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Laptop shuts down while playing games

post #1 of 22
5/3/09 at 1:49pm
Thread Starter 
Hi all,
I have searched these forums for similar threads but I think my issue is not really like any of those already put forward.
I have an Aspire 1694wlmi with a 2GHz Pentium M, a Mobility Radeon x700 (256mb) and 1GB of ram. I run Win XP with SP3. I didn't do anything to the comp apart from removing its crappy built-in wlan adapter.

The issue is this: whenever I play any game (even as undemanding as UT99) the laptop just shuts down without warning. This even happens playing 8ballclub's billiards sim in window mode for instance.
The whole thing started happening occasionally a long time ago (with Rome Total War at first). Right now, it happens always and very very soon after starting the game (i.e. less than a minute).

I have noticed that the CPU usage jumps to 100% as soon as I launch the game and stays there until shutdown (but this is supposed to be normal, yes?). Also, I tried stopping all non-essential processes (of which there weren't that many to begin with) and the CPU usage is around 0-4% when idle.

I have also opened the lid and look for dust - none there (neither around the processor nor around the graphics adapter)

I tried updating the ATI drivers, but since the Radeon is included in all Acers, it won't let you update the drivers - and Acer doesn't provide updates either. I have installed the Catalyst Control Center...

People have associated such problems with viruses. I use Avast which finds no viruses (I'm installing Kaspersky next).

I really have no idea what this could be and I'm getting really frustrated. Sorry for the lenghty post, I wanted to provide as much info as possible.
Any help would be immensely appreciated!

Regards, Peter
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post #2 of 22
5/3/09 at 4:15pm
If its a couple of years old, the laptop may have a dirt/hair issue around the fans/processor/heatsink, be overheating then shutting down.
If it hasnt been cleaned out before, you might want to try disconnecting everything, remove the battery, flip it over and remove the larger panels to get access to the fan. Get a can of canned air and spray around the fan and try to dislodge any hair/dust buildup. Keep the fan isolated so it doesnt overspin. Also, when the laptop shuts down, are you on a flat solid surface or on something soft like your knees or bed where the fan outlets may be blocked???
Oh yeah, you might want to download, install, then update and run Malwarebytes free version. Run that every couple of weeks to get rid of any malware
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post #3 of 22
5/3/09 at 4:35pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the prompt reply. I will definitely try Malwarebytes as well as some good antivirus software. Regarding the dust: I intend to buy a can of compressed air tomorrow but I don't think dust is really the issue, I have already taken a look inside with the lid off and nothing seems to be dusty in there...

I don't ever use the laptop on a soft surface so that's not the issue either. I've even tried elevating it some 3 inches above the desk...didn't help.

Anyway what do you guys think, is this really overheating? I mean, it happens literally seconds after loading a game and it NEVER happens when I'm doing other stuff, no matter how stressed the comp is.

Thanks again and I'd appreciate any other ideas.
Regards, Peter
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post #4 of 22
5/3/09 at 4:39pm
Sounds like a classic overheating issue. Not knowing any of the games, you might want to confirm that the min game requirements are met with your processor, GPU, (Graphic Processor Unit) etc. Is there an XP compatablility issue????
There are also laptop cooling pads which in essence is a pad with a couple of fans built into it which fits under the laptop and helps dispell hot air. Its USB driven
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post #5 of 22
5/3/09 at 4:51pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks again Saugen, I hope the compressed air helps...I've considered a cooling pad also, but since it only happens in games, I thought I could rule overheating out. I have even tried benchmarking the processor and GPU so as to stress them and see if they overheat - went perfectly well without problems...
Oh and btw, it happens with all games, no matter how old and undemanding they are. I mean, it's a 256mb graphics adapter and it shuts down playing a 1999 first person shooter game.
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post #6 of 22
5/3/09 at 5:53pm
You might want to see if there is a video driver update for your unit.
Is there sound associated with these games??? Does the sound carry on when the video is frozen???
Have you checked in the device manager to see if there are any conflicts ie yellow or red exclamation marks?
I have seen recommendations to uninstall the video drivers and re-install and also the sound driver
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post #7 of 22
5/3/09 at 6:13pm
Thread Starter 
The video doesn't have time to freeze - the shutdown is instant. The computer turns itself off without a restart. Yes, there is sound associated and both video and sound work perfectly until the shutdown.

As I said before, there are no new drivers available except the Catalyst software, but that's not a driver in itself. Also, the games are way older than the computer anyway...

I guess it must be some kind of hardware error, maybe it's overheating after all...

