HP Probook 4320s - Frequent crash / freezing randomly

[coolasacucumber]

New update: I did as per above post re. BIOS. Then about 3 hours of absolutely perfect useage, not a problem! I was actually thinking the problem was solved...

I was running a dvd in the background with no problems, typed a document using Open Office, even used the internet for about 45 minutes...

...then...

1 freeze, pressed ctrl alt dlt - black screen with cursor - esc - just black screen - waited for about 5 minutes, all resumed, internet still connected, dvd carried on from where it left off etc.

So I stopped the dvd & closed Media Player... within 5 minutes it had frozen again. I did the same as above, and 5 mins later it had unfrozen.

I carried on as usual on the internet, within another 5 mins another freeze, and it has just unfrozen again after the standard 5 minutes of blackness.

It's so confusing how I could get 3 hours trouble free useage, then 3 crash/freezes within 15 minutes?

 

[coolasacucumber]

Latest Errors file to cover that last problem attached.

 

[writhziden]

With all the problems you have in your error logs revolving around HP Software Framework, I would recommend just removing the software and not re-installing it. See if it resolves the problem.

 

[coolasacucumber]

Hp Software Framework removed, again I got a few hours use out of it freeze free - but then it happened again.

I'm happy to try the next solution!!

Thanks muchly.

 

[writhziden]

I did not see any other software that could be causing the problem, so a hardware check is in order:

• Monitor temperatures during the following tests.
  
  Use the following programs to monitor the temperatures.​
  • Real Temp is a good CPU temperature monitor.
  • Speccy - System Information - Free Download will monitor all hardware temperatures.
  • HWiNFO, HWiNFO32 & HWiNFO64 - Hardware Information and Analysis Tools can be inaccurate for CPU temperatures, but is a good program for GPU temperature monitoring.
  • Use FurMark: VGA Stress Test, Graphics Card and GPU Stability Test, Burn-in Test, OpenGL Benchmark and GPU Temperature | oZone3D.Net to test the graphics card GPU. Let it run until the GPU temperatures even out or until the GPU temperatures reach a dangerous level (you can find the max temperature for your card on either the nVidia or AMD sites; if you are not sure, ask us). Then use the |MG| Video Memory Stress Test 1.7.116 Download to test your graphics card memory. Let the memory test run for at least seven passes; the more the better.
    
    
  • Run http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/100352-hardware-stress-test-prime95.html to determine any hardware problems. Run all three tests for a few hours each. If you get errors, stop the test and post back here.
    
    
  • Follow the steps for doing a CPU stress test using IntelBurnTest
  
  
• Run the boot version of Memtest86+ paying close attention to Parts 2 and 3 of the tutorial. Also, in case Memtest86+ misses anything and comes up with no errors, run the extended version of the Windows Memory Diagnostics Tool for at least five passes. These you may want to run overnight since they take a long time to complete (run them an hour before bed each of the next two nights and check before going to sleep that they are still running).
  
  If you swap any memory components, follow these steps for ESD safety:
  1. Shut down and turn off your computer.
  2. Unplug all power supplies to the computer (AC Power then battery for laptops, AC power for desktops)
  3. Hold down the power button for 30 seconds to close the circuit and ensure all power drains from components.
  4. Make sure you are grounded by using proper grounding techniques, i.e. work on an anti-static workbench, anti-static desk, or an anti-static pad. Hold something metallic while touching it to the anti-static surface, or use an anti-static wristband to attach to the anti-static material while working.
  Once these steps have been followed, it is safe to remove and replace components within your computer.

 

[coolasacucumber]

Thanks for the pointers.

Some results as follows:-

Real Temp GT - Intel Core i3-380

Min temp - 39c
Max temp - 50c
Thermal status - ok

Distance to TJ Max - moving between 47 - 51

 

[coolasacucumber]

From Speccy (while playing a dvd)

CPU - 53c
Motherboard - 54c
Graphics - 59c

 

[writhziden]

Those all look reasonable. Run through the diagnostic programs to test the hardware and post back the results.

 

[coolasacucumber]

My graphics card is an ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5470 (HP). Checked their website, but not sure what the max temperature is, would you be able to assist me with that please?

 

[writhziden]

For that display card, I found people who were getting temperatures between 90 and 104 C. Most of those cards have a max of 105 C (so the person at 104 C was pushing it, but said it was under warranty, so didn't care). Max GPU temp? Dell Studio 1558, Ati 5470 1GB DDR3

 

[coolasacucumber]

Furmark has installed on HP laptop, but won't run, a few other people on the download page have said that it won't work with Win 7 either - any ideas?

 

[writhziden]

Are you receiving an error message? I have run it on both my machines, and many others on these forums have run it, so it is not a problem with Windows 7. I have seen problems with it not being able to run due to hardware being old, but I do not suspect that with your card...

 

[coolasacucumber]

Ignore this message!

 

[coolasacucumber]

Ahhhh, that's where my message went, page 4!! I wondered why I couldn't see it. Sorry, please ignore last message!

 

[coolasacucumber]

No error message, nothing.

When installing, the box, 'run program straight away' was ticked, nothing. I tried it from the start menu - nothing.

Uninstalled & re-installed - still nothing, very strange!

Should I ignore it & move on to the other tests, or is it vital they be done in order?

 

[coolasacucumber]

My hard drive light flashes long & hard after asking FurMark to start...

 

[writhziden]

I am wondering if Windows files have become corrupted or if registry errors are preventing Furmark from running.

• Run http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html up to three times to fix all errors with a restart in between each. Post back if it continues to show errors after a fourth run or if the first run comes back with no integrity violations.
  
  
• Have you at any time used a registry cleaner?

 

[coolasacucumber]

SFC /scannow is running currently.

This is a fresh install of windows 7 about 2 weeks ago. I finally got hold of a disc here to allow me to re-install, but it all of the crash/freeze problems are just the same as the original installation.

To my knowledge I have never used a registry cleaner.

 

[coolasacucumber]

Just finished:- WRP did not find any integrity violations...

 

[writhziden]

Odd. Aright, guess we proceed past the Furmark test. Test the others. We'll find another method to stress the GPU later.