What's wrong with my laptop?

Okay over the last few days whenever I would start my laptop(which is about 2 years old) it would take around 10 minutes to be able to go on the internet or start another program.. So today I turn it on and think its doing the same thing, except it completely froze, so I turned it off. I turn it on again and everything seems to be going fine until it gets to the point of trying to start windows where it then restarts itself and gives me a screen saying that windows failed to start.

I tryed inserting the restart cd, it runs but then goes to a black screen where the computer stays until I turn it off again..

 

When you say that it takes 10 minutes to get on the internet, can you be more specific?

Is the machine locking up entirely? Does the mouse cursor work?

Does your web browser load just fine, except it just takes 10 minutes for the network connection to kick in and start downloading data from web pages? Or does the browser not load altogether?

From the description of your other symptoms, it sounds like your hard drive is dying. I would recommend that you back up all of your important data from that hard drive ASAP. If that hard drive does die, it will take all of your data with it that you haven't backed up or copied somewhere else.

 

I would run a virus scan first. Viral infections tend to execute and completely lock up your processor, thus freezing up your system.

Your laptop could also be overheating but usually your system will turn off, but I have seen cases where it will freeze Windows.

As kent mentioned above your hard drive could be failing. But the first symptoms is Windows boots very very slowly.

 

No, the browser worked fine once it started, it just took 10 minutes to actually start after first turning on the computer.

When it froze this morning the cursor still worked but nothing else did, and I let it sit in the frozen state for about 10 minute before deciding to turn it off.. Now it will not load into windows what-so-ever, it tries to then reboots and says something along the lines of "windows failed to start due to hardware or software blah blah" lol

I tried the restore CD but all it does after saying "windows is loading information from the disc" is go to a black screen and do nothing at all..

 

Which browser? IE?

You could have a bad OS, try reinstalling it. Also could be a failing hard drive/bad motherboard SATA controller.

 

and if it is the harddrive and I'm screwed could you guys recommend a good laptop for online gaming? I'm planning on getting The Old Republic when it comes out next year and I want something that will allow me to play it..

This laptop was an ASUS and I have to say I've had quite a few issues with it since I bought it..

 

Well it wasn't just the browser it was all programs after start up, I couldn't use paint, word, etc..

 

I wouldn't throw away a perfectly good laptop just because of a hard drive but you may have more underlying issues. Go to your local electronics store with a decent return policy and see if you can reinstall Windows on the new hard drive. If you can then you have a good laptop minus about 50-70 bucks for the hard drive. If not, then just return the hard drive.

Course if wish to give your laptop away, I'd take it lol

 

I agree. No point in buying a completely new laptop, just because the hard drive died. It's not like you bought an Apple . You can get around the problem of a dead hard drive by simply buying a new drive. Prices go anywhere from $50 - $300, depending on the capacity and speed that you want.

If simply replacing the hard drive is not an option you wish to pursue, and you want to buy a new laptop for other reasons, that is a different story. What are your requirements for size/portability, and price?

I get the sense that you want a solid, powerful, reliable laptop that you can just buy and not have to worry about. I'd recommend you start your search with the look into the Alienware M15x and the HP Envy Beats 14" laptops. From there, you can decide whether you want to go smaller/lighter, less expensive, or whether you want to go bigger/more powerful. The Alienware M15x is a bit bigger and more expensive than the HP Envy Beats 14", but gives you considerably more gaming power.

But let me know what you think of those two laptops, just to start. Based on what you like / dislike about those, I can make some better recommendations that might fit what you want.

 

Woah...slow down...I think we need to get some diagnostics going first...

1) Try safe mode..if it works fine, your issue is software/viral (unlikely)

2) Most PCs today come with built-in bootable diagnostics, check your splash screen after you turn on your PC...does it have a diagnostic option? (usually F9 on HPs)

3) Hiren's boot CD has TONS of hardware diagnostics on it..burn a copy and boot to it..then test your HDD.. (I believe your HDD is indeed dead)

 

Alright guys, I possibly overreacted, I've gotten the computer restored and everything seems to being running smooth now(currently reinstalling all the drivers)

Sorry for wasting your guys time, but thank you very much for the assistance!

If I could however ask one more question.. The laptop has had a cracked screen for the past few months and I found a replacement on ebay for roughly $120.. I was wondering if that seemed like a good idea or...? I'm pretty good with electronics and stuff(I've actually already taken the screen off to look at the part numbers and put it back on with no issues) so I'm not worried about doing it myself.

 

I really wouldn't recommend buying off Ebay. Usually only offer 30 day warranties, DOA parts galore and shipping hassles/nightmares.

I would recommend blisscompters.net very professional company, used by me and a couple coworkers. You must know your laptop model or P/N for the screen.

 

why go through all this hassle, when you could have just popped in a linux live cd, if everything checks out, then you know it's windows and not hardware related

 

even if its the hard drive its better than a mobo fault, HDD's are cheap these days and easy to replace, only problem with HDD failure is the loss of data.

Just went over your post, I'm glad it isn't hardware related, happy surfing