Thanks for all the posts though, Saugen, I'll be sure to post the solution on here in case I find it - just to reslove the suspense =)
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post #8 of 22
5/3/09 at 6:16pm
doubt it's software. either the cpu or gpu is reaching shutdown temp. clean the heatsink, apply new thermal compound, and also check for corrosion on the copper heatpipe. if the liquid inside has leaked out, that could be the issue.

another common problem is the mainboard screw standoffs break and the heatsink is not actually making contact with the cpu or gpu.
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post #9 of 22
5/3/09 at 6:23pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks Michelle, I did drop the machine once, got the screen replaced, maybe they missed those standoffs.

Thanks both for helping, this is almost like a chat room and not a forum!
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post #10 of 22
12/2/11 at 10:12pm

I have the exact same problem, however it only started when i went to a very hot country and didnt have a usd fan table. i installed a little great app called core temp and could see clearly , YEA! it was overheating and would simply shut off by itself.

I just kept it cool and it worked without any problems. 

Im now i a freezing cold country and it shuts down during any game (typically within the first5-10 mins of the game).

What surprised me the most is that i tried very low requirement games, and even very basic ones that... almost as if it was like an old Atari or Spectrum, back when we had cartredgies or loaded a game with a tape.

Same result, it shuts down. And the temp of both cores, cpu, and max load is miles below any problem. Heat sink and fans are fine.

Im using a 3 month old...new... Aspire 7741G Acer

 

What on earth is going on.

 

I know my way well around computers but im stumped with this problem.

It does not seem to be a hardware issue.

All apps, updates, and anything even running prior to these problems happening have been checked, cleaned out. drivers updated and rolled back. I've tried all I can think of.

Help!!!

 

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post #11 of 22
12/3/11 at 2:50am
Ran Memtest?

cheers ...
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post #12 of 22
12/3/11 at 3:32am
Are you running the original OS and not a wipe and clean install??? Has this issue been from day 1 (purchase of the unit)?? Any conflicts in the device manager..If the OS has not been tampered with, might suggest you also consider contacting Acer for a warranty issue
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post #13 of 22
12/3/11 at 11:35am

FIXED IT.

I've had it a few months and been travelling , was worried it got bumped or something....

read another post about heat sinks and dust which is so often a problem.

I did have time to pick up a dust spray today....

I just blew right into all the vents hoping it would budge anything off a curcuit, a bit of dirt on the heat sink or hair and dust and junk in the fan...

I also reduced system properties to "performance" all the windows display settings to minimal - the 3d, beveled windows etc etc.

so now it looks like XP

Set the Power options to high performance when plugged in and battery.

Changed Data Execution protection to "turn on DEP for windows essential programs and services only"

 

Soething fixed it. All games, simple and ones that supposed to be just ordering on what my Acer Aspire is capable to handle all work without any problems now.

 

times to eliminate them one by one.

 

and no overheating. at all - barely moved.no matter what game i run and for how long. and thats without any additional table desk fans.

 

thought i'd leave these options here to try out if anyone else comes across the same problem.

 

thanks all the same, and good luck to u all

 

 

 

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post #14 of 22
12/3/11 at 12:20pm
thumbup.gif Thanks for the feedback

cheers ...
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post #15 of 22
4/9/12 at 5:02am

hi guyss i have a problem . wen ever iam playin games my laptop shut downsss and its not opening fr 10min . windows 7 , i3, 4gb RAM, 1gb graphic card, plzzz guysss help me !!!!

 

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post #16 of 22
4/9/12 at 6:11am
Did you try the cleaning up and using a notebook cooler as suggested in above posts?

cheers ...
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post #17 of 22
4/9/12 at 6:57am
Quote:
Originally Posted by qhn View Post

Did you try the cleaning up and using a notebook cooler as suggested in above posts?
cheers ...

yeahthat.gif: Tear it down and clean the heat sinks and fans. That will almost certainly work, and a cooler pad will go a long way toward prolonging the life of your components.
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post #18 of 22
4/9/12 at 7:18am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Smart Pramod View Post

hi guyss i have a problem . wen ever iam playin games my laptop shut downsss and its not opening fr 10min . windows 7 , i3, 4gb RAM, 1gb graphic card, plzzz guysss help me !!!!

If you are using it on your lap, you are blocking the vents and its overheating.....are you also running an uptodate antivirus program????
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post #19 of 22
7/7/12 at 10:05pm

I am facing this same problem whenever i play games such as sims 3 or assasins creed on my laptop and after 15 minutes it shuts down automatically. i tried it on hard surface like tiles but still after 10-15 minuted its shutting down automatically . please help

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post #20 of 22
7/8/12 at 2:37am
Quote:
Originally Posted by amitkotkar View Post

I am facing this same problem whenever i play games such as sims 3 or assasins creed on my laptop and after 15 minutes it shuts down automatically. i tried it on hard surface like tiles but still after 10-15 minuted its shutting down automatically . please help

Tried any recommendations from the above posts?

cheers ...
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