(no subject)

[hangingstar.livejournal.com]

Hi, I'm having a problem that has me thoroughly baffled.
Recently the harddrive in my Compaq Presario 2700 died. Well, it hadnt died yet, but it was getting close to it. So i purchased a new HD and decided to just run with SuSe linux 9.1. The HD install was a piece of cake, and the SuSe install was very smooth. However, now is when the problem arises. I can not seem to get the machine to stay on. Sometimes it shuts down before suse screen even pops up, sometimes it died in a 20 minute GNOME session, it will never get past initilaization in KDE. It doesnt matter what window manager i use, or what i do while im in suse, the computer will just shut itself off.
There are a few other problems occuring, however, i think if i could jsut get the damned computer to stay on i can take care of them.

any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance, and cross-posted like crazy.

-M.

system Specs:
Compaq Presario 2700
Processor - 1ghz Pentium M
RAM - 512 MB PC133 SyncDRAM
ATI Radeon Mobility M6 graphics card

Comments

[mattdoesntcare.livejournal.com]

In what language was Tobit originally written?

Greek
Latin
Hebrew
Aramaic

[jungessio.livejournal.com]

Tobit (http://my.execpc.com/~gto/Apocrypha/Summaries/tobit.html)

Power or temperature problem.

[coyoteden.livejournal.com]

A laptop will power off if the power is low or the internal temperatures go too high. Try a different AC adapter, and check the AC adapter socket on the laptop for signs of arcing or loose connections: does it die if you wiggle the plug? I've resoldered a LOT of Presario motherboards with cracked or loose adapter sockets.

Also, try running it on AC with the battery removed. If this solves it, you need a new battery.

The third problem could be an overheat caused by a loose or defective CPU heatsink. Sometimes they come loose, other times the heat pipes crack and the fluid evaporates, rendering them ineffective. HPs have a big problems with this, but HP/Compaq is the same company and uses the same parts now. Also, is the little blower on the exhaust vent running when it should? They die a lot too.

Re: Power or temperature problem.

[hangingstar.livejournal.com]

these are all things im checking now.
thank you very much.

[valiskeogh.livejournal.com]

main problem?

compaq

[hangingstar.livejournal.com]

hah hah hah.
thanks for the help.

Re: Power or temperature problem.

[hangingstar.livejournal.com]

well, it wont get any further than a bios check if i run it with the power cord plugged in.
the light on the the poswer adapter is on, though.

i tried with the battery out, but since it doesnt seem to like the pwoer cord, that didnt work.

the heatsink/fan is not attached to the mobo at all. the little anchors that the screws go into have over time stripped themselves out.
also, should i use heatsink glue to attach the fan/heatsink to the processor?

[edminister.livejournal.com]

This is an overheat issue for sure if the heatsink is not firmly against the CPU your temp is skyrocketing. My advice is to remove the screws and replace them with some that will still hold. (grab any aluminum particles with some tape!) If the actual heatsink is what has torn, find some small washers and see if that doesn't do the trick. (over the heatsink ONLY, none under)As far as heat dissipating goo is concerned, a tiny amount wouldn't hurt although obviously they are not lubed up at the factory.

[hangingstar.livejournal.com]

well, the more ive been thinking about this, it happens entirely too soon in some instances to be on overheating issue.
i left it off and unplugged all night alst night, plugged it in, booted, and instantly it died.
thats not nearly enough time to overheat, is it?

Re: Power or temperature problem.

[achernow.livejournal.com]

How does it run with just the battery?

-A

Re: Power or temperature problem.

[hangingstar.livejournal.com]

it boots and runs fine, until you do anything intense, IE change settings for things, or run openoffice.
frozen bubble and rosgarden work fine, however, when plugged in it dies, and KDE wont get past the initialization.
only gnome works...

[edminister.livejournal.com]

No, that sounds like board failure or possibly a bad power brick, see if there is a batteries plus or something in your area and find out if they have a battery for your laptop to test with or compusa has ac adapters. Be the anal customer who HAS to see it work before oyu buy it!

Re: Power or temperature problem.

[coyoteden.livejournal.com]

Woah. That's one fscked laptop. The fact that the HSF is falling off the mobo is problem one, and even tho P4Ms have throttling, it will still power off if temps go too high. The fact that it dies quickly on AC is expected, as the clock speed and therefore the current and heat is reduced on battery. Still, check that AC socket for breakage if you can.

IF those anchors are not part of the motherboard, you might be able to replace them, but they probably are, and that's not good. You're looking at a new motherboard, bottom chassis, or both. Last I checked a motherboard for a 4 year old Presario was $700 so you do the math on a newer one.

I don't think HSF glue would hold it securely as laptop HSF assemblies rely on balanced tension to work right. Notice the screw wells have numbers next to them indicating the order you tighten them in, and suck.

Might be time to Ebay that puppy as parts only.

[dmsalem00.livejournal.com]

<3 P4 fail-safe shutdowns.

BTW, let us know what circuit city decided the problem was, if they'll even let you know.

Jesus at the end of my calls I *always* know what I'm replacing, and why ...=/