Laptop freezing quite frequently...

Basq

Hello all.

Got a HP Pavilion zv5000 laptop... but it seems to be freezing a lot!

In fact, it's been doing it ever since i got it (last December). Typically seems to happens when i've a video playing and i do something in he background. For example, open a web-page / re-size the video.

But the video example is not the only case.. happens in other instances too!

Anybody got any idea why this might happen? Updated the BIOS recently... but it was the same before and after the update.

Any suggestions welcome... thanks in advance!

snappieT

Press Ctrl-Alt-Delete, go the processes list. Arrange by CPU usage. What is causing the stall?

Basq

When the computer freezes... i get absolutely no response. It locks up!

Not a chance of looking at the processes list!

SparrowHawk

I had a similiar problem with a Fujitsu/ Siemens laptop - it turned out to be the CPU overheating.

Your issue may or may not be a software conflict, but if it's been doing it since you purchased it - return it for exchange or refund.

SH

Basq

Cheers for that SparrowHawk.

The problem isn't that serious to warrant a return and i've too much stuff on the laptop to backup and stuff if i was gonna return it... it'd be a nightmare!

Think it's on warranty for another couple of months so i'll see how it pans out over the Summer months.

krinpit

basquille,

Try this: http://www.cpukiller.com/

It's not really designed for your particular scenario, but it should do the trick.

Basically, you can slow down your processor so that it doesn't overheat.

Basq

Cheers krinpit!

Will give it a go... much appreciated!

Tom Dunne

I have a zv5000 Pavillion too and would you believe it, I had the exact same problem. Mine continually locked up when playing games, which lead me to suspect a problem with the graphics drivers. Lo and behold, re-installed them and all was well.

Can you nail down the exact times it happens, e.g. opening a file, playing games, openening Explorer? This will help in determining where the problem may be.

Basq

tom dunne wrote:

I have a zv5000 Pavillion too and would you believe it, I had the exact same problem. Mine continually locked up when playing games, which lead me to suspect a problem with the graphics drivers. Lo and behold, re-installed them and all was well.

Can you nail down the exact times it happens, e.g. opening a file, playing games, openening Explorer? This will help in determining where the problem may be.

I did have lock-up's with playing games for a short while but after re-installing DirectX and my graphics card drivers.. all was fine in that respect!

It typically happens when i've a video playing and i resize it or open a browser window in the background.

Tom Dunne

I didn't re-install Direct X, I just re-installed the graphics drivers.

Give that a go and see how you get on.

Basq

tom dunne wrote:

I didn't re-install Direct X, I just re-installed the graphics drivers.

Give that a go and see how you get on.

Yeah.. sorry i mentioned that i did re-install them in the edit.