Windows 7 crashing no BSOD

Don't really know where to start so thought I would start here.

I am getting seemingly random crashes on my Sony Vaio Laptop running Windows 7 Professional. Started a few weeks ago infrequently, now happening a few times a day.

Just crashes and I get no blue screen and when I start it back up, it doesn't behave like it's coming off a crash, just boots right back up to Windows 7 again.

Would love some help on how to even begin to understand what might be the cause.

I do remote demos with my customers online, so these crashes are beginning to disrupt my work. I've had this machine for a few years and love it. NEVER had any problems. I take good care of it.

Please help?

 

MNMP2...

Have you looked into the temperatures on the PC? Maybe the laptop is shutting down due to high temps. Laptops are kind of prone to this as heat can build up inside the case and the automatic shutdown mechanism activate.

I suggest HWiFo, which will monitor your temps and other data over time, so you can see the highs and lows.

Here is the download here at MGs if this is something you haven't looked into, yet:

For 64 bit OS:
http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/hwinfo64.html

For 32 bit OS:
http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/hwinfo32.html

 

Thanks. That was one of my suspicions.

So I downloaded this (64 bit) and have it running.

Not sure how to utilize this. Do I wait for it to shut down again? Will this program allow for me to share data with someone here that could help?

I dont know what are the fixes for the machine getting too hot...

 

You'll have to get the Service Manual for your VIAO from the Sony Support site so you can see how to disassemble the case in order to be able to use compressed air to blow the dust and debris out of the ventilation holes in the case and from wherever it may have accumulated. You'll also have to check to make sure the fan(s) is/are working properly. If you are unable to do this on your own, you'll need to go to a computer tech and have it done. Otherwise, the computer may simply fail completely and need to be replaced.

 

So I'm noticing that it typically runs at around 65-70 C most times. But when I get to launching Chrome or going to websites, running other apps it spikes up to 90-95 as the fan is running and then it calms down and goes back to the prior range.

Is this a problem?

 

65 — 70 C is 149 — 158 F (at idle?) 90 — 95 C is 194 — 203 F. These temps are too high. My laptop temps never go above your idle temps even under full load. You have a definite cooling problem which I believe is caused by dust. The heat is being trapped inside the case by the cooling slots being plugged with it. They need clean air flow to work properly.

 

So I took it apart and air cleaned everything, put it back together. Right now as I type I am getting 55-60 at idle. Still likes to spike at times up to 85 or so but drops A LOT quicker now when the fan kicks in, and the fan only runs for very short bursts and then everything goes back down. So that's an improvement but I'm still concerned. The fan looked to be in good shape - just needed the cleaning.

Overall it is running quieter. Any other ideas to help?

 

MNMP2...

I'll defer to mdonah on this one, because I don't own a laptop. mdonah, do you think this would be the point to look into reseating the heat sink? I guess user should probably focus on getting the processor usage down first and see what happens?

MNMP2, couldn't hurt to list the processes that are using the processor most when it is racing. Sounds like it's very common or almost always. To see what is using the processor, right click on the taskbar and select "Start Task Manager". Click on the Processes tab and then on the header titled "CPU". Keep TM open for awhile and take a look to see which processes are at the top of the list and then please post them in your next post....

 

The biggest hogs are when Chrome is loading or playing video (like the video ads that play on news sites and then the biggest hog randomly is Norton 360. Sometimes Norton is using 25% of CPU. It can be while everything else is idle too. Not sure why it does that.

 

MNMP2...

A few questions:

What kind of processor is in the laptop? You mentioned low RAM. Can it be upped? What is the exact model of the VAIO?

 

MNMP2,

Download WhoCrashed Free Home Edition. Even without a BSOD, it'll show what caused Windows to crash.

http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/whocrashed_free_home_edition.html

I don't own a laptop but, under 'normal' use the CPU temperature should stay below 50°C. I have a 1.8GHz Celeron CPU, currently have 4 tabs open in Internet Explorer, and use Avast Antivirus Free. The CPU temp. is 47°C
Also, for Norton 360 to use 25% CPU power is unacceptable.

