Problem with updates and laptop crashing.

[in the sticks]

Hi everyone.

I have a Sony vaio 32 bit laptop. I have been having issues with crashing for a couple of weeks. I have 4 adapters that need upgrading showing yellow exclamation marks but I can`t update anything.

2 different scans showed no viruses.

When I try to use windows update I get error code - 80070643. It won`t update anything at all even though there are 15 updates I need apparently.

I can use the laptop in safe mode with networking but if I start windows normally it will run for a while and then crash.

I have no idea where to start with uninstalling the devices and installing new ones from the web and i`m really nervous about doing it in-case I can`t download the new ones. (I can`t download anything in safe mode anyway)

When I try to install upgrade by clicking on each network adapter separately I get the message that I have the most up to date version but each one has already shown me the message that this device is not working properly because windows cannot load the drivers required for this device (code 31, whatever that is).

Any help and advice is very welcome. (As you can probably tell from my non-tech language I need things explaining simply, thanks in advance.)

[KenB]

Hi,

 

You could try System Restore to a date just prior to the start of your problem.

Start > type in .....system restore.....ENTER

Select a date from the list. You may need to view dates older than 5 days.

 

Data / files etc will be fine.

 

Do you have "Office Source Engine" listed in Services?

Start > type in ......Services.......ENTER

Scroll down - it is alphabetical.

If so - is it set to "Automatic" ?

 

If this doesn't do it take a look here:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/958052/en-us

 

If you are unsure - just ask.

Edited June 20, 2011 by KenB

[in the sticks]

I think it`s all sorted, thank you for the link. I downloaded their `fix it` system and it detected all the drivers I needed and replaced everything for me. I hope that`s the end of the crashes. Thanks for your help.

[KenB]

You are welcome.

 

Good Luck.

[in the sticks]

Oh dear, still getting crashes even though everything is now updated. When it crashes I get this strange broken green line effect on the screen. I ran CHKDSK last night and ran a program called EVEREST yesterday but I have no idea what to do with the info on the report.

Now running in safemode again.

My laptop does get very hot sometimes, could it just be overheating?

[Jelly Bean]

Hey there....

 

Download and install this and then post us some temprature readings:

 

http://www.almico.com/speedfan.php

[in the sticks]

Hi there, sorry it took me ages to get this running, then just spent the last hour to get my laptop to restart, it`s really struggling.

GPU:0C

HDO:35C

TEMP1:76C

TEMP2:76C

CORE 0:73C

CORE 1:75C

 

Iv`e been watching them for a while to see how they change and at times they have touched 79/80 and dropped down again.

[in the sticks]

Just now some of these are getting up to 85/86C which sounds really hot to me.

[Jelly Bean]

I would say your a little hot there....

 

Laptops do run a little hotter than a computer due to smaller confined spaces....

 

Yours appears hotter than usal.......

 

Make sure vents are clean.

 

Do not place on legs,blanket,beds,furniture etc as this will make it run hotter.....

 

Does it crash more when you are using a lot of processes,such as games or downloading or playing music?

 

Try doing some of the above,play some music etc and see if it gets even hotter.

[in the sticks]

The vents are clean and it is always on a table running from the mains not the battery. It definitely seems to get hotter if I am playing games but I don`t do that a lot. Mainly browsing but the longer it is on the hotter it gets and the bottom of it is so hot sometimes I can hardly touch it.

I was watching the temps a while ago and the more tabs I opened the hotter it got. Is it a difficult task to open it and clean the fan? It`s 4 years old so I guess there will be some dust in there. It`s pretty cool at the mo but it has just been switched off for over an hour.

[KenB]

The easiest way is to buy a can of compressed air ( any pc shop )

Give it a blast through the vents.

As already stated - it is a confined space so you may not shift it all - but it is worth a try before you decide to take the thing apart ( not the easiest of tasks ).

[NaRu]

If I were you I would look into a cooling fan to see if that helps before opening the sucker up(which would probably, depending on the warranty, void it)

[in the sticks]

I gave it a blast with the air a few days ago and the temps seem to have gone down a lot. Running on average about 56C now and I keep the speedfan running so I can turn it off before it gets too hot.

2 problems now. I can still only start it in safe mode, it will automatically show bsod every time I switch it on. As it is starting up the first screen always has the green broken stripes on it.

Added to that I can`t find my dongle that has my photos on it and I have a buffalo portable hard drive but I don`t think I will be able to load stuff on it in safe mode will I?

[KenB]

Hi,

 

From the list that you select Safe Mode from .......select Enable Low Resolution Video.

Does it boot up with this?

 

portable hard drive but I don`t think I will be able to load stuff on it in safe mode will I?

Not in Safe Mode.

 

You may have access to USB with "Low Resolution Mode" if it will boot.

[in the sticks]

I can`t see that as an option.

Only safe mode/safe mode with networking (which is what I am using)/safe mode with command prompt/last known good configuration/start windows normally.

[in the sticks]

No it wont start with the Low Res video option.

[in the sticks]

I don`t know what to do next. Help :eek:

[KenB]

Hi,

 

Try last known good configuration from the same list as Safe Mode ( tap F8 )

 

If that fails boot up in Safe Mode

Start ........type in .......cmd ( do not press enter )

At the top of the screen cmd will be highlighted > right click on this > run as administrator

At the prompt type .......chkdsk /r ........ (note the space before /r )

 

This should check the hard disk for errors.

This is an outside chance as I do feel that your problem is hardware related .........but working on a laptop is not easy.

[in the sticks]

Thanks Ken for offering suggestions. I ran CHKDSK sometime last week, I think after googling for similar issues hundreds of times I came across it somewhere but it didn`t make any difference.

I ran a program called Everest also, are you familiar with that? It gives a huge amount of information in the report but it may as well be in Greek. It did say do I want to update the bios, well I don`t know :confused:, do I? It doesn`t say it needs to be updated so I have no idea.

 

When it is running in safe mode (with networking) the screen is fine, it will play clips, I can browse sites with no problem, you wouldn`t really know there is an issue. It wont let me get these pictures onto the usb which I really need to do.

[KenB]

......Everest also, are you familiar with that?

I am not sure that Everest will help with this one.

 

update the bios

I cannot see a reason for this. If we try this and it fails then you will not be able to access the system at all.

 

Try a "Startup Repair"

See here:

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial148.html

This is assuming that you have the installation disk and not recovery disks.

[in the sticks]

Hmm, I have no idea where the installation disk is.

[KenB]

When you use F8 to get to the Advanced Boot Options - is Startup Repair an option?

If it is - click on this.

You may have to select your user name and enter a password.

 

You may be prompted re. options and it may need restarts during the process.

 

If this is not an option you need to locate the disk.