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Resolved Question

H.P. dv7 problems. Laptop Shutting down unexpectedly

Jan 24, 2012 12:39PM PST

When using my laptop for watching movies or playing certain games, my laptop will seem like it is overheating and the cooling fan will sound like its going to rev so high that it will fly apart. Then the fun starts.... Red xxx's appear and the thing shuts down. I originally thought it was in need of a cleaning, but after disassembled was clean. I re-installed my vista to factory, same issue, then while installing updates the same thing at 90% done. This is creating a real pain in my side. I have a feeling it may be in the graphics card, due to the issue of this happening during watching movies and games. I have had this computer for three + years, bought it new and never expected any problems because I don't really use it for anything other than entertainment. Does anyone have any suggestions or has anyone had this same thing happen? I really hate to trash my 1,200 dollar machine over something like this. This seems to happen when the computer is under stress from graphics. Any comments or suggestions would be much appreciated!

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sggraham65 has chosen the best answer to their question. View answer

Best Answer

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Tell us about your 6 month RITUAL?
Jan 25, 2012 4:07AM PST

Here I use canned air. How do you do the usual maintenance?

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The same
Jan 25, 2012 10:41AM PST

It isn't cleaning problems, the computer has been well maintained. This I believe to be something with the video graphics card. Could be the drivers are not up to date or the card itself is going **** up. The computer has never been dirty due to my meticulous cleaning and maintenance.

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Drivers do not age.
Jan 26, 2012 3:15AM PST

While I have seen drivers in need of fixing to support some new game, they don't degrade with time.

Most laptops do not have a "video card." Most have video chips on the main board.

The fan going to its high rev is your clue that something is not being cooled well enough. At close to 4 years it may be time to replace HEAT SINK COMPOUND in all heat sinks. This may or may not be trivial. Here I've done this far too many times to count.

It's cheap as far as the compound goes but can test an owner's will power and skills if they do it themselves.
Bob