M50vm-A1 problems!

Alright, since I didn't seem to get a response from the M50Vm owner's thread, I thought I'd post here to get some insight on this issue.

I purchased an M50Vm-A1 in summer 2008, and for the first six months, it worked wonderfully. However, after that point, a few issues started to pop up. I would sometimes get disconnected from the internet and my computer would restart itself. I think this was because of a virus of some sort as I seem to have gotten rid of it (this hasn't happened in the last nine months.)

The other problem is the laptop up and freezing (I noticed there is a thread for the M50Vm-X1, but I'm not sure how alike they are other than the various part differences). No matter what happens, at random times when I am on the internet while a page is loading, the laptop will completely lock up-- no blue screen, no way of getting out short of the power button. This used to not be so prevalent months ago, however at this point it is happening at least five times a week, even with a notebook cooler running under it. I tested the ram using memtest86+ through two passes with no errors. It doesn't appear that I have CPU errors from tests done through that, either. I am willing to assume that it is either the motherboard, GPU, or the HDD (and if it were to be the HDD I conveniently have a brand new 320GB laptop drive for that).

I figure I shouldn't need to post specs, but the laptop is basically the same as it is in its normal configuration. The only difference is that I chose to have XP installed on here instead of Vista.

I would really not like to send this in to ASUS currently as I'm in need of a laptop for schoolwork constantly, but if it is the only option, I still have about 10 months left on my warranty, and can do so. I'm at wits' end with this laptop and would much rather find a way to alleviate the problem than to give up on this laptop and purchase something else.

If anyone actually bothered to read all this I am amazed, and thanks in advance.

 

Hi.
Check if Your HDD have "bad sectors" (example free utility HD Tune 2.55). If there are "bad sectors" then try to remove them with HDD producent soft. Next try reinstall OS (Windows XP or maybe Win 7 RC1). Do clean format (erase HDD MBR, but first backup Your data).
If Windows reinstalling doesn't help, install Linux Ubuntu 9.04 (this is quite easy distribution of Linux) and do some test's.
If Ubuntu doesn't help - send Your Notebook to Asus Service. Will not remain other choice..
Good luck!

 

If it is locking up during browsing it could also be some issue due to internet security software you are using.
Maybe you should try to reinstall windows also. It could very well be some Xp problems.
Also try to find some updated drivers for LAN card.
I experienced some problems with my M50Vm where many times my downloads were corrupted under very high speed network and sometimes I used to lose network connection where I had to reboot to fix it.
It took me 5 months to find out that all the realtek lan drivers for vista where crappy.
My problem was solved by using a newer driver which was actually released for win 7.

Also try to find out if the ASUS power4gear is not responsible. I had on my old asus notebook some problems before with power4gear under xp.

Good luck.