Acer Aspire laptop problems

[timbo2410]

Hi all, I got an Acer Aspire for my daughter a few years ago and she is having problems with it slowing down and giving a "not responding" error ... I'm trying to sort it out for her long distance so can anybody give me a hint as to what might be the problem. She's running Vista. The HDD is not full (39 Gig left), it's been defraged (but it takes ages to do) ... any hints on what to check are most welcome

 

[Jstn7477]

Download HDTune Pro Trial and verify the HDD is in full working order. If it's locking up a lot with the HDD light on, the HDD could be dying. If it turns out okay, then I would probably look into making sure all updates and service packs are installed, or possibly reformatting Vista. Unfortunately, Vista is terribly sluggish so it may not get much better though.

 

[timbo2410]

Apparently it's been getting worse and worse ... and if my daughter can notice it then it must be bad (hehehehe), I thought it might have been overheating or something due to a fan failure or something similar. I've made sure she runs it on a flat hard surface (not on the bed, pillow, carpet, grass etc etc )

 

[Jstn7477]

Oh yes, I forgot to mention that you should definitely run some canned air or an air compressor through the vents with the laptop off, as any laptop will build up dust even when used on hard clean surfaces. Even my laptop gets clogged up in just a few months of use.

 

[timbo2410]

ok will do, I'm trying to find a way for my daughter to check the HDD for errors. I don't think she is able to work out HD Tune ... is there a way of checking running temperatures and what the maximum should be ?

 

[Jstn7477]

CPUID HWMonitor should be able to check the temperatures. If the CPU is idling at around 60-85 degrees centigrade then there is definitely a problem. Let us know what the CPU temps are.

Also, HD Tune is super easy to use. Just install the Pro trial, launch it, and click on the "health" tab. If there are yellow or red lines then the HDD could be failing, but tell us which lines are yellow or red first.

 

[timbo2410]

ok I'm emailing her right now. This may take a while so don't expect me to reply tonight. Thanks for your help everybody

 

[Jstn7477]

Okay, let us know what you've found.

 

[timbo2410]

Ok here is the update. My daughters laptop is slow to the point where internet access is impossible. It's the same with her word proccessor. I got her to start up task manager and she said that the cpu usage was going from 15 to 100 percent on a continuous basis. Her cooling fan is slowing and then speeding up as a result. I got her to do a start up in safe mode (hard to do over the phone I can tell you). The ramping up and down of the cpu stoped and she said there was an immediate change in speed (faster). So I think this counts out a physical problem doesn't it? It now must be software based ?? I wanted her to download those programs above but in safe mode she doesn't have internet access. Any further hints welcome

 

[Jstn7477]

Could be malware if it runs significantly better in safe mode. There is an option to run "Safe Mode with Networking" where you can download stuff in Safe Mode and such. Is there any anti-virus software installed, and is it up to date?

 

[micropage7]

i think if the hdd is ok. your laptop got some malware
try ctrl alt del or run regedit or check by using process explorer if you cant run task manager or regedit or you find unnormal process maybe you got malware on that

 

[ThE_MaD_ShOt]

Those aspire 5515 are know for the cpu fans being flaky. I have one and well it has been striped of mobile computing duties and now lives it's life in a pasture in my crunching farm. It's a good little producer though.

Back on point. Maybe see if she has a friend that has a antivirus program she can run on it.

 

[timbo2410]

She's got Kaspersky 2011 suite the same as me and there have been no errors. She downloaded CCleaner last night and ran it but I've not heard back from her today to see what the result was. She had to download in safe mode though. When I hear something I'll post again. Thanks for the help so far

 

[timbo2410]

Ok, my daughter has managed to get CCleaner to clear all unwanted files. She did a reboot in safe mode and everything went back to normal (and fast). As soon as she started normally the computer slowed down and cpu/memory usage went up. She started task manager and found that Kaspersky anti virus was using the most. I got her to turn it off and hey presto, everything is running fine. Although now she can't get back on the net until she gets a new anti virus program. I'm getting her to install HP Tune tonight and run it so I can give you figures tomorrow. So stay tuned.

 

[overclocker]

Download Microsoft security essentials, it the best antivirus out there and its free. all antivirus programs slow down computers BTW.

 

[lebre1978]

acer aspire 5735 problem

Hello, i'm having a problem with an acer laptop
The lcd screen is broken, completely cracked, but it doesn't even power up.
I know that I will be needing a replacement screen
But why is it not powering up?
Really need a answer quickly, because the laptop is from a friend of mine

 

[Peter1986C]

Please do not hijack topics but start your own.
Your question is easy to answer, though. That friend probaly has trown it off the table or so.

 

[lebre1978]

acer aspire 5735

Yes it was. But why is it not powering up. Or better off it powers up for a few seconds then it turns itself off.
Can anyone tell me whats wrong?

 

[Peter1986C]

Either the HDD is dead or the motherboard is kaput

And once again, start a new topic and do not go on hijacking an older one.

 

[erocker]

Please do not hijack topics but start your own.

I don't see the issue. It's an old thread and the previous discussion is no longer taking place.

 

[Peter1986C]

I see. Okay then. You are the booss in this section.