Computer dies mid-use!

[DaveB]

Whirring noises and sudden blue screens say over heating to me. As has been said, clean out the fan area. If you can crack the case open without too much hassle give it a good clean out inside as well.

[Platypus]

Whirring noises and sudden blue screens say over heating to me.

Agree, try a trial download of this to monitor temperatures:
http://www.lavalys.com/products.php?...lang=en&page=1

[Mustang]

ciritcal?

500k? I presume you mean 500MB? As above, if you're looking at adding RAM in those sort of quantities, it's time to buy a new laptop.

1) I meant Critical - the memory people.

2) I do mean 500MB

[Mustang]

How old's the laptop? If you are adding RAM in 500K increments it indicates that it's time to go and buy an new laptop.

Do you have recovery discs?

The laptop is nearly 5 years old. It is a Sony VAIO.

Recovery discs are on the other partition.

[Mustang]

If it's happening when you're connected to the mains then all this is irrelevant, of course

Sadly all happening under mains power.........!

[Platypus]

1) I meant Critical - the memory people.

2) I do mean 500MB

You probably mean Crucial. I'm sure you could Google and find the other memory slot. Try looking for a service manual for the machine.

[Platypus]

Sadly all happening under mains power.........!

I'll bet my ass it's overheating... try the download link I posted earlier to confirm.

[Mustang]

You probably mean Crucial.

Oops..........exactly what I meant!

I'm sure you could Google and find the other memory slot.

In searching for how to get to the fan, came across a good article which revealed the other RAM slot under the keyboard. Now put second memory card in so now running on 2GB rather than the original 1GB.

Try looking for a service manual for the machine.

I will google for this. Currently fond a couple of interesting articles anyway on servicing a VAIO.

Many thanks for your input.

[Mustang]

Whirring noises and sudden blue screens say over heating to me. As has been said, clean out the fan area. If you can crack the case open without too much hassle give it a good clean out inside as well.

I have taken the laptop apart and there is certainly a whole ton of muck in there. I will get some compressed air tomorrow and give it a good old clean.

Thanks for your feedback.

[Mustang]

Agree, try a trial download of this to monitor temperatures:
http://www.lavalys.com/products.php?...lang=en&page=1

I have downloaded it and it looks an impressive utility. Now all I have to do is work out how to use it and understand what it's telling me!!

Thanks anyway for pointing me in the right direction.