HP 550 laptop usually shuts down during boot

I have a HP 550 laptop. When I try to reboot it, it shut down during startup. It usually shuts down almost immediately, then I turn it on again and it shuts down after a few seconds, the third time lasts a bit longer and so on and so on, until it lasts long enough to boot up. As soon as it gets into windows (XP) it works normally without any problems. I can have it on for days, but as soon as I try to reboot the same thing happens. Any help would be much appreciated.

I tried to install win 7 today and I can't get it to stay on for long enough to enter the setup. The laptop only seems to shut down before windows starts loading, I haven't seen it shut down during windows start up, always before, but it takes a long time for it to get to the stage where windows starts up. I can provide any additional information you might need.

Thank you,

 

I have now managed to do a clean install of windows XP. Since the problem still exists, I suppose it must have something to do with overheating. And it does only happen after a reset, when the computer is off for a while it boots normally. But I don't understand why it doesn't shut down after windows starts. If it is overheating, shouldn't it cause problems all the time?

To answer your questions, the computer hasn't been bumped, at least not in any way that would be able to cause damage (and it was never in contact with any liquid). The problem remains with everything unplugged and since it only happens before the windows logo appears, it doesn't matter if I go to safe mode or not.

I have tried blowing out the dust off the vent, and it didn't seem dusty (the laptop is in a drawer, lid closed, as I have it plugged to a TV and use a USB keyboard and mouse), but it has always heated up pretty fast, ever since I got it. I've tried keeping it in open spaces, and lifted off the table but it heats up just the same. Besides the boot up shut down thing, it's never caused any problems.

Thanks for your time

 

bump?

 

With Laptops, the problem of overheating is usually caused by a build up of dust and fluff between the incoming filer and the fan, to such an extent as it can be 10 to 15mm thick, and forms a wad that restricts the flow.
I have cleaned many with this problem- if an air cannister does not solve it, most likely it will need dismantling to solve it.
Keeping it in a draw is definitely a no no. You can buy a laptop fan that you can stand the laptop on, (pretty cheap) that could help. The lid should always be left open to help keep it cool, too.
If you look at this from HP, you can see the fan , and how to get to it- unless you are proficient, or, want to go that far,yourself, it really is a repair shop job.
http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/globalciti...tiCountry/disassembly_notebo_200882733612.pdf

Good luck:wave