Laptop problems

[ruthie]

Our Toshiba laptop (bought 7 months ago) had given us trouble-free operation until about a week ago. Since then we have been experiencing at least one of the following problems on a daily basis:-
1) failure to start up properly - typically nothing happens when desktop icons clicked
2) failure to shut down eg shutdown screen stays on "indefinitely"
3) Internet Explorer (we have version 8) crashes

Since all these problems started at approximately the same time I am wondering if there is a common cause.

Anybody any ideas, please?

[ruthie]

I thought I had explained everything and then my husband decided to put his 6penn'orth in and this is the result!

[AlBags]

Switch off System restore and do a full AV Scan.
Check all updates applied from MS.
Full clean up of Temp folders and Temp Internet files ..
Use something like CC Cleaner
Check all background processes and minimalise them. This can be done in MSConfig.
If you have a recovery or installation disc, use that to recover.
Reinstall OS if nothing works.

[AlBags]

None of your symptoms are common with any easy, quick fix.

[ruthie]

Thanks Albags. We'll try what you have suggested and hope that fixes it but I have a feeling that due to the randomness of some of the symptoms we may need to take the laptop back to supplier.

[AlBags]

Good luck with it then! Al.

[wildwood]

Overheating seems to come up quite often with Toshibas. Over 7 months there may have been enough dust buildup around the fan to start interfering.

If none of Albags' suggestions work you may want to open it up carefully or get it cleaned by a techie. If overheating is the problem get a fan cooled base for it and don't use it on your lap (crazy, I know) as that cuts down the circulation underneath.