Random reboots?

My Zepto Znote 4200 (compal CL56), is randomly rebooting from time to time, making it useless.

I have located the problem to something in the right side of the computer. That is, if I for example rest my hand on the right side (right of the touchpad), the computer reboots. The it starts up with "Press F2 to enter setup", and then black screen and nothing happens. If I cut the power for a while and boot again, the computer might boot fine.

I have currently torn the computer apart to look for anything unusual, but I can't seem to find anything.

Does anyone have a clue about what the problem might be?


Thanks!

 

I start check thing like ram does just reboot or does flash blue screen before that?

any files C:\windows\minidump?

xp ?

 

It's instant reboot, like a loose wire to the powersupply or something.
Sometimes the screen turn white for a splitsecond before reboot.

I dual boot linux and xp, and the problem is the same for both of them. There are no dumpfiles, and no bsod before the crash.

 

Would your hdd happen to be to the right of the touchpad? It might have come loose during travel. Try reseating it.

Also try taking out the BIOS battery (if it has one) and leaving it away for a couple minutes. Something might have gotten confused.

If neither works I would suspect mobo breakdown/power cable problem (some inside the laptop). Tho the power supply shouldnt have anything to do with the bottom right side of the laptop

 

Yes, the HDD is located in the right side.
I will see if I can lend an HDD from a friend.

I seem to have located a spot on the motherboard where I can provoke constant rebooting, but unfortunately I cannot stop this endless reboot-loop.

 

How do this place look like? Can you take a picture to help us finding a reason.

 

I have taken the computer completely apart, and my previous statement seems to be wrong. I cannot locate an exact spot.

I cannot say anything specific about the problem, exept that the rebooting only occurs when I touch the computer. Tilting the computer made it reboot 4-5 times before halting.

I have removed the bios battery, but the problem still persists.

My initial description is kinda misleading. I can hardly get past the "press f2 for setup" bios screen before the computer reboots to black screen.

 

Can you see any cracks/fryed components or other damage on the mobo?

 

Nothing apparent. I have removed components such as wi-fi, lan, hdd, dvd, gfx card and ram, but none of the removals have resulted in a clean boot (without the problem).

 

Would your computer happen to have 2 RAM DIMMs?

Try taking one of them out, if you still have a problem, the put it back in and remove the other one.

 

I tried moving the RAM around as you proposed. Didn't help.

 

Then Im afraid there are not many more things to do. Remove the CPU and look for damage. If its intact then your mobo is broken

 

Yeah, was afraid of that.
I hoped someone in here could verify that the mobo was broken, or perhaps had a solution.
Thanks for answering.

 

Just out of curiosity how old was the laptop?


And sorry for your loss, hope it was a loyal friend

 

A little over 4 years. Very loyal

 

Well that kinda explains it. 4 years on the move and being a laptop overall is quite good

 

I agree. But I have treated it well, and there are no visible damage inside or outside, so it's pretty strange that the mobo fails. Perhaps it is made to last 4 years, and then the components and wiring becomes faulty from oxidization.
Anyways, I have desided to get a new one. Any recommendations?

 

I suggest posting in "what notebook shal I buy" forum. If your happy with Zepto I suggest going for a new zepto. They have a real good hardware for the money