VAIO SZ645 hangs inexplicably

Hi, all-

I've got a fairly new (6 months old) VAIO SZ645 that's run great for a few months and has recently started hanging periodically (every 15-30 minutes). It just grinds to a halt for about 15-30 seconds, and 90% of the time I can still move the mouse pointer and input characters via the keyboard that are buffered and output once the hang has stopped.

I'm an IT exec, so I figured I'd be able to lick this no problem. I blamed it originally on my recent installation of Firefox 3, but the footprint never goes high enough to be the cause; also, the hangs still occur when Firefox isn't running anymore. I've weeded through all of my processes, monitored performance, and cleaned the vent system. No changes. I cannot sort it out.

The only thing I can think of now is that the system is overheating and needs fresh thermal paste, but I never notice any real changes in core temps and the fan is on the same consistent speed (from what I can tell aurally) that it's always run in moderate use since I got it when it wasn't hanging.

I'm baffled. What're the standard core temps supposed to be? Am I looking in the wrong directions? If anyone can give me a hint, I'd be eternally grateful at this point.

Thanks.

 

What you suggest is possible but would only make sense if the notebook had real world use prior to when you acquired it.

Probably need some more info to be honest; It could be any number of things.
- What was the state when you got it? Was it a new/clearance/cto model that was returned and re-sold/refurbished?
- What OS?
- Standard Sony install or have you done a fresh install?
- Reported temp of the CPU?
- Reported temp of the GPU? (if running under Speed)
- Reported temp of hard drive?

If you're running under Speed Mode check out the 8400M link in my signature. A lot of users have reported temperatures while running under the Nvidia chipset.

One thing you could try is running Ubuntu (off the CD) and seeing if the system still freezes up. It might be a quick way to identify a software related problem.

 

Thanks for the speedy reply. I'll answer to the best of my ability:

- What was the state when you got it? Was it a new/clearance/cto model that was returned and re-sold/refurbished?

New

- What OS?

XP Pro
- Standard Sony install or have you done a fresh install?

Factory Sony install

- Reported temp of the CPU?

Not sure which is which here; I have a "Temp1" at ~54-56C and a "Temp2" at 58C. There are also three "Core" readings but I assume them to be ambient. They both read at 58-60. The third (I assume this to be closer to the GPU) reads 66.

- Reported temp of the GPU? (if running under Speed)

66-67C

- Reported temp of hard drive?

36C.