Alienware laptop crashing - where to get fixed?

bobert50 · 2 Apr 2007 at 14:28

Being a laptop its a bit of a pain to get into and fiddle with compared to a proper pc.

Specs:

3.4ghz p4
geforce 5700 mobility
1 gig ram
etc etc!

Its just randomly crashing in windows, obviously it would in games too but it doesnt even need to be in a game to crash. Crashes with even the windows use such as loading word etc. Anyone know what it might be and anyone know a good place to get it fixed? Because its crashing without even needing to go into games would this rule out the graphics card and suggest something to do with the CPU?

Its about 3 yrs old now so definately out of warrantee!

Jonny L · 2 Apr 2007 at 14:30

Could it be overheating?, presumably alienware will fix it but you may have to pay them as it is out of warrenty.

bobert50 · 2 Apr 2007 at 14:34

For the sort of fee's they'd want it probably wouldnt be worth doing it through them. Yea it must be overheating, just wondering which component. I took it to a local computer shop a while back but they didnt want to deal with it as they didnt know enough about them.

Raikiri · 2 Apr 2007 at 14:35

Use coolbits and speedfan (or similar) to see what the temps are like.

neverender · 2 Apr 2007 at 14:51

Would be worth testing the memory with memtest too (I know I had crashing probs with an old laptop which turned out to be due to a RAM module dying).

Also, if you know/can find out what kind of HDD you have in that Alienware then it'll be worth doing a diag. on that too. Most manufacturers have tools you there website you can boot off during POST.

Worth ruling out these two components I reckon, as replacing them yourself is a pretty simple job even in a laptop and should be far cheaper than sending it off to someone for them to do the same job.
Good luck sorting it out anyway.