Many Issues-Please Help!

For the last week have been trying to find out what is up with a family members laptop.
I am going to simply list the problems below and hopefully one of you can direct me further on what to do.
1. Computer has recovered from a serious error
2. Laptop radomly stops working, even though power light remains on. Need
to turn computer off and reboot.
3. Laptop monitor does not work; In certain lighting, you can faintly see items
on the desktop. This is how I have tried using computer in safemode. When computer boots up, there is a flash of the Dell logo which looks normal.
4. Computer acts very slow
I have followed the Read & Run Me first steps here from the forum. The problem is that the computer will not stay on long enough to do virus scans, etc.
What is my next step?
Thank you!

 

Thanks Chaslang

 

Plodr
I have it connected to an external monitor and can view everything fine until the
computer stops working.
The screen goes blank and no response while touching any keys. But on the laptop
the power button remains on. I have to manually turn the laptop off then start all over again.

 

By the way...while the laptop is in safe mode (which can't be viewed on the external monitor) the computer will stay on forever??

 

Cocoa44117,

I had a Dell laptop where the screen would go almost completely black except you could very faintly see the desktop in a black room. Both times the screen was replaced under warranty and it solved the problems. You should get a replacement from the laptop company to solve that issue.

It sounds like you have another issue besides the screen. Depending on your laptop, there is a secret key combo that will allow you to run diagnostics before Windows boots.

Hope that helps...