 

It's a Sony Vaio VPCZ1.

Processor is Intel Core i5-460M 2.53Ghz, 4GB RAM. Has a solid state hard drive.

I've had this thing for about 7 years now and love it.

So since cleaning it out, the fan runs a lot less often. As I type it is at 59c and 60c for the 2 cores. That is standard now. Seems the only time it actually heats up is when that darn Norton 360 kicks in and jacks CPU usage to 22-25%.

I searched on NOrton 360 CPU usage and seems to be a pretty common problem, and I dont see any fixes for it.

The laptop sits on a docking station. I've re positioned it now to give better ventilation.

The good news is I went all day yesterday without a crash, using as per normal for my work. The only concern I have is when I end up doing a Go TO Meeting again while demo-ing some software to a customer. That has been the most common scenario for crash.

I appreciate everyone's advice here!

 

Did this. No files to be read so I changed the settings on my machine per their instructions. We'll srr if it happens again. Hope not!

 

MNMP2...

Don't know much about laptops, but I wonder if after 7 years the laptop could just use sort of a tune-up, like repasting and reseating the heatsink and maybe taking a look at the battery and so on. I think laptop batteries can contribute to heat build up.

Software-wise, it sounds like all you can do is try another a-v perhaps.

The horsepower of your processor is decent, especially for a laptop of that age. Still, maybe you will get to the point that it makes sense to get something more powerful (4th gen i series/8 GB RAM, etc.) for your "GoTo" computer :-D. If this becomes interesting to you, you can really get a good feel for what you are buying by Googling "Passmark [processor here]" and then click on the Passmark benchmark page for that processor. Then compare the number to the one in your PC presently to see what you are getting in comparison.

BTW, I know the avast scanner runs while videos play. Sounds like maybe Norton is the same way. You may be able to find a way to whitelist the GoTo app in your a-v so that the scanner won't run when it's open. In avast there are scanner settings specifically for this.

 

The good news is that since I cleaned it out, I haven't had a crash and the fan runs less often for sure. Seems much more "peaceful" around my desk now.

I'll look into the other ideas given here. Very much appreciate the advice and help!

 

Good news!

Sometimes, two or more heads are better then one.

 

It sounds like a fresh coat of thermal paste is in order.

This requires removing the heat sink, applying new paste (after cleaning the old), and reseating the whole kit and kaboodle.

 

UGH.... First off I dont even know what a heat sink is and probably am not qualified to be messing with it even if I did.

 

The heat sink is a ribbed piece of aluminium (aluminum) between the processor (CPU) and the fan. I suggest you ask an experienced person to reseat the heat sink and fan.

http://hardwaretexpert.blogspot.com/2010/12/how-to-install-heat-sinkfan.html

 

MNMP2...

Recommend a professional for reseating the heatsink if you aren't familiar with the process. It's easy to damage sensitive motherboard circuitry during this kind of procedure, and with some laptops just getting to the heatsink to remove it can be VERY difficult.

I expect to get the full tune up mentioned, you would be looking at spending $150. This would include inspecting all the interior parts and connectors and repasting and reseating the processor and cleaning RAM connectors and reseating the RAM. You would also be getting a thorough cleaning, which would go a little bit further than what you have done, so far.

If the PC is in very good shape, it is enough of a performer that I would say it's worth it after 7 years if you think you will be using it for another 2 years.

 

I had never done anything with a laptop computer. I had replaced a motherboard on a Dell desktop because of a blunder on my part. I got my laptop a couple of years ago and had to replace the System board because all of the USB ports were defective. I got the Service Manual from the computer manufacturer and it made things quite easy. I only needed a #1 Phillips screwdriver to accomplish the task. Following the instructions was the only other thing I needed to do.

 

This is strange but I don't have "System cooling policy" as an item in any of the available power plans. I have the Min/Max processor state but not the other in the middle of those 2.