Hardware Tests for Malfunctioning Laptop (2730p)?

long story short, my 2730p has been giving me numerous problems and it seems like i will have to reinstall windows as many dlls have gone missing/broken (and the damn thing is barely usable now)... before doing so, i'd like to make sure that everything is functioning fine on the hardware level.

what are some good tests for checking the condition of components?


unfortunately, the info that i have on testing computers is rather dated (and iffy).

voltage:
no clue.
is there a program that can check the condition of a psu?

hdd:
seagate test (in past experience, it gave a good status even when an hdd was just about to die)
hp hard disk test (likewise...)
crystaldisk (likewise)

ram/cpu:
memtest86 (this program actually does work, although i doubt that i have a ram problem)
prime95 (i've never been able to capture a snapshot of instability with either this or the following two programs)
superpi
occt


also, is there a place where a 2730p system recovery iso can be downloaded?

many thanks!

 

I'm presuming this is an HP Elitebook 2730p laptop. Even within that designation, there are several variations. So, it would help if you could run a program such as CPU-Z and post the results of the saved text file report back here as an attachment.

Also, there's an HP Support Document that describes how to use the built-in hardware diagnostics.

 

No there isn't a disk you can download to restore your computer to factory even if you asked the manufacturer for one they only have a license to distribute windows with new computers.

Testing PSU's is generally reserved for when the computer won't function at all, you can test all the voltages by jump starting the power supply with a paperclip 'Google' then testing that each rail has a voltage pretty close with a multimeter but unless you can perform a load test which can test under a wide range of loads and conditions it's reserved only for electronics engineers who get paid more per hour than the price of a PSU, you can test the voltages simple with speefan or any voltage monitoring program what you can't do is change of them apart from the ram and cpu voltage in bios if your motherboard has that option, reserve this for a last best hope situation and only if your discovery cpu or ram instability in prime or memtest.

As for testing stability the programs you have quoted are fine, when testing the cpu be sure to use a temp program to monitor your temperatures, in fact testing everything is within a nice temp range is one of the first tests to perform so go ahead with that right away, good programs are 'Coretemp' or 'speedfan', I like 'sandralite's' monitoring software too, run prime for a good couple of hours until the temp stops rising, if it passes this get 'Intelburn' and set for maximum stress and ram and run again, your temps should now be 5-10 C higher than with prime because it's more stressful, if it completes you know for sure your cpu and ram is stable.

Once you've checked your temps clean out the inside of the case with canned air or compressed air, be sure to blow the inside of psu, wipe the fan blades down and clean any air filters, then check your temps again.

Hope that helps, along with Mcdonahs advice.

 

Just so you know, the user name is mdonah not mcdonah. It is, in fact, a combination of my first initial and the first five letters of my last name. It IS Irish but there used to be an O' in front of it not a Mc.

 

Sorry mate typo, C is under D I wasn't being clever.:-D

I also misread the laptop part, so the psu test you can perform is only a simple voltage and load check with a multimeter, the psu cannot be cleaned and neither should any of the internal components other than a simple blow clean.

You should have caught my other mistake mdonah and told me off:-D

 

some more info and questions:

would a solid state drive be more reliable / resistant to problems?

the current hdd is a toshiba mk1633gsg, which was replaced only just about a year ago ... what happened with the original drive is, some programs stopped functioning normally, ... bootup got slower and slower ... and one day, after rebooting from an excessive wait at the os loading screen (i recall that it was over 30 minutes), bios refuses to detect the hdd ...


a successful system restore has already been attempted and did not fix anything.

i'll be running memtest, prime95, the seagate test, smartudm and the battery tests soon. in the meantime, do these problems look characteristic of any specific type of failure?


TOUCHSTICK MOUSE RIGHT/LEFT CLICK PROBLEMS
booted into a different os (linuxmint ), found the same touchstick 'mouse' problems (!!!) or at least a similar one, where right click stopped working ... i think that would indicate a hardware problem

back in vista...
left click stopped working for about 10 hours ... had to click right click before left click would work ... typing quickly would randomly elicit a right click effect ... this problem persisted through multiple restarts ... then, as mysteriously as this problem appeared, it went away, without restarting or anything. weird.

due to the random nature of this problem, i wonder if perhaps i have a piece of conductive dust in the system or something ... i THINK the mouse problems started after i tried blowing into the vent of the heatsink to clear out any built up dust ... that did dislodge some 1cm long whitish fibers (probably nylon or something) that i then had to tweeze out of the intake vent ... there's probably a lot more back there but i'm having a devil of a time trying to access the heatsink (there seems to be a hidden screw keeping the panel in place)

if this problem had not persisted into a different os, i would have already reinstalled vista. as it is, i don't feel very secure doing this ...

another touchstick mouse problem that sporadically occurs is that clicking left click will elicit the behavior of clicking right click ... and clicking the right click elicits no response. furthermore, the right click menu will sometimes pop up by itself when typing. a usb mouse functions normally and clicking with the usb mouse seems to reset left click for the touchstick but right click for the touchstick remains unresponsive.


