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    Unexpected Power Offs

    Discussion in 'VAIO / Sony' started by brooklotzkar, Jun 26, 2008.

  1. brooklotzkar

    brooklotzkar Newbie

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    Hello, I need some help asap since I am going away tomorrow and won't have much time to fix this problem on my trip!

    I have had this Sony PCG-K33 laptop for quite a while now, and lately, it has became really slow. Whenever I touch the heatsink, it is also finger-burning hot. I have tried cleaning the dust out of the fans and reapplying new thermal paste to the processor (a P4 3.06GHz btw), but whenever I try to run UBCD4WIN and zero the HD or run intensive benchmarking tools, the laptop instantly turns off. Is there anything else I can do in order to save this laptop from its misery, and hopefully not have to dig its inevitable grave in my backyard?

    Also, I have tried creating two WinXP home disk (one with SP3 slipstream, and the other without), and I keep getting the same problem. Whenever, the window files load up initally and just before the setup screen appears, I get a BSOD saying "process1 initialization failed". However, if I use my original Windows XP Media Center 2005 disk from my main computer, it goes into the setup without a hitch. Anyone know what to do about this (I am using this guide btw: http://www.tacktech.com/display.cfm?ttid=415).

    Any help would be greatly appriciated!

    Thanks,
    Brook
     
    brooklotzkar, Jun 26, 2008
    #1
  2. brooklotzkar

    brooklotzkar Newbie

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    bumpadibump
     
    brooklotzkar, Jun 27, 2008
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  3. miki69

    miki69 Notebook Evangelist

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    About first issue: you obviously have heat issue. Sony has termal sensor switch to automatically shut down (hardware powercut) laptop whenever it reaches critical temperature. I remember having similar problem with my old FS-115z (running very hot (85-90 C) and I did vacum cleaning (I know it sounds crazy :)) of heat sink and all air vents (even USB ports). That did the job for a while, but still was running hot (60-65 C). You can install PC Wizard to monitor your temperature, to see how hot it really runs. Why don't you take it to repair centre? I know this is older model but they can fix it for sure.

    BR
    Miki
     
    miki69, Jun 27, 2008
    #3
  4. John Ratsey

    John Ratsey Moderately inquisitive Super Moderator

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    Did you try undervolting the CPU? It can drop the maximum temperature by up to about 10C. The guide is here.

    John
     
    John Ratsey, Jun 28, 2008
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  5. imagine

    imagine Notebook Consultant

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    Be aware that after you add fresh thermal paste, it will take about a month for the temps to be reduced, from my experience. Also, if you put too much thermal paste it will actually increase the temperature, so be careful of that as well.

    Because you cleaned out the dust, and the fans are working well, your problem is probably caused by the interaction between the heatsink and the processor.
     
    imagine, Jun 28, 2008
    #5