Laptop components going bad?

Hey guys,
Im hoping someone can help me with a few questions reguarding one of my laptops.I currently have 2 Toshiba Qosmio F-25's one started acting up about a week ago with random freezing while in windows and now when booting up sometimes it will hang before it even gets to the Bio's screen all dashboard lights (power,processor activity,ect) stay solid and the fan will go full speed.I also notice the system runs alot hotter then in the past and alot hotter then my other identical laptop.Already cleaned dust from the fan/vents and applied new thermal paste to the heatsinks.

Now here is the question.I already tryed swapping HDD's which didnt solve the issue.Tryed swapping Ram as well with no change.So im pretty sure the Motherboard,processor or graphics card is causing the problem.So...

Since the laptop does work randomly and quite well when it wants to can i rule out the processsor being bad?
Since i do get picture on screen and when in windows movies,games,ect work flawless can i rule out the graphics card?

Motherboards for this particular laptop are around $300 so i would hate to go buy a new processor,graphics card,ect for nothing only to have to get a motherboard.Any help would be great.Thankjs

 

try taking the battery out then with the laptop off, hold the power button in for 30 seconds that will reset the BIOS...

it's worth a try anyway!!

but it sounds to me like either a bad connecton (internal cable, or RAM or some other removable item like the WIFI, modem, or even the CD or HDD not getting good connection)

that might give you a place to start

 

You have a GPU MoBo issue?

 

Hey guys,Thanks for the replies so far.Last night i completely dissassembled the laptop then reconnected everything to make sure all connections were good.Just turned it on and was met with a BSoD which flashed to quick to read.Just disabled auto reboot so next time i can copy it.2nd restart and the system is working so far so now i wait to see if it locks up again.

@powerpack-
Im not sure if it's a GPU issue yet that is what im trying to determine or rule out so i know what i need to replace to fix the problem.

 

Check if there is a Minidump folder in the Windows Directory.

 

Hey again,
Just got the BSoD again this time i was able to catch it and looks like RAM.

Now i cant get it to boot past the windows loading screen so i cant get the minidump.Hopefully the info from the BSoD is helpful.

Trying running Memtest86 now see what results come from it.Doing a little research shows this error can be caused by RAM,video memory or L2 Cache going bad.This should get interesting lol

 

Try booting with Last Known Good Config, or in Safe Mode....

BTW which Wireless Module have you got, Intel ??

 

Yes i have an Intel,and also already tryed Last known good config but always ends up going back to the same problem.Still got memtest running so far 20% test #6 no errors yet.I already know it cant be an issue with windows or the hard drive as i tryed two 100Gb drives both with clean factory install of XP MCE.So im stuck

Pass #2 test #8 still no errors.

 

The one part the least likely to fail is the CPU, so you could take it out of the equation.

try this:
1- download Ubuntu 8.04
2- burn it into a CD
3- boot from the Ubuntu CD. It's a live CD so you can the OS directly from the CD.

Did you buy both laptops at the same time? I'm asking because it could be that the motherboard's components in both motherboards/laptops are not the same (different revisions and possibly different drivers).

Try this an post the result.

 

Try physically disconnecting the Intel Wireless Module, and then boot.
Verify in the BIOS or somewhere, that it is not being detected.

EDIT: First try booting in Safe Mode (without networking) !!

I guess not a H/W problem - 'Page File' - related to OS, so driver issue probably.

 

I got the laptops a few months apart from each other but im sure both are identicle except one has 2GB of RAM which i upgraded and the 2nd has the default 1GB.Both use the same drivers so thats not an issue.It's been running fine since i got it and nothing has changed as far as hardware or software.

@Andy-
I will give that a try and see if it helps.Still running Memtest at the moment up to Pass 3 test #4 now no errors.

Also i tryed installing the latest Bio's update as well but no change either.

 

Windows is picky as OS an can give you a BSOD if one of the components in your laptop is faulty.

