BleepingComputer.com: pc fuzzes out and shuts down please help

Just recently my laptop is driving me bananas.when turned on it will either boot up,run windows and a minute later the screen will turn different colors or white fuzz and emits a screechy sound like its dying and then shutdown, or it wont even start. When it doesn't start the laptop light goes on for a second but the screen doesn't light up. I have been trying to figure out what the problem is for a few days but i am stumped. It's not a power issue because the power always works. I have tested the heat many times during those few lucky minutes my computer was on and it seemed ok (also it does this even before it has a chance to get hot). Is there any other way to diagnose this without buying new hardware?

I have a Sony Vaio i3 2.40 Ghz. 4 GB DDR3 500 GB hdd Realtek video card

Please Help Me

This post has been edited by hamluis: 30 January 2012 - 08:23 AM
Reason for edit: Moved from Windows 7 to Internal Hardware.

Sounds like a motherboard problem based on your post.

is there any way to find out for certain without purchasing a new mobo? Thank you

Hi

Could be the AC adapter.

Does it happen when it is plugged into the AC adapter?

Does it happen when just being run from the battery?

If it does it for both situations, I'm afraid its probably an onboard power problem which with a Vaio leaves you few cost efficient options.

James

yeah it happens in both situations.
what could have caused this?
Is my only option to buy a new mobo?

Sorry to hear the results.

This is just conjecture but it is probably a bad capacitor(s). That could cause voltages to start to fluctuate causing the symptoms that you described.

Bad electrolytic capacitors fail as fluid in them goes bad or starts to slowly leak. They build up heat which at first happens slowly and then gets faster each time it fails (each time it loses a little more fluid or the fluid breaks down more) until it totally fails for good.

If you want to look for bad capacitors, search images on Google or Bing and see if anyone has posted pics of bad caps on the same motherboard as you have.

I have successfully replaced caps on desktops but never on a laptop

Let us know if you have any success repairing this, especially if it turns out to be a capacitor issue.

James

Thank you guys for your responses,I will look into that James. Funny thing is it somteimes works for an hour or so. Does that make sense if its something which burnt out?

Quote

It would tend to be between previous thermal events that cause certain onboard components becoming faulty/unstable. Did you checked physically for any unusual bulging capacitor? I would also try testing the voltage output of your AC Adapter. Make sure all documents are secured on your external devices.

I just went out to purchase a external HDD. As soon as everything is secured i am going to investigate further
Thank you