TESTS
ran windows memory diagnostic, passed with no errors

ran vista disk check ... had no effect ... found bitmap errors, crosslinked files, orphaned files ... can produce logs if desired

ran sfc /scannow ... found numerous missing and broken dlls ... more info further down

the operating temps are not the highest they've ever been ... between 37-40 degrees celcius

ac adapter voltage (checked with multimeter) is perfectly stable and within parameters ... the laptop is typically running from ac

pc wizard 2012 crashes almost as soon as i initiate the program and restarts in debug mode ...

hdd smart records according to crystaldiskmark: http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/4516/l9ql.png

Uploaded with ImageShack.us


LAGGING
every 3-5s and nearly every action elicits a random laggyness of between 5 and 30 seconds ... chkdsk didn't fix the lag problem. ... there are random pauses during playback of media files ... clicking _anything_, opening a webpage, switching tabs, even hovering over things, etc will elicit lag and sometimes will trigger the spinning circle 'busy' animation ... with just two tabs open in firefox and nothing else open other than notepad++ ... there is lag when selecting text and typing into google ... everything causes lag other than moving the mouse back and forth

strangely, if i wait about 20 seconds before logging in, the longer i wait, the longer it will take for the 'enter password' screen to appear ... and getting to the desktop can take anywhere between 30 seconds to 5 minutes to never (as in, the screen goes black and nothing happens) ...

if i leave the pc on, eventually the lag will get worse and affect more things, including there being tremendous lag before turning the screen back on after returning from idleness ... if enough time has passed, the screen never turns back on and the only option is to reset.

one time, saving a txt file as the lagging was getting worse turned the contents of the file into junk.


BSOD

just got one recently, after attempting to open a txt file in notepad++ caused that program to crash.
unfortunately, it disappeared before i could write anything down ... can't seem to find the bsod in the event viewer, though i'm not sure what i should be looking for ...

windows\ minidump\ is empty ... there is no memory.dmp ...


SFC

notable entries from cbs.log
2013-07-19 12:43:15, Info CSI 0000017b [SR] Cannot repair member file [l:28{14}]"trkwks.dll.mui" of Microsoft-Windows-trkwks.Resources, Version = 6.0.6000.16386, pA = PROCESSOR_ARCHITECTURE_INTEL (0), Culture = [l:10{5}]"en-US", VersionScope = 1 nonSxS, PublicKeyToken = {l:8 b:31bf3856ad364e35}, Type neutral, TypeName neutral, PublicKey neutral in the store, hash mismatch
2013-07-19 12:43:18, Info CSI 0000017d [SR] Cannot repair member file [l:28{14}]"trkwks.dll.mui" of Microsoft-Windows-trkwks.Resources, Version = 6.0.6000.16386, pA = PROCESSOR_ARCHITECTURE_INTEL (0), Culture = [l:10{5}]"en-US", VersionScope = 1 nonSxS, PublicKeyToken = {l:8 b:31bf3856ad364e35}, Type neutral, TypeName neutral, PublicKey neutral in the store, hash mismatch
2013-07-19 12:43:18, Info CSI 0000017e [SR] This component was referenced by [l:262{131}]"Microsoft-Windows-WindowsFoundation-LanguagePack-Package~31bf3856ad364e35~x86~en-US~6.0.6000.16386.Windows Foundation Language Pack"
2013-07-19 12:43:18, Info CSI 00000181 [SR] Could not reproject corrupted file [ml:520{260},l:58{29}]"\??\C:\Windows\System32\en-US"\[l:28{14}]"trkwks.dll.mui"; source file in store is also corrupted

