My laptop keeps crashing, it's very strange. Photos included.

[Rip The Jacker]

Hey.

I need help. It all started last night with my HP DV2310US laptop. I will be using it, and at random, it'll crash. Weird patterns will show up on the screen, and then I can't do anything. Nothing works, not Ctrl Alt Del, not standby, anything.

This happens:







I want to format the HDD and do a clean install of Windows XP, but I'm worried that the screen might be dead itself. I don't wanna start then have it crash halfway through the install. I also tried safe mode, same thing. At first it happened an hour or so after boot up.

Now I just turn it on, like 20 seconds later it happens. I haven't called HP yet... any help would be greatly appreciated. =)

[necromantic]

That's the video card locking up on you, I'd bet my FTN account on it. Are you overclocking the GPU? Try uninstalling the video drivers, RESTART THE PC, then go install some fresh ones. Failing that, I dunno, sell it on eBay?

[psychophil]

I'd agree that its graphics related.
If you can't get into safe mode + reinstall graphics drivers.
Try booting and F8 and choose last known good config.
Else if in warranty ring HP.
Or reinstall OS.

[Rip The Jacker]

Yeah it sounds like you guys are right. Before crashing, I checked the temp on the GPU, it was 110 degrees C, after about 30 minutes of normal use. The video card/GPU is overheating it seems. It went up to 111-115 degrees.

I'm not overclocking it. Unfortunately, I can't touch the drivers cause it keeps freezing, even in safe mode. I tried last known good config, same thing.

I called HP, and they are sending me a box so I can ship the laptop back to them. I have 2 months of warranty left, man I got lucky huh? The bottom of my laptop is burning up... =/

[necromantic]

Try running the laptop from the freezer or if you live somewhere cold go outside. Hey, it's worth a shot.

[Rip The Jacker]

Try running the laptop from the freezer or if you live somewhere cold go outside. Hey, it's worth a shot.

I could try the freezer... is that really safe though?

EDIT: It runs flawlessly inside of my freezer. I guess it's settled then huh...

[kaiweiler]

Yeah it was definitely an overheating issue, 115C is waaay to hot!

[Rip The Jacker]

Yeah it was definitely an overheating issue, 115C is waaay to hot!

Yeah.

Question: Should I uninstall uTorrent and delete my pirated stuff before sending it to HP? I don't think they will care really. I don't want to delete stuff for no reason.

[100%]

no need.
Are your fans working at all? or are the clogged?

115C geezuz man, mine used to crash at 60C
used work with fridge door open....

[S!X]

Yeah it was definitely an overheating issue, 115C is waaay to hot!

Yeah.

Question: Should I uninstall uTorrent and delete my pirated stuff before sending it to HP? I don't think they will care really. I don't want to delete stuff for no reason.

I wouldn't be worried about it.