Advent laptop keeps shutting down!

Caffeine_buzz

Hi all

I bought an Advent ERT2250 from Currys about a week ago. Since then it has shut down 3 times of its own accord while being used.

The screen goes black and the battery light goes from green to orange. When you hit the power button the laptop restarts and advises you to enter "safe mode" as windows shut down incorrectly.

Not sure if this is relevent but each time this has happened I've been transferring music to Itunes from windows (twice I was connected to the internet)...

I'll be taking it back to Currys but do you think the problem will mean the laptop will have to be wiped? It's already taken me a week to transfer my music!!

Any help would be appreciated as I (evidently) haven't a clue! :rolleyes:

CB

JonnyThunder

I don't think the laptop will need to be wiped - sounds like a power issue (possibly faulty battery)? However, if they think it's something serious they will likely just offer you a replacement - so i'd be prepared to lose the data anyway so you're not disappointed.

Besides - i'd prefer to have to copy the music again as opposed to having a 'repaired' laptop.

Caffeine_buzz

Thanks!

I know its better to get the laptop fixed and not worry about the data - but its so fustrating! (and I'm a little bit lazy!)

I'll bring it back and see what they say...better start saving those files somewhere else just in case!

thanks again

JonnyThunder

I can fully appreciate your laziness. I know exactly how you feel! :T

In the end tho - go for a brand new laptop if possible. It's worthwhile in the long run.

fen

Your problem is going to be either a hardware or software related problem.

If your problem is a hardware problem then you will be covered under the warranty.

The problem is, if it is caused by software then you might run into a few problems. The reason - because the software provided by third party software companies may cause your computer to become instable and crash all the time. (thus not covered under your warranty)

So if your were able to get your computer exchanged and you loaded the same programs that caused a conflict - you might then be in the same boat.

What I suggest - you call the warranty line to determine whether it is a software or hardware fault. This may take a little time but a least you will know if it is a software or hardware fault.

If it is a software problem and you cann't solve it - then I suggest you get a software support package (it saves you calling a premuim rate telephone number) Unfortunately there is no free software support telephone numbers that I know off

Hope this Helps

JonnyThunder

Actually, variants of the blaster virus shut down your PC - but it's usually within the first couple of minutes. It your PC is running for ages and then shuts down, my money is on temperature / battery related hardware.

The problem is that a helpline won't usually be able to help you diagnose if the problem is software based, IF it's software you've added after you got the PC.

If you live in Aberdeen then I can probably help! :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

fen

JonnyThunder wrote: »

Actually, variants of the blaster virus shut down your PC - but it's usually within the first couple of minutes. It your PC is running for ages and then shuts down, my money is on temperature / battery related hardware.

The problem is that a helpline won't usually be able to help you diagnose if the problem is software based, IF it's software you've added after you got the PC.

If you live in Aberdeen then I can probably help! :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

This really re-iterates what I was saying - A virus, Spyware etc etc etc > Are all software related and are not covered by warranty.

People do think that if the computer/notebook stops working that automatically it is a fault with the computer. ie a hardware fault - even some virus's write themselves to the master boot record (MBR) and can simulate a hardware fault. (sorry to get a bit techy)

What I am trying to say is - A warranty on any computer will not cover software issues.

The majority of computer problems are caused by software. (I mean any sort of code - includes virus, spyware etc)

The trick is finding out which is causing the problem.

The problem the ADVENT before was experiencing would need some diag's.
I.e. When it switches off - Does it stay off or restarts (does it always goes to a error screen) - Each answer gives a clue to the problem.
Has the EVENT VIEWER checked to errors on the system or application tabs.
Has the device manager been checked for any conflicts or hardware drivers that may have corrupted?

I could go on and on - But these are the sorts diag's and questions that would need to be done/asked.

:think: :think:

JonnyThunder

I gotta say, in laptops we see a huge hardware failure rate compared to desktops. Out of around 4,500 PCs I support - most laptop problems are batteries / fans / memory.

Its hard to know whats up with the PC. If I were sitting at it, I could probably tell fairly quick!

Caffeine_buzz

fen wrote: »

The trick is finding out which is causing the problem.

The problem the ADVENT before was experiencing would need some diag's.
I.e. When it switches off - Does it stay off or restarts (does it always goes to a error screen) - Each answer gives a clue to the problem.
Has the EVENT VIEWER checked to errors on the system or application tabs.
Has the device manager been checked for any conflicts or hardware drivers that may have corrupted?

When it switches off it stays off...

As for event viewer/device manager ....huh?:embarasse

Sorry I wouldn't even know where to start! I'm ok getting the thing to download music and send emails but that's about the limit of my knowledge Anything even remotely techy and I'm :whistle: :whistle:

And like a total idiot I didn't even take the cover with it! :mad:

Nikolai

To open event viewer, go to start > run
in the run box, type
eventvwr.msc
When it opens, in the left pane, click on System and look for events marked 'Error'
You can double click these for more info.
If you find any around the time of the shutdown, post them here and somenone will try and interpret them. You can also follow the link to the microsoft help and support centre from within the error details.
Look in application and the other ones too.

JonnyThunder

OK, so if we start at the beginning the. I have some questions....

(1) Is your computer fully patched (got all the latest Windows Updates)?

(2) Can you pin-point the times when it shuts down? Is it certain applications or does it just happen in anything at all?