[Tfug] Laptop freezes and shuts down

[John Karns]

On Wed, Dec 9, 2009 at 8:10 PM, Linux Media <linuxmedia2 at aim.com> wrote:
> Hi,
>
> My laptop started freezing up (frozen mouse, frozen keys, no response
> whatsoever) and on occasions would just reboot (no shutdown proceedure, just
> suddenly blank screen and reboot).
>
> I once thought it was the wireless card because there were internet
> connection problems at the same time, but that went away. Then it seemed to
> correlate with plugging something in (or just moving) the PCMCIA sound card.
> Then it seems to correlate with hitting a key a bit hard. Maybe it is a
> hardware problem. The only time I ever had this kind of problem with any
> Linux System was when there was a faulty sound card.
>
> Some times when I reboot (have to hold on/off button until the laptop shuts
> off), it wont start back up. And it fails anywhere from prior to the BIOS
> screen, to sometimes in mid boot, and even at times at the log in screen and
> sometimes right after the desktop starts up.
>
> The following link shows the screen shots. I've only seen it fail at this
> point twice. Could anyone tell me if this gives them a clue what it going
> on?
>
> Link to screen shots:
> http://members.cox.net/ryannotti/

To state the obvious, it could be any number of causes.  First place
I'd look would be memory, then heat dissipation, then something
shorting from making contact when you start applying outside physical
force to the machine by touching keys, pcmcia cards, etc.  This last
category would also include possible cracks in the mobo, or even loose
(a) solder joint(s).

Depending on they implemented the heat dissipation system on that
machine, if the cause is overheating, it could be something as simple
as dust accumulation at an air intake or exhaust vent.  For example,
on the Dell Inspiron 8000 laptops I sometimes still use, there is a
heat exchanger (akin to a radiator) inside, just to the inside of the
dual fan.  Dust tends to accumulate there, and it isn't immediately
apparent by a casual look at the fan vent.  Cleaning it requires
removal of the keyboard to get at the exchanger.

If the machine has one or more fans, be sure that they are operating
normally.  Certain tools can help.  One I'd recommend is gkrellm, with
various plugins installed - particularly modules dealing with system
temperatures.

-- 
John