2013-07-19 12:47:18, Info CSI 000001d5 [SR] Beginning Verify and Repair transaction
2013-07-19 12:47:18, Info CSI 000001d7 [SR] Cannot repair member file [l:28{14}]"trkwks.dll.mui" of Microsoft-Windows-trkwks.Resources, Version = 6.0.6000.16386, pA = PROCESSOR_ARCHITECTURE_INTEL (0), Culture = [l:10{5}]"en-US", VersionScope = 1 nonSxS, PublicKeyToken = {l:8 b:31bf3856ad364e35}, Type neutral, TypeName neutral, PublicKey neutral in the store, hash mismatch
2013-07-19 12:47:18, Info CSI 000001d9 [SR] Cannot repair member file [l:28{14}]"trkwks.dll.mui" of Microsoft-Windows-trkwks.Resources, Version = 6.0.6000.16386, pA = PROCESSOR_ARCHITECTURE_INTEL (0), Culture = [l:10{5}]"en-US", VersionScope = 1 nonSxS, PublicKeyToken = {l:8 b:31bf3856ad364e35}, Type neutral, TypeName neutral, PublicKey neutral in the store, hash mismatch
2013-07-19 12:47:18, Info CSI 000001da [SR] This component was referenced by [l:262{131}]"Microsoft-Windows-WindowsFoundation-LanguagePack-Package~31bf3856ad364e35~x86~en-US~6.0.6000.16386.Windows Foundation Language Pack"
2013-07-19 12:47:18, Info CSI 000001dd [SR] Could not reproject corrupted file [ml:520{260},l:58{29}]"\??\C:\Windows\System32\en-US"\[l:28{14}]"trkwks.dll.mui"; source file in store is also corrupted
2013-07-19 12:47:18, Info CSI 000001df [SR] Repairing corrupted file [ml:58{29},l:56{28}]"\??\C:\Windows\system32\wbem"\[l:42{21}]"Wdf01000Uninstall.mof" from store
2013-07-19 12:47:18, Info CSI 000001e1 [SR] Repairing corrupted file [ml:58{29},l:56{28}]"\??\C:\Windows\system32\wbem"\[l:24{12}]"Wdf01000.mof" from store
2013-07-19 12:47:18, Info CSI 000001e5 [SR] Repairing corrupted file [ml:58{29},l:56{28}]"\??\C:\Windows\system32\wbem"\[l:42{21}]"Wdf01000Uninstall.mof" from store
2013-07-19 12:47:18, Info CSI 000001e7 [SR] Repairing corrupted file [ml:58{29},l:56{28}]"\??\C:\Windows\system32\wbem"\[l:24{12}]"Wdf01000.mof" from store
2013-07-19 12:47:19, Info CSI 000001eb [SR] Repair complete
2013-07-19 12:47:19, Info CSI 000001ec [SR] Committing transaction
2013-07-19 12:47:19, Info CSI 000001ed [SR] Cannot commit interactively, there are boot critical components being repaired
2013-07-19 12:47:19, Info CSI 000001ee [SR] Repairing 3 components
2013-07-19 12:47:19, Info CSI 000001ef [SR] Beginning Verify and Repair transaction
2013-07-19 12:47:19, Info CSI 000001f1 [SR] Cannot repair member file [l:28{14}]"trkwks.dll.mui" of Microsoft-Windows-trkwks.Resources, Version = 6.0.6000.16386, pA = PROCESSOR_ARCHITECTURE_INTEL (0), Culture = [l:10{5}]"en-US", VersionScope = 1 nonSxS, PublicKeyToken = {l:8 b:31bf3856ad364e35}, Type neutral, TypeName neutral, PublicKey neutral in the store, hash mismatch
2013-07-19 12:47:19, Info CSI 000001f3 [SR] Cannot repair member file [l:28{14}]"trkwks.dll.mui" of Microsoft-Windows-trkwks.Resources, Version = 6.0.6000.16386, pA = PROCESSOR_ARCHITECTURE_INTEL (0), Culture = [l:10{5}]"en-US", VersionScope = 1 nonSxS, PublicKeyToken = {l:8 b:31bf3856ad364e35}, Type neutral, TypeName neutral, PublicKey neutral in the store, hash mismatch
2013-07-19 12:47:19, Info CSI 000001f4 [SR] This component was referenced by [l:262{131}]"Microsoft-Windows-WindowsFoundation-LanguagePack-Package~31bf3856ad364e35~x86~en-US~6.0.6000.16386.Windows Foundation Language Pack"
2013-07-19 12:47:19, Info CSI 000001f7 [SR] Could not reproject corrupted file [ml:520{260},l:58{29}]"\??\C:\Windows\System32\en-US"\[l:28{14}]"trkwks.dll.mui"; source file in store is also corrupted
2013-07-19 12:47:19, Info CSI 000001f9 [SR] Repairing corrupted file [ml:58{29},l:56{28}]"\??\C:\Windows\system32\wbem"\[l:42{21}]"Wdf01000Uninstall.mof" from store
2013-07-19 12:47:19, Info CSI 000001fb [SR] Repairing corrupted file [ml:58{29},l:56{28}]"\??\C:\Windows\system32\wbem"\[l:24{12}]"Wdf01000.mof" from store
2013-07-19 12:47:19, Info CSI 000001ff [SR] Repairing corrupted file [ml:58{29},l:56{28}]"\??\C:\Windows\system32\wbem"\[l:42{21}]"Wdf01000Uninstall.mof" from store
2013-07-19 12:47:19, Info CSI 00000201 [SR] Repairing corrupted file [ml:58{29},l:56{28}]"\??\C:\Windows\system32\wbem"\[l:24{12}]"Wdf01000.mof" from store
2013-07-19 12:47:19, Info CSI 00000205 [SR] Repair complete



