Locks Up.

Laptop is acting like shite.

Started locking up for no apparent reason, re-formatted twice so in essence I'm starting off with a new system.
Still, about 2 minutes after boot, acts normal then freezes.

Memory card failure?

Any ideas welcome, ta.

[S.T.Chapman]

Originally Posted by harleyhog

Laptop is acting like shite.

Started locking up for no apparent reason, re-formatted twice so in essence I'm starting off with a new system.
Still, about 2 minutes after boot, acts normal then freezes.

Memory card failure?

Any ideas welcome, ta.

hard drive bearings could be getting hot?
laptops very susseptable to wierd faults

[Roger]

Originally Posted by harleyhog

Laptop is acting like shite.

Started locking up for no apparent reason, re-formatted twice so in essence I'm starting off with a new system.
Still, about 2 minutes after boot, acts normal then freezes.

Memory card failure?

Any ideas welcome, ta.

Probably connections. A whole mass of flexible pcb cables inside. Take the memory out first, that should be easy to get to (usually a little panel on the base) Clean edge connectors and reseat. Make sure they seat firmly. If that doesn't cure it - next most likely is CPU, but that means delving inside.

[Roddy_the_Dog]

A good long soak in a bucket of Diesel then liberal use of a wire brush..

Works every time

Originally Posted by Roddy_the_Dog

A good long soak in a bucket of Diesel then liberal use of a wire brush..

That was the first thing I tried, but used parraffin instead, for some weired reason it didn't work.

[Roddy_the_Dog]

It must be your transistors then or may be the cathode ray tube!!

Have you tried hitting it with a slipper

[robbiemac]

One way way of finding/eliminating problem, If you have more that one stick of RAM installed, remove one stick and run it up and use it for a bit. If it's running ok close down and swap the RAM sticks over. If it freezes up, there's the culprit. I have used this method in the past and it works for me. Also, check that the CPU fan is working, if it aint it will cause the CPU to overheat and stop.
best of luck with this.

Does sound like hard drive problem, but i would boot up in safe mode just to eliminate any driver problems, also if you can check the system event log this will log any disk errors if you find any - junk your hard drive-

to boot safe mode press f8 just as xp starts then select safe mode.

Formatted twice.
Still wouldn't play nice, took out the memory, cleaned the contacts etc.
Formatted again and.....
I *think* the comp was trying to install service pack 2 in the background without me knowing about it, finally got it installed.

I've got 5 separate windows open, first time I could do that since my woes began.

Looks like I'm back, paraffin puddles willing, thanks peeps.

[Hawkeye]

If screen is locking ie picture still visible but nothing works it may be the processor overheating. Fan not working or blocked with fluff.

It may also be a driver that you are installing after the XP install