Laptop's dying?

[brightsky]

This happened for a few months already, and it's gradually getting worse and worse. I would open my laptop, it would run for about 30 mins - an hour, and then it would shut down completely on its own. These few days, the time span between when I start up my computer and when it just shuts down has become less and less, to the point where it would just turn off after 2 secs of opening the computer. I brought it to the IT technician and he tried to re-image the computer, but it shut down half-way, and as the re-imaging process takes about 40 mins, the IT guy couldn't do anything about it. He said that it's most likely not a battery/AC adapter malfunction.

Also, I've seen to have a foreign virus on my computer. Four icons are tenacious on my desktop, and every time I dump them in the recycling bin and restart the computer, it just turns up again. One of the icons is a super mario guy. But my anti-virus/greyware/malware software couldn't detect anything. The IT guy said it's probably a icon derived from a Chinese website and he could only detect it using a Chinese anti-virus program. But the problem is, I can't install any Chinese software onto my laptop (it's English-based) without it causing more problems.

Any help/suggestion/ideas would be most appreciated. The technician suggested me to by a new laptop. Any other alternatives??

[monokekie]

mm, if i were in your shoes, i would re-install the comp or just format the disk...(i usually just get a windows disk and just put it in the DVD-rom)

as you said, it might be the viruses causing the turmoil, the comp's software might have been stuffed up, but not the hardware. try to fix it first before you purchase a new one

[brightsky]

But how long would that take? Cos the IT guy tried formatting the computer but it shut down half way.

[GerrySly]

The IT guy said it's probably a icon derived from a Chinese website and he could only detect it using a Chinese anti-virus program.

Virus' don't changed based on what country you live in. In fact Russians are typically the guys with the large botnets (doesn't mean you need a Russian anti-virus program). Sounds like the IT guy is trying to get your cash.

Anyway, if you try to reformat the computer and it is still shutting down then it is a hardware problem (i.e. get a new laptop / check the hardware [not sure how to do this on a laptop]) because once you format the computer you are no longer running on an OS (you're running from the disc)

[brightsky]

Thanks for the post.

Lol, I initially tried to get rid of the virus myself using the programs on my laptop, but they detected nothing. I was 90% sure it was a virus because it would automatically change the home page of all my internet browsers and because of its prevalent nature (it's just doesn't go away!).

I once brought it to AWA in the city and they said that it was a virus causing all those problems and I paid ~$100 for him to get rid of the virus. He didn't get rid of it, firstly, and secondly, he ended up screwing some of the system settings as well.

Yeah, I've been thinking it's probably a hardware problem, or even worse a system board problem. But I don't know how to fix it in fear of screwing up something and causing new problems.

Also, are you saying that once a reformat the computer, it would be working alright again?

[samuch]

when you start up your comp, you know when DOS or watever its called starts up? try going into settings and find where it says that you can go back to a date when your comp was working fine... i cant remember how i did this but i did do this once and everything went back to normal because it erases everything that occurred on the comp after that date...
i hope that made some sense

edit: system restore i think its called

[brightsky]

Thanks will try that. But if it is a hardware fault, would that fix it?

[samuch]

if its the virus then that will fix it, if its hardware then you have to get it repaired... take it to the company's factory thingo

[brightsky]

if its the virus then that will fix it, if its hardware then you have to get it repaired... take it to the company's factory thingo

Hmm, would you suggest buying a new laptop, or buy new hardware? I mean, buying new hardware could cost hundreds of dollars, and why not spend the money on getting a new laptop?

[samuch]

do you have a warranty? whats teh laptops brand

oh and when it shuts down like that, it could be because its over heating? thats what happens to my desktop sometimes

[brightsky]

do you have a warranty? whats teh laptops brand

oh and when it shuts down like that, it could be because its over heating? thats what happens to my desktop sometimes

Nah outta warranty already.

Yeah, my comp tends to heat up quite a bit. But that wouldn't explain shutting down after 2 secs does it? :p

[QuantumJG]

Overheating could definately be the cause.

What does your battery say when you start the computer?

[samuch]

i say get a new one if nothing else suggested up there^ works

[brightsky]

Overheating could definately be the cause.

What does your battery say when you start the computer?

Oh yeah, the battery never charges. When it's charging normally, the orange light should be on all the time, and when it's done charging, the light would turn green. But now, the orange light would stay on for, say, 3 seconds and then switch off, and the turn on again, etc. etc. The charging icon on the menu always stays at 0% and at max around 40%.

The computer lasts longer when the charger is plugged in. When its not, the computer would shut down within moments of me pressing the start up button.

[samuch]

Overheating could definately be the cause.

What does your battery say when you start the computer?

Oh yeah, the battery never charges. When it's charging normally, the orange light should be on all the time, and when it's done charging, the light would turn green. But now, the orange light would stay on for, say, 3 seconds and then switch off, and the turn on again, etc. etc. The charging icon on the menu always stays at 0% and at max around 40%.

The computer lasts longer when the charger is plugged in. When its not, the computer would shut down within moments of me pressing the start up button.

maybe a new battery?

getting a new one could be easier but more expensive