I thought that maybe their was a sight difference between your two laptops. This would have explained why you're getting the BSOD when you test this laptop with the harddvire from the other one.

But my theory should be rouled out since you're sure that both laptops are identical.

Before you asked if you GPU is faulty? Does your laptop(s) have a descrete GPU?

Test Ubuntu live CD that could help narrowing the problem down.

 

Andy he is saying that he can't boot even when he tries his laptop with the HDD from the second one. So this should eliminate the possibility of a faulty driver or a faulty Windows.

 

Hey guys,
Thanks for all the imput i wanted to clear up something though.Im not using the hard drive from my second system i am using two seperate hard drives other then the one in my second laptop testing on the problem laptop.At first i thought i HDD was going bad so i put in a new replacement 100GB drive and installed XP MCE from the factory restore discs for the laptop.

So Driver issues are rulled out as this is the factory setup for the laptop im using it on.As for the GPU it has a PCI-E Geforce go 6600 card.The only reason i brought up the GPU being faulty is when i was googling my problem i read it could be related to GPU,CPU or Mobo going bad or faulty.

I will give Ubuntu a try once the memtest runs a bit longer to rule out memory issues.

 

w29n51.sys

You can give Ubuntu a try first, if unsuccesful, remove the wireless module and boot.

And have you tried Safe Mode ?

 

I tryed booting into safe mode when the problem first began but the system would lockup before getting to windows the same as when logging in normally.

If im not mistaken cant i disable the Wireless card in Bio's?I would like to be certain thats the issue before haveing to completely dissassemble the laptop again to remove the card.

 

Lockup ?? As in what sense ?

 

It will lockup as in when booting up before it gets to the Bio's screen,or on occasion when it gets to the windows loading screen or in windows itself it will freeze,Cooling fan will go into high speed and will not respond to anything other then shut down by holding down the power button

 

bhxtyrant, try remove one of the RAM and see what happens.

Andy, you can get the PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA message when there is a faulty RAM too. This is a very common error message for faulty RAM.

 

Hello Stewie,
I already tryed removing one stick of RAM then alternating but this did not help the system lockup issue.

Also finally got logged to windows and was able to get the dmp file.Here is a link to it.

http://www.filefactory.com/file/d075c2/n/Mini020608-01_dmp

 

Do you have any other memory to try? Cause if both sticks are damaged, then removing either of the RAM will give you the same problem. The chances are low for both sticks to fail at the same time, but it's possible.

Also, try to uninstall the Intel wireless driver. Even if it's factory setup, driver can be corrupted. w29n51.sys is related to your Intel wireless card.

EDIT: hmmm just read you can't boot into safe mode, then maybe it's not the wireless driver, I still think it might be the RAM.

 

Yeah, I also believed that the BSOD is due to the faulty RAM, but the sys files indicated towards the Wireless Module, so either the module is faulty or the driver in XP MCE is causing some conflict.

Removing the module, should cause the driver not to load.
And the wireless module, should be accessible by removing the rear thermal module cover. It should be easily accessible. (It is worth a try ?)

 

I just did a few tests with the RAM by using 1 stick at a time but results are very random.First attempt frooze before windows loaded,second attempt with 2nd stick got me into windows but then it locked up while startup items were loading.Next few attempts with switching between both sticks got me past windows loading screen but would not load to login screen or took very long to do so.

@stewie,
At the moment i dont have any spare laptop memory so im thinking of grabing another 2GB dual kit like i have in the other laptop.

For the wireless card on my laptop it is located directly under the touchpad so only way to remove is by removing the whole screen and keyboard assembly.I did however try uninstalling it while i was in windows from device manager.Didnt seem to make any difference but so far i havent gotten any more BSoD's they also seem to be random like the lockup issue.

As for the driver i still dont think it could be it as my 2nd laptop uses the same wireless card and driver so unless the card is dieing i cant think of anything else.I even tryed uninstalling and reinstalling the drivers from Toshiba's site.

