Laptop freezes (with keyboard & mouse) ???

Question

Would anyone have any idea as why my laptop gets frozen after using it for only 5 minutes or so. I can't use the keyboard & the mouse pointer gets frozen & the only way to get over it is by turning the power off.

Couple of days back, I couldn't EVEN turn the power on but someone I manage to do after a while & at least managed to use the Safe Mode with Networking & transferred all my files using the wireless Network onto my PC (& hence backed-up all my data). Afterwards, the power was turning on but the screen used to get frozen at a point where Windows XP banner first comes up (when it's loading & has the status bar underneat it).

Now the power seems to be turning on & am being able to get to the desktop but within 5 min. or so using it, keyboard & mouse gives up.

I've recently had hard disk changed, so hightly doubted if it's anything to do with it. How about the CPU fan or RAM chip fault, or something else ??? Any idea.

I'm using Windows XP Pro. SP2 & has 256 MB of RAM.

Even if I just use the Internet, it freezes. So, it's NOT only when I use more programs or so (or else, it could've been the RAM's fault).

Answer 1

probably a really stupid question but have you tried updating your anti virus and run a spyware? ie; spybot & adaware, (both free) we had the same problem and i took it to pc world who told me thats all it was.
hope that helps and good luck!

Answer 2

Ever been on a long flight, ready to hunker down and get some work done, only to discover that your laptop's battery is plunging toward the red zone an hour after takeoff? So have we. That's why we've gathered these simple tips that will preserve your laptop's juice and boost your productivity. Read them now. You'll thank yourself later. 1. Sleep Is Good Use the operating system's power-management features (in Windows XP, under Power Options in the Control Panel; or in Vista, under Mobile PC in the Control Panel) to set aggressive targets for when the display will go dark (say, after five minutes of inactivity) and when the machine will slip into sleep mode (no longer than ten minutes of inactivity). And if you can spare the extra time it takes for the machine to resume, set the PC to hibernate, not just sleep, when you close the lid. 2. Banish Non-Essential Components When you aren't actively using the Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and IR radios, turn them off (via the hard switch, if your PC has it, or in the appropriate utility set), so they don't trickle you dry trying to connect. Also, use USB-attached devices only when absolutely necessary. They aren't getting their power from positive ions in the air, you know. 3. Watch Scheduled Tasks Be sure that your periodic virus scan is set to a time when you're usually plugged in; running a full-disk virus check keeps the hard drive and CPU fully engaged for the better part of an hour. 4. Don't Be Performance Hungry Unless you're running high-order mathematical calculations on that long plane ride, chances are you don't need all the processing power your CPU is capable of giving. So in Vista, select the "Power saver" power plan (found in the Control Panel, in the Power Options section) to extend battery life when on DC power, and leave the 3D gaming for when you're near an AC outlet. 5. Dim the Lights Turn down the brightness of the LCD panel (via the Function-key combo, or in the Control Panel's Display Settings dialog) to the lowest level you can tolerate. The backlight sucks power like the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree. 6. Lay Off the Multimedia A little in-flight music is nice while you construct that PowerPoint presentation, but streaming music from your hard drive (or playing a CD) means the disk (or disc) is always spinning. 7. Get More Juice Let everyone else fight over that free AC outlet. Designed to sit underneath your laptop, the APC Universal laptop Battery 70 can provide up to six hours of endurance using its lithium polymer technology. It comes with a variety of laptop tips and features selectable output voltages. The unit adds 1.8 pounds to your carry-on, but it's better than having your laptop run out of gas midflight.

Answer 3

There are programs that you can run to check the RAM. If you suspect it's the problem then I suggest you do it. http://www.memtest86.com/

Since safemode works it's probably some program thats running. Programs have been known to cause problems. Safe mode disables many things which makes it "Safe." You might want to reinstall windows. Often this is the easiest way to fix things. Other thing you can do is go to start>run type msconfig and push enter. Then disable everything that isn't created by microsoft and see if that helps.

Answer 4

You should seriously consider acquiring a proper computer. Visit the Apple Store.

Good luck with your windows issue, I have one at work and also suffer from random issues and inexplicable waiting time and freezes.

Life's not perfect.

You could also wait for the next revision of Windows XP...not earlier than 2008 though (that's not a joke)

Answer 5

when u replace a hard disc or ram, etc. ... sometimes the configurations don't match with those of the comp.'s.. So that might be the prob. but before u do anything... try running ur recovery disc first. If the prob still persists, then u will need to contact a technician. good luck.

Answer 6

hit ctrl+alt+del to monitor Windows Task Manager.

If any extra unknown exe running, then reinstalling Windows XP. Or if CPU surges 100% from defect/spy program, then you know to response correspondingly.

Otherwise, reinstalling drivers and test before checking on hardware defect.

Answer 7

If your computer is not working properly when it is switched on, it could be a problem with device drivers, hardware or software.
Detailed instructions at http://tinyurl.com/yd34oj