HOW IT ALL STARTED
i have no idea.

all of these problems are coincidental with installing a new version of java a few days ago ... based on the non os specific nature of some of these problems, i think that is just a red herring ... i used system restore to roll back to a much earlier date and that didn't fix anything ...

a few days later, i got a windows update error: "WindowsUpdate_8E5E0147"

and that's when i ran sfc, which fixed nothing ... multiple dlls are still missing or broken ...

PS: possibly unrelated, i found a small, whitish dust mite crawling on the top of the screen after placing the laptop down on an outside table ... this occured long after these problems started but i do tend to use this laptop outside quite a bit ... opening the main access panel at the bottom of the laptop reveals no obvious infestation or any bug carcasses, although only a small bit of the mobo is revealed ...

PSS: long before any of this happened, i used to run into similar problems after running a java program called jdownloader; basically, the pc would start getting more and more glitchy ('cannot locate hard disk' errors when the hdd is perfectly fine) and laggy until i restart ... but these problems would only happen after i'd start that program and would never occur otherwise. i could literally have the pc on for months and not run into a single problem ... but after starting jdownloader for 30 minutes, BAM.

these problems are coincidental with downloading a java update. i'm not sure what the connection is but it seemed to trip something off...

 

You need to know the results of the tests, remove the hard drive if possible and connect to a desktop to eliminated the rest of the laptop then run seatools I do this with every random problem like this especially data recovery and hard drive corruption.

If you burn linux mint to a disk you can also check for your right click problem just use the computer for a short time, if it works flawlessly you know it's a software or driver problem.If the problem is fixed by adding a mouse its a driver or software problem also, at a guess I would say the touchpad is being partially disabled when a mouse is detected, the problem with this theory is the whole pad should be disabled.

http://www.linuxmint.com/

Install the latest touchpad driver from the laptop manufacturer, when you experience the fault go to the taskbar icon and go to device properties, device settings and reset device, do the left and right clicks start working? If so you'll have to look for fault related to that driver or software version.

Don't be afraid to jump back a few touchpad driver versions if the current one doesn't work, as far as I'm concerned the driver that makes the touchpad and buttons work is the right driver.

You can also adjust the functionality of the touchpad in windows, post your windows version again please I can't see it in the thread-

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/...te-mouse/db408bc8-aa90-4945-919b-f8bb860a6f0f

Is an SSD more reliable? Sounds like a debate question:-D No, if drives are within their working life and functioning normally they are both as reliable as each other, the SSD is just faster, the SSD will get slower toward the end of it's life while usually the hard drive will be within a few percent of it's factory speed unless it's become faulty.

If it is the drive that's faulty it's dead, since you've had it less than a year and you haven't mistreated it's manufacturing fault, look for DOA and returns for your model, when in doubt RMA your well within the 5 year 'sorry 3 years for seagate' RMA time frame.

Getting to the bottom of the problem means ruling things out, before any more info is posted the search has to be made smaller by running some tests to narrow it down.

 

You can also remove the driver completely, go to control panel, programs and remove any software related to the mouse. System,device manager, find the mouse and uninstall driver.

Windows will take over and load a generic driver which may make touchpad work, you may also want to make a reference of the driver you uninstall and driver windows automatically installs to be sure the driver is different.