 

Have you tried a repair install ?

 

Yep i have and clean install and backup image i made a while back before the issue.All same results.

 

I guess then its either the RAM, or the Wifi.

 

you actully have all the necessary to test the faulty laptop.

Remove the part one by one from the faulty laptop and test them one at the time in the working one.

Start with the easy bits such as the RAM, wireless, and optical drive. If all those are fine then do the same for you GPU. If it's fine too than it is likely that your problem is comming from your mobo.

Test first the HDD from your working laptop in the when you're trying to fix.

 

Also wanted to mention this for possible imput.I notice sometimes when i boot and i can get to windows that the activity indicator light on the front of the laptop will flash more fast paced when loading.This is normally how it has always been.Lately when i have the issues though i notice it goes at a much slower pace and also much more time passes before flashes like information is taking longer.Not sure if that is relivant.

@Naton-
Thats very true and i have been thinking on that but i been thinking twice about it as the one still working is my main system with lots of work on it.So i did not wanna risk damage to it or any of its components.I may give the RAM a shot though as i already know the HDD's are not the problem.So can only be RAM,Wifi,Processor,Mobo,or GPU

 

This would lean towards a faulty wireless module as suggested by Andy.

I understand your concerns regarding opening your working laptop.

As I said it's more than hard to kill a CPU. I have seen an Acer Laptop that was droped or someone had stepped on it (smashed screen and cracked and torn case) and the CPU was fine. I've also seen a gateway laptop that has been dropped in water while ON and the CPU was fine too.

 

Hmm i think then i will dissassemble the laptop again and try removing the Wifi card then see if the problem persists.Next i will try some new RAM and go from there.I wont have time to do this again for a few days probally due to work so i will report back once i do.Thanks for all your help and suggestions

Im also starting to wonder if it's a combination of problems now.I been trsting by alternating the 2 sticks of RAM stick by stick slot by slot right now i just put in the 2nd stick of RAM in slot 2 and the system seems to be running good so far.Just restarted twice with no lockups or anything.Wondering now if it could be a faulty RAM slot on the Mobo and faulty stick of RAM together.

Also not sure if you misunderstood or perhaps i did but i mean the processor/Hard drive activity light.

 

Try swapping the HDDs with your other system.
(HDD model ?)

 

My main system originally had a Toshiba 100GB 5400RPM which i upgraded to a Seagate 250GB 5400RPM,Second laptop also had a Toshiba 100GB 5400RPM which i just replaced when the issue started with a Seagate 100GB 5400RPM.Tryed swapping drives in the problem laptop with the other two 100GB Toshiba drives.But still was no change.all 3 of those drives are fully functional.I used them in external enclosures for storage and dual boot testing on occasion.

 

Hey again guys,Just got in from a long night at work last night i left the laptop on and to my ammazment with the Wifi card disabled via Device manager and 1 stick of ram in the 2nd slot it hasnt locked up yet.Now i have an issue though.When i had the same stick of RAM in slot 1 the system still locked up.So now im confused on if it really was RAM or what.

 

is your laptop overclocked in any form?

Well technicaly turning off the wireless is different from removing the module from your laptop. When turned off via the bios or a button I think Windows will still detects and load the drivers for it.

With the wifi disable from the bios would you see the wifi in the device manager?

btxtyrant, you have to remove the wireless module from the laptop completely to test the ram.

How do you access the ram by the way in your laptop? if you do by removing a cover beneath the laptop, and you don't want to open up your laptop to remoe the wifi, then you should test with the ram from you other laptop.
If with the ram from your other laptop the symthops persist than your ram is not at fault; other words it's either the wifi, the GPU or your Mobo.

Did you test Ubuntu live CD as I suggested?

 

Instead of physically removing the device, you can also "uninstall" it from Device Manager first, then disable it, this way it's for sure the driver won't be loaded.

