laptop wont boot

[aussie11]

Having problems with my Acer travel mate laptop.
Win x.p
When I hit the power button I get the Acer splash screen then it goes straight to options screen, choose safe mode or normal boot the outcome is the same.
It makes it as far as the windows loading screen then the computer just switches off.
Have tried various suggestions, removing the ram and replaced one at a time, removing the h/drive and powered up, but it just turns off after about 20 seconds. It has been suggested that the problem could be the cmos battery; the computer is about 18 months old.
Any thoughts would be appreciated.

[street1 (RIP)]

Hello aussie11, Welcome to Computerhope.

Can you tell if the fan is working?


Can you boot to CMOS/BIOS setup?

[Raptor]

Is the fan working?

[aussie11]

Sorry I forgot that bit yes the fan is working; it comes on as soon as I hit power, goes off for a few secs then starts again.
Yes I can get into bios but only have about 5 seconds in bios before it shuts down.

[Raptor]

On Netpower or battery?

[aussie11]

Same on battery, and mains and with battery removed no difference.

[aussie11]

Hi all
Just had a new clue thought I’d check the date/ time in bios as a clue to the condition of the cmos battery, it was all correct.
Powered up again selected normal start up this time after the windows load screen I got check disk, it got about half way through the 80 gig h/drive about 2 mins before it shut down. This happened twice.
Just tried it again back to the original problem.

[aussie11]

Hi all
Still having problems none of which make sense.
After several attempts scan disk eventually completed its scan and reported several errors that it repaired, this happened a few times then it actually opened windows, it was running painfully slow but I at least managed to back up the important stuff.
It then ran for four hours slowly but all working. I managed to configure the boot sequence in bios to c.d first just in case I needed to reinstall. Decided to reset to factory settings, half way through it shut down.
Now the bit I can’t make out, left it overnight and decided to go for a complete reinstall using the three Acer discs that came with the machine, boot disc, win 98 win x.p I assume, got onto the last disc(x.p)  about 15 minutes in total and it shut down.
It would seem to be overheating problem the initial power up lasting 10/15 minutes then gradually getting shorter every time I reboot, except it ran for four hours last night.
Now suspect a bios virus, grateful for any opinions

[Raptor]

It sounds like it's overheating.

Diagnose the RAM and HDD to make certain it's not a faulty component.

is it still under warranty?

[aussie11]

Yes I thought of overheating except for the fact that it ran windows for four hours twice.
Discounted the ram by removing them both then booting them one at a time.
Yes I am thinking H/D or virus.
The thing is this machine belongs to a young disabled lad, not much cash so I am reluctant to buy a new H/D just to try.
The machine is about 18 months old and out of warranty.
He has been downloading on P2P groups which make me think virus

[Raptor]

Discounted the ram by removing them both then booting them one at a time.

Insufficient.

I really wish people would stop assuming swapping RAM sticks does the trick each time.

Microsoft Memory Diagnostics

Yes I am thinking H/D

Download diagnostic software from the HDD manufacturer. If it's Toshiba, you'll have to use something else like Killdisk. Unfortunately, that also writes zeroes to your HDD but it will let you know if there are bad sectors.

ot much cash so I am reluctant to buy a new H/D just to try.

No one ever told you to, but if it's broke, it's broke.

He has been downloading on P2P groups which make me think virus

Viruses don't make laptops shut down during the POST.

[aussie11]

This is so weird
Powered up tonight the only option I got was to reset to factory settings (bit like restore on X.P) , so I selected it as I have done several times before just for the *censored* of watching the computer shut down half way through it. Guess what it worked computer is working O.K
Be interested to hear your thoughts.

Thank you all very much for your input, I know a young lad who will be very happy.

[Fed]

It still sounds like a heat problem to me.
Are you using it on a hard flat surface, are the vents clean, is there any dust build up?
Ambient temperature could come into play here too.