardware cooling fan, is it possible to change the RPM of the fan through the initial setup menu?
UpwardThrust
31-10-2005, 16:58
Have you checked if the computer store on campus does repairs too?
Most wont do a hardware repair like this sounds

(I know I am the director of one lol)
The South Islands
31-10-2005, 16:59
Most wont do a hardware repair like this sounds

(I know I am the director of one lol)

Well, fly your ass over here and fix it for me! :p
Heron-Marked Warriors
31-10-2005, 16:59
Possible.

Any way to fix it without sending it into Dell?

I'm a University student, so I can't afford to have my computer out 2-3 weeks being fixed.

Have you tried befriending some nerd types? That might work.
UpwardThrust
31-10-2005, 17:00
I'll try it when I get back.

If it isn't a problem with the hardware cooling fan, is it possible to change the RPM of the fan through the initial setup menu?
Sometimes yes ... but all depends on the computer

But more likly the fan is going out so either local repair shop or talking to dell

Last time I delt with them they were cool though they sent ME an identical refurbished one before I had to send mine in ... so my client was only really without a computer for like a few hours before we got the new one setup lol
UpwardThrust
31-10-2005, 17:01
Well, fly your ass over here and fix it for me! :p
Lol I would but ... I have a department to run lol
The South Islands
31-10-2005, 17:04
Lol I would but ... I have a department to run lol

Bastard...

*shakes fist*

Oh, and one other thing I forgot to mention.

Sometimes the white screenm pops up, and says that I've plugged in an unsupported module in the D drive bay. Is this another symtom of overheat?
UpwardThrust
31-10-2005, 17:09
Bastard...

*shakes fist*

Oh, and one other thing I forgot to mention.

Sometimes the white screenm pops up, and says that I've plugged in an unsupported module in the D drive bay. Is this another symtom of overheat?
Hmmm I have heard of wierder things (the heat can cause drives to flake) ... honestly at this point try the fan thing

if not try a windows reinstall
The South Islands
31-10-2005, 17:10
Hmmm I have heard of wierder things (the heat can cause drives to flake) ... honestly at this point try the fan thing

if not try a windows reinstall

Alright, I'll try it.

Flaky drives. Like, crisp and flaky?
People without names
31-10-2005, 17:20
Possible.

Any way to fix it without sending it into Dell?

I'm a University student, so I can't afford to have my computer out 2-3 weeks being fixed.

shouldnt take 2-3 weeks, my sister had hers fixed and had it back within a week, i believe it was like 4 days