Presario C791WU freezing and won't shut down

Lona · Feb 04, 2010, 16:53:07

My son's laptop just over 12months old keeps freezing and won't shut down.

I've checked everything I can think of and all tests state no errors.

I'm wondering could it be a dirty fan and if it is how the hell do you remove the back of a laptop.

I read on the HP forum that it can be a windows update that's the cause.

I'm reluctant to take the back off until I explore all other causes.

At the moment I'm downloading Vista SP1 and will see if that makes a difference.

Rik · Feb 04, 2010, 16:53:43

Glenn's probably your best bet on this, Lona.

Glenn · Feb 04, 2010, 17:13:37

I would think that is is a software problem, rather than a hardware issue with the machine. Have you run a check disk on the drive, it can correct errors in the file structure?

To ger rid of the dust, buy a can of compressed air, with the laptop turned off, blow out any dust through the fan.

Rik · Feb 04, 2010, 17:14:30

I told you so.

Lona · Feb 04, 2010, 17:28:35

Quote from: Glenn on Feb 04, 2010, 17:13:37
I would think that is is a software problem, rather than a hardware issue with the machine. Have you run a check disk on the drive, it can correct errors in the file structure?

To ger rid of the dust, buy a can of compressed air, with the laptop turned off, blow out any dust through the fan.

I've ran a a checkdisk and all was fine. If I use canned air would it not blow the dust all through the other parts of the laptop.?

Rik · Feb 04, 2010, 17:30:36

I think the airflow is fairly 'ducted' in a laptop, Lona.

Glenn · Feb 04, 2010, 17:33:38

Only through the radiator (most laptops are liquid cooled these days), best to blow in through the fan exhaust, as any build-up will be on the inside edge of the radiator, and along the leading edge of the fan blades.

Lona · Feb 04, 2010, 17:38:23

Thanks Glenn, will give it a go. I have canned air and use it on my desktop frequently. Laptop is still updating vista sp1 at the moment and I'm getting a bit worried as it's stuck on 0xco1a001d 32751/90177 for over 15mins.

Windows update warns you not to switch off your pc but I can't sit here all night. I think there's something wrong.

Glenn · Feb 04, 2010, 17:42:58

Leave it for while, make yourself a drink, have your dinner. Last time I updated a PC to Vista SP1 it took over an hour.

Lona · Feb 04, 2010, 17:51:10

I don't think that's the case Glenn

http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en/itprovistasp/thread/f4706d65-3633-461e-88f8-473914ee7c4a

Glenn · Feb 04, 2010, 18:06:31

Sounds like the best bet is to rebuild it then.

Steve · Feb 04, 2010, 18:12:03

Good excuse for Windows 7

Lona · Feb 04, 2010, 18:30:04

Quote from: Glenn on Feb 04, 2010, 18:06:31
Sounds like the best bet is to rebuild it then.

Had to do a recovery Steve. Now I'm scared to download sp1 again.

cavillas · Feb 04, 2010, 19:21:41

Try turning off windows sounds as sometimes a corrupt sound file can cause that problem.

Lona · Feb 04, 2010, 19:46:45

Downloaded vista sp1 again but not from windows update. Saved it to file, then disabled antiviurus and anything else that was running and it stalled OK.

I would advise anybody downloading sp1 not to install with antivirus running as I think that was the culprit.

Steve · Feb 04, 2010, 19:52:46

Good news Lona,your probably right about the AV, its a recommendation to turn them off for these sort of upgrades,however the problem next time is remembering

BTW there's SP2 as well.

Glenn · Feb 04, 2010, 19:59:37

And SP3..............

Windows7

Lona · Feb 04, 2010, 20:03:06

Quote from: Steve on Feb 04, 2010, 19:52:46
Good news Lona,your probably right about the AV, its a recommendation to turn them off for these sort of upgrades,however the problem next time is remembering BTW there's SP2 as well.

I think I'll quit while I'm ahead. Still dunno if it will solve the freezing problem so I might have gone to all that trouble for nothing. $:-\$

Den · Feb 04, 2010, 21:35:18

It makes sense to put the SP on Lona, for a start it makes windows much safer but you really should install SP2 as well.

Lona · Feb 04, 2010, 23:28:00

I'll think about it Den. $:-\$

Simon · Feb 05, 2010, 00:10:08

Well done on sorting it, Lona.

Gary · Feb 05, 2010, 07:24:33

Quote from: Lona on Feb 04, 2010, 23:28:00
I'll think about it Den. $:-\$

If you disable the AV and antispyware and download the full SP2 you should be fine, AV have deep hooks into the OS and can cause all sorts of issues when updating, on my old laptop I uninstalled my AV beforehand to make sure.

Lona · Feb 08, 2010, 23:39:43

I should have listened to you Gary. Put sp2 on laptop and it installed fine so decided to put it on my desktop and had to uninstall it as my network became an "Unidentifed network" with no connection although all the other pcs in the house had a connection.

Got my connection back after uninstall. I run AVG so perhaps I should have disabled it like you said.