Laptop problem

snappyfish · 19 Feb 2011 at 21:37

I have my nieces laptop here and on boot you get:

Windows error recovery.

Windows failed to start. a recent hardware or software change... Bla bla bla

I recently installed Vista and it was running fine for around 2 months. There is a beep or two but and then it cuts out and switches off?

Any ideas or what piece of hardware to start with first?

Spec:

Celeron Dual core T1600
2046 DDR 2 Ram
160gb Hardrive
Intel integrated graphics

Brian8bit · 19 Feb 2011 at 21:41

a recent hardware or software change

Would make me think it's been dropped and something (RAM) has come loose or something is damaged. Though the beep code should give an indication of what is wrong.

http://www.computerhope.com/beep.htm

snappyfish · 19 Feb 2011 at 22:04

Brian8bit said:
Would make me think it's been dropped and something (RAM) has come loose or something is damaged. Though the beep code should give an indication of what is wrong.

http://www.computerhope.com/beep.htm

Ok, Might take a look - never taken a laptop apart even though have built around 10 or so tower pcs etc.

How easy is it to take them apart?

Brian8bit · 19 Feb 2011 at 22:08

gary_0928 said:
How easy is it to take them apart?

Many have a panel on the back you can remove that will allow access to the RAM. Hard drive positioning depends entirely on how awkwardly the manufacturer intended on being when they designed the thing. I've had laptops with a panel in the back for access to the HDD. Some with a sliding tray near optical bays or on either side of the laptop which can be removed with two screws. And a horrible Sony Vaio that put the hard drive on the left hand side under the palm rest that required the complete dismantling of the entire thing and removing the keyboard to get at.

snappyfish · 19 Feb 2011 at 22:20

Brian8bit said:
depends entirely on how awkwardly the manufacturer intended on being when they designed the thing.

Its a Advent, fairly easy?

Brian8bit · 19 Feb 2011 at 22:26

gary_0928 said:
Its a Advent, fairly easy?

Depends on the model. Just bust out a screwdriver and remove a panel at a time just to look and see what's what. You should also check out the laptop/PDA subforum here on overclockers or the adventsupport.com forums as they'll be of more use than me regarding disassembly of particular models and help with bug fixing as I've never had or worked on an Advent myself.