[cgheilman]

Hi all,

I have a HP Pavillion dv4 (Core 2 Duo 2.1Ghz, 4GB RAM, 320GB HDD, Vista Home Prem. SP1) that's having an odd problem. When I start up normally, after I get to the desktop (approx. 1 minute after starting up) the computer automatically reboots. I've tried multiple times and the same result happens. I also made sure "Automatically restart" under "System Failure" is unchecked. I don't get any sort of error message.

Now, if I start up into safe mode, it works fine. I haven't had a problem with it and it hasn't shut off. It's been up for a few hours now. There isn't a lot of extra software installed on this laptop because it's relatively new. It has Norton Internet Security and Microsoft Office.

Does anyone have an idea how to remedy this problem?

Thanks guys!

Christian

[joeten]

Hi I suggest you look in the eventviewer for some info in the logs to try to track down the issue,as a suggestion you could try updating your drivers,you may need to look at norton as a possible cause but for now the event logs are a good place to start

[cgheilman]

I checked my drivers and they were all updated. It appears that it still restarts, but sometimes the screen will literally freeze and look distorted for awhile... the HP driver program says the video card driver is updated... does this mean that it's a video card problem?

When I look at the event viewer, there are a handful of events that look out of place. Could someone take a look at them and tell me if they're anything to worry about? I zipped the event log, so if you can download it and take a look at it I'd REALLY appreciate it!

This is a virtually new laptop that is just out of warranty. I don't want it to become an expensive paperweight!

[Duckman69]

you dont get a blue screen right, so it just cuts off power instantly? im just trying to clarify i think we have similar, but not the same issues...

[cgheilman]

Right. I don't get a blue screen. It doesn't matter whether the laptop is plugged in or not, it just restarts automatically.

[cgheilman]

I don't think we're having the same problem. My whole system reboots and I can't do anything. You're simply having issues with the individual programs.

[Duckman69]

ahh but alas i think we may have the same issue... when this happens it doesnt restart does it ? its just off completly & then you have to turn it back on ? i have noticed with mine too if i go to turn the laptop on too quickly after this happens it will try light up light its gonna start up the computer but shuts back down, im convinced its an internal power supply issue, i just have yet to prove it

its really annoying too it happens to me sometimes 1-2 times every 1-4 days & i often loose important work...

[Rollin' Rog]

The event log was unreadable, the extension was wrong, and the log unlabeled if it was a "system" log -- even renaming it with the proper extension (.evt) produced a "corrupt" message -- which may be a clue there.

Has chkdsk been run on the drive? Are you seeing NTFS errors in the system log?

When did the problem begin, and did you ever try a "system restore" to a prior date?

Has the ram been tested? Run mdsched.exe and after rebooting to the scanner, press F1 for Advanced Options and run the Extended test.

If you open the Control Panel > Performance Information and Tools > Advanced > Reliability Monitor -- do you see any specific error messages or problems flagged there? You can expand the sections for details. You may also determine when the problem began and what changes might have preceded it.


----------------------------------------------------

Can you test in a "Clean Boot" >>

First, restart in Safe Mode if necessary -- (tap the f8 key promptly on startup and choose the Safe Mode option from the boot menu) or Normal mode

Then:

Run msconfig and select the "Services" tab. Check "Hide Microsoft Services" and then disable the rest. Also uncheck "load startup items" on the general page.


Now restart and test the issue at hand

If no problems, run msconfig and recheck half the disabled items on the Services tab. Test again. If the problem recurs, UNcheck half the items you just checked to narrow down the culprit.

If the problem didn't occur, check the other half, so all the Services are enabled -- proceed to do this on the startup tab as well.

Get the idea? You want to isolate the problem to a specific startup if possible.

Note: if you already have items unchecked under msconfig > startups and are in “selective” startup mode – you should note what these are before beginning. They will need to be de-selected again.


http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135/en-us >> writen for Vista but applies just as well to XP

[joeten]

Hi RR I had a brief look in the eventviewer that was uploaded there seems to be a thousand + events in wmp,also the browser and a tcpip problem with it,and with a eventlog filter which may be why the whole thing seems odd

[Rollin' Rog]

How did you open it?

Nevermind -- I guess it opens on Vista, but I've done these before on XP and opened them.

I am only seeing 7 events in his "problems" log, all involving "dcom" and the service "WSearch" event id 1084; I don't think this is what his problem is.

Make sure you are looking at "miles pc"

[joeten]

Hi I bow to your wisdom Rog you have the experience

[cgheilman]

Thanks for your help guys. It appears that the laptop is still under warranty for a couple more months so I'm going to just take it in for service - it doesn't pay to play with it myself!