How to resolve shutdown problems?

I have a laptop that keeps shuting down. It gives no warning and shows no error message when restarting. The fan stays on most of the time and I can feel heat moving out of the back of the laptop. I cant run the computer for no more then a half a day before it turns off, at the most. Is it a dust problem? Thermostat problem? Help.

This question was answered on November 3, 2004. Much of the information contained herein may have changed since posting.

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I don't think dust is the problem.

Try this following steps.

Update your system files using Windows Update

In Windows XP Home Edition, you must be logged on as a computer administrator to install components or modify Automatic Updates settings In Windows XP Professional, you must be logged on as an administrator or a member of the Administrators group If your computer is connected to a network, network policy settings might also prevent you from completing this procedure.

Windows Update is a catalog of items such as drivers, security fixes, critical updates, the latest Help files, and Internet products that you can download to keep your computer up-to-date.

Open Windows Update in Help and Support Center

On the Windows Update home page, click Scan for updates

Click Yes when prompted to install any required software or device drivers

Note

Windows Update scans your computer for outdated system files and lets you replace them with the most recent versions

If this does'nt work.

Repair your installation of Windows

Place the Windows XP CD in the CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive

If the Windows CD displays the What would you like to do? menu, click Exit

Turn off your computer, wait ten seconds, and then turn your computer back on

If you are prompted to start your computer from the CD, do so

After Windows XP Setup starts, press ENTER to continue the setup process

Press ENTER to choose the option To set up Windows XP now, press ENTER Do not choose the Recovery Console option

Press F8 to accept the licensing agreement

At this point, the Setup program will search for previous installations of Windows XP If Setup does not find a previous installation of Windows XP, then you might have a hardware failure Click No, I still have a problem when I try to start Windows below, and then click Next to continue troubleshooting

If Setup does find a previous installation of Windows XP, then the following message will appear:

" If one of the following Windows XP installations is damaged, setup can try to repair it.

Use the up and down arrows to select an installation.

To repair the selected installation Press R.

To continue without repairing, Press Esc."

Choose the appropriate installation of Windows XP, and then press R to attempt to repair it

Follow the remaining directions on your screen

Notes

You might need to change the boot drive sequence in your BIOS settings in order to successfully start your computer from the Windows CD Contact the manufacturer of your computer, or see your manufacturer's documentation, for more information

If you are unable to start your computer from the Windows XP CD, then you might have a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive failure or other hardware failure

About the author

Posted by gilbert of Katharine Gibbs School - New York on November 3, 2004

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