Log files and applications

[Mustang]

I am currently having a variety of problems with my laptop the most problematic of which is the fact that it occaisionally just spontaneously shuts down!!

I am interested in seeing if there are any applications out there that would monitor what is going on so I can take corrective action. As a minimum I would want log files to be available to aid resolution.

I originally thought it was to do with available RAM or hard disk space but now I am not so sure. I am running Windows XP.

TIA

[SimonMac]

First place to look would be eventviewer

[Spacecadet]

Two possible culprits are over heating and power
If the laptop feels excessively hot then give it a clean out - this was the insides of mine a couple of years ago


That big clump of filth lying on the case was also stuck to the heat exchange fins!

[doodab]

WSCS.

There are various bits of software that will show you the current CPU temps (and readouts from other sensors as well) and log them to a file.

SpeedFan - Access temperature sensor in your computer is one that I use on my desktop machines.

Core Temp just does CPU temps.

There is also the intel thermal analysis tool which does a similar sort of thing.