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Question

Laptop Crashing Don't Know Why

Sep 12, 2018 1:37PM PDT

My laptop keeps crashing randomly and I don't know why I've done everything that normally works (I've fixed many computers now) but this one has me stumped after I properly updated its virtual memory limits it extended the time slightly. I find its about 1-3 days till it crashes and I've finally given up after 2.5 months of testing. I'm including a URL of my speccy profile at the end of my post so you can see what I have. I have also opened it up and cleaned out the dust. Now when it crashes if I have music playing it repeats the last like 1 note really fast to the point I feel it might blow a speaker. once it crashes everything freezes on screen nothing responds I tested the Cap lock and nothing happens. Thank you for any help you can provide. Here is my Laptop 

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Thanks for the Speccy. Reading it now.
Sep 12, 2018 1:46PM PDT

While I go and read the rest the CPU is:
"Intel Core i7 2670QM @ 2.20GHz: 78 °C"

Just that alone is enough to say that's too high for just running a web speccy report.

How long has it been since a deep cleaning? Canned air to the insides?

BBL with more.

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Answer
A Speccy reading. Or what I would do if mine.
Sep 12, 2018 2:20PM PDT

1. Get the heat under control. I'd start with a good first cleaning with canned air and see if the fans are functioning like new.

NOTE: IN THE REPORT IS THE CORE at 81C. Hotter than I read at first.

2. I have odd feelings about the security app. Example reading at https://www.reddit.com/r/msp/comments/51xv8l/nable_av_defender_removal_tool/ and others where folk struggle to remove it.
Here I just use Defender and scan from time to time with Grif's list at http://www.cnet.com/forums/discussions/how-to-remove-pup-option-603542/#post-f742c795-5881-433b-a29b-6d758efe5cd3

3. Java is outdated. Just uninstall it and don't reinstall unless you know why you need it.
If you do need it, just hit ninite.com and check off Java to get the latest.

4. Core Temp Autostart Matt Vidmar
Core Temp Autostart Swapna Safetracks
Remove till problems subside.

5. Under not installed are some suspicious items. Go ahead and scan for malware with Grif's list.

6. Why is cmd.exe running? That's suspicious. Scan with Grif's list.

7. prime95.exe running? Not a good idea given the heat.

8. Many SVCHOST instances and lots of IP connections. Turn the following OFF!
Read https://www.howtogeek.com/224981/how-to-stop-windows-10-from-uploading-updates-to-other-pcs-over-the-internet/

9.Xtuple is out of date. Version 4.11.3 || April 2018 is at their site.

10. RAM is mismatched. A 2GB and a 4GB stick. Can cause very hard to diagnose issues. Next time and after the heat gets under control, use only same size, make, model sticks in pairs.

11. BIOS might be out of date. Updates can correct CPU microcode, fix RAM timing and more. I'm not sure what model Lenovo laptop this is so I can't be specific.

12. HDD is in good health. Nothing suspect here.

13. Odd finding. https://www.google.com/search?q=epsecurityservice and the first hits are about BSODs. May want to leave that out till your PC is stable.


Summary. The CPU is at a temp that you should get hangs and BSODs. The RAM is mismatched so another common source of hard to pin down troubles. The other items are what I would change.

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More info
Sep 12, 2018 2:35PM PDT

Your first suggestion I have already done. 2 I cant that's my security program. 3 will do 4 I was suspecting overheating so I have it logging. 5 will do. 6 yes that is suspicious will do. 7 was doing a quick test earlier forgot to close. 8 I'll see what I can do (work laptop) 9 I'll have to wait for now. 10 yes I know again (work laptop) 11 I'll look into it. 12 yes I looked at that as well. 13 (work laptop) I'll see what I can do.
Thank you for the input I'll let you know what happens.

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Work? You may be in real luck.
Sep 12, 2018 2:41PM PDT

Work supplied laptops mean we let the workplace take care of crashing laptops.

As to the security program, I'm impressed. That's yours? As in you run the N able company or wrote it? Kudos. Remember my list is what I would do if it was mine.

What's the new temperature?

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IT is not great
Sep 13, 2018 10:10AM PDT

Yes normally work supplied laptops would get taken care of by IT but for a lack of a better word they are like monkeys on unicycles and it takes forever to get work done. and I look at this as a learning curve, I've seen a new challenge and will attempt to learn how to fix for the future. if I can't get it on my own I'll get IT to work on it but I haven't completely given up yet.

No I meant that's the security program we use.

New temp after doing what I can averages 70 and for some reason my hard drive has gone up 3 degrees?
New Speccy

I have some thermal paste in the mail, I'm going to replace as its the only thing I haven't done that I normally would have done. I'll update this once I have changed the paste which will be on Tuesday or Wednesday.

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HDDs are good for at least 45C
Sep 13, 2018 10:20AM PDT

And I usually don't note it till 50C.

The CPU did take a few degrees off but is still out there in the range that an old laptop or desktop will crash more often than not.

As to your IT, maybe it's just time to call it what it is and tell them it's time for a new laptop.

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New Laptop?
Sep 13, 2018 10:30AM PDT

Hahahaha, This is one of the newest laptop's. Boss would find another used one to buy everything is about keeping it cheep, and everything gets fixed first if possible.

So at what temp would you say is good for this laptop.

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In the 50's.
Sep 13, 2018 10:40AM PDT
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Why did I not think of that
Sep 13, 2018 1:03PM PDT

Nice I'll see what happens after the thermal paste change if it's still crashing I'll get IT on it.

I never even thought to bring my own, (could I write that off for tax's?) I have the perfect extra laptop for it needs a little work but it should work, the only way it would work is if our IT can't fix, it otherwise I'll probably get denied.

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Hope for the best.
Sep 13, 2018 1:50PM PDT

For me, I started using my own gear for many reasons. The primary one is that our IT failed so badly that they shut down software production. So we had a meeting in the engineering group and decided to return all the IT company gear and just do it ourselves. Since the head of the engineering group owned about a third of the company there was no one to veto the move. We had no problem with the IT's direction for office machines but their leader just couldn't wrap their head around what software developers were doing.

Another driver was the cost of a high performance machine has crashed. From thousands to near 1K or for some users less than 1K.

As engineers we had no need for our IT outside of letting them run the network.

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PS. You write you cleaned out the dust.
Sep 12, 2018 2:38PM PDT

I think this laptop is 2 or more years old. So if it runs for days it may be time for a fan check as well as two other things. So all 3.

1. Put it on a laptop cooling pad. Even a passive one.
2. The fans must work like NEW.
3. Consider another deep cleaning and maybe replacing all heatsink compound. If you find items 1 or 2 help, then don't do the heatsink compound work.

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Thermal Paste
Sep 13, 2018 10:13AM PDT

Yes I did a full proper clean of the dust and I have some thermal paste in the mail, I'm going to replace as its the only thing I haven't done that I normally would have done. I'll update this once I have changed the paste which will be on Tuesday or Wednesday.