 

thanks for this tip. Would it work if the wireless is disabled via switch (i.e. Fn + F2 in my case).

 

I think that depends on the laptop, I've used some that would totally disable it with Fn+Fx, but I've also seen some that the setting would not stick as soon as you reboot. Normally, there should be another physical switch where you can toggle on and off for the WiFi though. But even with the toggle switch set to off, the driver is still loaded with my laptop. If you really want a device's driver not to be loaded, the best is uninstall it from the Device Manager first, then disable it.

 

Hey guys,Alright where to begin today.Last night i had the system running fine with 1 stick of RAM in slot 2 and Wifi uninstalled via Device Manager.It stayed on without any lockups all night while i was at work and half of today.Suddenly without warning it began locking up again just moments ago everytime i rebooted i would only get a blank screen and could not get to Bio's or windows.Im starting to think alot more now it must be the GPU or motherboard as i dont think bad RAM or even Wifi would prevent the system from getting even to the Bio's Screen.Just now i finally got past Bio's but now its stuck on the screen where it loads the login box saying "windows is starting up"

As for Ubuntu no since the system started acting up again i havent gotten to try it yet.Last night i did however try a live image of "slax linux" i made a while back which seemed to run fine.One thing i notice about this issue is if i leave the laptop off for say a few hours it will usually boot without to much trouble but after it's been on for a few hours the problem gets worse and i cant even get to Bio's.This would lead me to think overheating is the problem however i tested the fan,cleaned everything and applied new thermal paste to the heat sinks when i took it apart the other day.I just dont get it

 

bad RAM or ANY MALFUNCTIONING HARDWARE can prevent a system from getting to the BIOS SCREEN.. and while that is not normally the case, i have seen it happen with bad HDDs, MODEMs, SOUND CARDS, and others...

but from the ramdomness of your troubles, you most likely have RAM that is on the virge of dying, or you have an intermittent motherboard problem..

to really diagnose your problem, you need to remove all possible hardware that you can (CD/DVD, WIFI, EXTRA RAM, MODEM, or anything you can remove easily). then test the machine when stripped of hardware, if you still have the issue you KNOW FOR SURE that it has to be RAM or motherboard.

 

Im pretty sure that it's your wifi. I have seen a similar problem on a Dell D510 which was slow, and where I could't get into the BIOS screen. Removing the wifi sorted out all the problems.

I said Ubuntu but I meand any Linux distro Live CD.
Correct me if wrong, Linux is working fine because it is not detecting your wifi nor installing drivers for it.

Can't be sure.

When the GPU go wrong, usually the laptop will work fine. It won't freeze and you can use both memory slot. You would hear the OS booting and loading by hearing the sound that windows does when it shows the welcome screen.
The only problem with a bad GPU is a black screen and black external screen.

You have to open your laptop and remove the wifi. If you still have problems after removing the wifi, then you should borrow the necessary parts one by one untill ou find the one causing the problem.

Mate you're lucky to have two identical laptops, so testing to identify the faulty part(s) should be a piece of cake.

 

Thanks again for all your replies and help with my problem.Im gonna go ahead and try some tests as suggested physically removing the wifi card,ect and see how that results.I will report back any changes

 

yes keep us posted.

 

Hey guys,
Just wanted to post an update,I ended up removing the Wifi card and intalled a new 1GB Dual Channel kit of RAM so far the system seems to be working once again I plan to get a new Wifi card if everything goes well.So once again i waned to say thanks alot to all those who replied and helped me out.

 

What about the old RAM ??
Does it still work ??

 

same questions

 

Sorry for the late reply guys,No the old RAM does not seem to work.Looks like it was a conbination of both RAM and Wifi causing the issue.When i attempted just to test the Wifi with new RAM i once again got the locking up issue.

 

Send it back to Toshiba and pray for salvation.

 

stange that both of them failed at about the same time.

 

New wifi and RAM modules will be available on ebay, newegg, etc....

 

he has already replaced his ram