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Windows Vista forum: Vista crappa !

by: litemoto May 29, 2010 1:27 PM PDT

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Vista crappa !

by litemoto - 5/29/10 1:27 PM

hello, today while "browsing" the web, I suffered 2 seperate "spontaneous shut downs", where the screen went black, and the laptop shut down ... for no apparent reason. Obviously , I was able to re-start, and continue. I use an aircard connection, and Gateway laptop 2008 vintage.It is a "lower priced" grade of laptop,but generally adequate for my use ... I was using Norton anti-virus, but just this past week subscribed to "Registry Easy" , which I was told would help my ability to download the Ebay program, which until recently , I could not do.I am still having problems downloading programs, even when my aircard signal strength "meter" reads I am at full strength.I am not a "whiz-bang" kinda guy with computer tech, but I do have a legitimate interest in making my computer run well.I don't use my laptop to download music, or play online games.I run scans frequently, and de-frag regularly as well. Can someone please advise me on what else I can do to optimize the performance, while also protecting from the evil things one can open their computer up to while being online ? Thanx, I'll be back to check, and update on progress.


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My first thought.

by MarkFlax Moderator - 5/30/10 3:14 AM

In Reply to: Vista crappa ! by litemoto

No expert myself, but my first thought is 'heat'.

Given the age of this laptop I bet you've never cleaned it? A spontaneous shutdown is often a sign of overheating and that could mean the air vents are clogged up. It's a relatively easy thing to resolve in a Desktop PC, but not so in a laptop.

However, have a look at Bob (Proffitt's), guidelines in the Laptop Troubleshooting forum sticky thread here;
http://forums.cnet.com/5208-19681_102-0.html?messageID=3196452#3196452
(Post #6)

Post #7 might be useful as well.

Other than that, what is this "Registry Easy" program you have installed? We often here horror stories of so called "Registry cleaners and Optimisers", and tend to suggest users stay away from them.

Mark


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cleaning

by litemoto - 5/30/10 5:35 AM

In Reply to: My first thought. by MarkFlax Moderator

Mark, I haven't done a "proper" cleaning I'm sure, ...by that I reckon you mean to , what? take it apart to some degree, and blow it out with canned air ? I have tried that, without any disassembly, as in: throught the vents underneath. I also keep the laptop on top of 2 wooden slats which are 1/2" in thickness while in use(to enable air flow to the bottom)...(while at home base)
The registry cleaner was rated as safe,and effective by an independent site.Also , saw it on Cnet,with similar credit...intially , my ability to "load" Ebay , was greatly improved, and still is, but there are searches I still cannot perform.Also,I don't have an excessive amount of pics/documents/folders on my computer drive, which would contribute to this ? I don't like any downloads, that are unnessasary,for a couple of reasons, but as I stated previously, I'm just an amateur, trying to use the web for business expansion...


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Well,

by MarkFlax Moderator - 5/30/10 5:41 AM

In Reply to: cleaning by litemoto

there's a video on laptop cleaning that may show you more, here;
http://cnettv.cnet.com/clean-up-your-laptop/9742-1_53-23876.html

About eBay. I can't think why some searches work but others don't. Does this problem happen using other browsers?

Mark


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Thank you Mark.

by R. Proffitt Moderator - 5/30/10 5:38 AM

In Reply to: My first thought. by MarkFlax Moderator

The Cnet Laptop Troubleshooting forum covers it well enough but here's the BIG DEAL. No one tells the new laptop owner that a YEARLY BLAST of canned air can head off troubles like this and extend the life.

Think of it as ANTIVIRUS FOR DUST BUNNIES.
Bob


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