Laptop keeps freezing, a few minutes after restart...

[Sinnerx96]

Troubleshooting starter

1. Overview of the problem
   I have an HP Pavillion DV9500 Laptop that freezes, and I am forced to manually shutdown. It freezes every time I start it back up.
   
   
2. Full description of the problem and symptoms
   I have an HP Pavillion DV9500 Laptop with Windows Vista Ultimate 64. It worked great, until this problem started out of nowhere. It freezes. Nothing responds(not even CTL+ALT+DEL), except the mouse does move. I am forced to do a manual shutdown, by holding power button. It starts up fine, but freezes a few minutes later. Upon starting up after a freeze, I am asked if I want to start windows normally, or in safe mode. I have tried in safe mode, and this still happens.
   
   It doesn't seam to freeze because of any particular software that I run. It would still freeze if I just let it sit idle as well. Just to clarify, this does not happen randomly. I have not been able to use my laptop since this started happening. It freezes, I manually shutdown, power on, then it freezes again after a few minutes.
   
   
   
3. Did it work normally at one time, or has the problem always existed?
   It worked perfectly fine from the time I bought it, to the time this problem started. I don't think I've ever had any kind of problem with this laptop, at all.
   
   
   
4. Is the problem consistent and repeatable, or entirely random, or semi-random?
   It happens every single time that I turn the system back on.
   
   
   
5. I already tried these steps:
   -I tried starting in safe mode
   -I tried windows update, but it freezes before I can get anywhere
   -I tried updating drivers, but it freezes before I can get anywhere
   -I installed new compatible memory, but same problem
   -I checked Event Viewer, but found nothing
   -I tried cleaning out all air vents with compressed air
   -I tried with running on the battery only, battery + power supply, & only power supply
   -I can't run any virus scanners, because it freezes a couple minutes in
   -I was able to run Ccleaner's Cleaner & Registry cleaner
   
   
   
6. My software:
   • 
     Windows Vista Ultimate 64 SP1
     Avira Ativir Personal
   
   
   
   
7. My hardware
   • 
     HP Pavillion DV9500 Laptop
     
     -Core 2 Duo 2.5ghz NOT OC'ed
     -Nvidia 8600S
     -3gb's DDR2 667 1.8v (Now, 4gb's G.Skill DDR2 800 1.8v
     -HP Power Supply
     -200gb HD that is just about full. Could this have anything to do with it?
   
   
   
   ***I'm hoping that someone might be able to help me to resolve this problem, without losing all of my files. My 200gb HD is almost completely full, and there's not much on there that I could stand to lose. Otherwise, I'd just use the recovery dvd. Please, help.
   
   .

 

[dfuze]

I don't think it's your almost full hard drive. I think windows pops up a message saying your almost full if it is.

I remember a while back reading about Nvidia having trouble with their mobile video cards, maybe this is the cause of it? (I'm leaning towards this one)
Or maybe are temps getting out of control (especially thinking video)?
Maybe try booting with a linux live CD (Ubuntu?) and see if it freezes still.

 

[mpilchfamily]

Sounds like the system may be OCing. Try seeing if there is a bios update for your model. An updated bios may up the default fan speed on your unit and help prevent overheating.

 

[Sinnerx96]

A slight update:

I found out that I can now boot up the laptop in safe mode. It will stay idle just fine, and even with some web browsing or opening of files. But, as soon as I try to transfer files or download something, it freezes again. I don't know what to do. This data on the laptop is important, and I need to get it off that machine.

 

[Sinnerx96]

Is there a way that I can use another system to access the files on the laptop, without starting vista on the laptop? So I can move the files to my pc. Anyone have any other suggestions?

 

[playgroundtwister]

Originally posted by: Sinnerx96
Is there a way that I can use another system to access the files on the laptop, without starting vista on the laptop? So I can move the files to my pc. Anyone have any other suggestions?

You could try taking it out and put it in an external enclosure. Plug it in any system just like hooking up an external drive and access it from there.

 

[usadapter]

You almost use all of the ways to solve the problem, and there is no other methods that can help you, please take it to a technician.

 

[JesseKnows]

Overheating? Does the fan sound similar to what it sounded like when the machine worked OK?