Laptop randomly dying.

I

ItlanChode

New Member
This laptop is old as hell, my sister gave it to me when my computer broke, but it is pretty decent. Anyway, it loads fine, but will randomly just crash, no blue screen crash or anything, just a black screen. It also makes some beeping noises sometimes.

Also, everytime I try to get into the setup, it asks for a password. Is there anyway I can reset it? I have no idea what the password is and my sister probably doesn't know either.
 
did ya try rebooting in safe mode. At any rate this my be a good time with normal or safemode goto control panel create two more user accounts with admin rights. then try logging into one of the other accounts.

and when you say setup do you mean the loggin screen?
 
Did all everyone said above. Nothing changed. Still just shuts down a couple of minutes after booting up. It doesn't shutdown in safe mode though. I'm guessing its a hardware issue.
 
ItlanChode said:
This laptop is old as hell, my sister gave it to me when my computer broke, but it is pretty decent. Anyway, it loads fine, but will randomly just crash, no blue screen crash or anything, just a black screen. It also makes some beeping noises sometimes.

Also, everytime I try to get into the setup, it asks for a password. Is there anyway I can reset it? I have no idea what the password is and my sister probably doesn't know either.
Click to expand...

Have you tried clearing out the fans of any dust/etc, could be overheating. Post what kinda temps your getting from it..
 
I want to just completely wipe the hard drive & reinstall windows.. anyone can help me with this? I have a copy of Windows Home Edition SP 2 and Professional SP 3.
 
Just install the os, then get the drivers off the manufacturer website, or depending on what kinda graphic card, from nvdia. Anything that requires a driver should have a driver on HP's website.
 
To clean install, just put any of the 2 XP discs in and boot from the CD drive.
Pretty much just follow the instructions on screen. Then select the main partition you want to install it on.
Then it should start the installation process.

As for the heat goes, that is mighty hot. Clean it out with canned air. Shoot some into the vents of the computer.
If it still is hot, then you may have to take it apart and clean the inside thoroughly with canned air.
 
SpeedFan was also showing constant 90-97% CPU usage. Could software be causing this?

And don't I need to uninstall my current version of Windows before installing a new one?
 
ItlanChode said:
SpeedFan was also showing constant 90-97% CPU usage. Could software be causing this?
Click to expand...
More than likely. Go into task manager (Ctrl + Alt + Del) and see how many programs are running in the Processes tab
and see what programs are using the most CPU usuage.

And don't I need to uninstall my current version of Windows before installing a new one?
Click to expand...

Nope. It will delete it for you. Then it will reinstall Windows.
 
Okay, I reinstalled XP Home Edition SP2. CPU dropped about 20 degrees, but here's the problem - all my shit is still on the computer. I want it gone and I tried to delete the partition so I cna format the disk, but the damn Delete Partition option is whited out. Any ideas?
 
ItlanChode said:
Okay, I reinstalled XP Home Edition SP2. CPU dropped about 20 degrees, but here's the problem - all my shit is still on the computer. I want it gone and I tried to delete the partition so I cna format the disk, but the damn Delete Partition option is whited out. Any ideas?
Click to expand...

When you go to the install screen, there should be "press X to delete partition", X is not the key, i think its D or something but i forget. After you delete partition, format and then install;)
 
Runs a lot better, but the CPU is still averaging over 60. I removed two screws directly in the back of the laptop and tried to clean inside, and I think it was the part where the motherboard rested. Should I try to open them all up and clean? I didn't see any dust in the mobo.
 
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