Laptop freezes randomly

[harryp]

Hi all

I have this problem thats been going on for a few months now and
having tried everything I can think of without any success
I am now hoping that someone will be able to help me.

The details are:
Toshiba Satellite A215-S7472
Running Windows Vista Home Premium
The Display is ATI Radeon HD 2400

I bought my laptop in America about a year ago.
Its been working fine until a few months ago when I did a Windows Update.
That installed Service Pack 1 plus some other optional updates.
Since then every couple of days the laptop freezes, whether I am doing something or not.
Examples when it freezes:
Once it froze when I was playing a card game, once when I was burning a DVD,
a coupe of times while copying data to an external USB HD,
a couple of times while I was doing nothing.
It is very random!
The massage I get is that I need to upgrate the display driver.
I looked everywhere there isn't a new driver available.
There is an article in Microsoft site 'What you should know before you install SP1'.
There is a warning that after installation of SP1 some hardware might not work properly!!
Anyway I have now gone back to where it was when I first bought it.
(Used the Recovery disc) NO Service Pack 1 and the problem is still there.

I look forward to your advice.
Thanks in advance.

[harryp]

Is anybody there????????????

[Sylvander]

1.
(a) puppy-4.2.1-k2.6.25.16-seamonkey.iso (ftp://distro.ibiblio.org/pub/linux/distributions/puppylinux/puppy-4.2.1-k2.6.25.16-seamonkey.iso)
md5sum = 5f9febefd6ce70db1bb2d8538f4e2786
Use the above iso file to make a Puppy Linux "live" CD [RW is good].
Boot that to go to the Puppy desktop.
You will be asked to make suitable hardware configuration choices.
[mouse, keyboard, language, geographic region, choose Xorg video, screen size and color depth (I use 1024x768x24)].

(b) If there is no sign of the problem whilst running Puppy, then it's probably a problem of the Windows environment.
If the problem is still there, then it's probably NOT a problem with the OS environment, but instead is a problem of either the BIOS [configurations, or faulty CMOS battery?], or the hardware.

[harryp]

Thanks for your reply m8.
Although I know a bit about Laptops and Windows, I know nothing about Linux.
I was expecting a simpler answer like check this or that.

I intend to take it to a shop to check it out.

For info I did ran it in safe mode for a day and didn't crash but that doesn't mean anything because the problem is intermittent.
Sometimes it happens twice a day and sometimes it doesn't for a couple of days.

Thanks again for the help
Cheers

[Sylvander]

1. "Although I know a bit about...Windows, I know nothing about Linux"
A short time back I was in the same position.
ErnieK suggested I give Puppy a try, and it was the 1st Linux distro that actually seemed EASY to use [for a total beginner].
Just like Windows, it has a menu , and you click on icons to do things.
The fact that I knew little to nothing about Linux caused no difficulty.
It works pretty much like Windows except BETTER.
e.g.
(a) Practically NO RISK of infection or being hacked.
I only use a firewall and Noscript in Firefox.
I have Avast antivirus installed so I can scan the Windows partition; it's pretty redundant as far as Puppy goes.

(b) SUPER FAST.
Because it's lean/unbloated/small.

(c) Because it's so small, things are really fast & easy to do.
e.g.
Download is fast.
Burning a CD is fast.
Loading is fast.
Closing is fast.
Running is fast.
Making [and restoring] backups is fast and uses little space.
The evolution of the OS happens really fast, so new features are added all the time.
e.g. Puppy-4.3-final with kernel 2.6.30.5 was released yesterday, and I updated my beta3 copy this morning.
I'm typing this from there right now.
[I typically run 3 different Puppies, and use them to fix each other, and Windows]

[harryp]

Thanks for this Sylvander

I decided to take your advice and give it a go.
Have downloaded the file you specified above.
Can you please advice what this is: md5sum = 5f9febefd6ce70db1bb2d8538f4e2786 ?
I will probably have a go at it over the weekend.
I hope you won't mind if I get back to you with some stupid questions, if I get stuck.

Thanks for your help
Regards harryp

[Sylvander]

1. md5sum
The calculated md5sum value of a file [e.g. ISO file] is unique for any particular content of the file, so that if the file content is changed the value changes.
Hence, if you use a special program to calculate the md5sum of an iso file you have downloaded, and the calculated value matches the correct value, it means the file is as it aught to be, and has not been corrupted in transit.

2. On my Windows system...
I downloaded and installed this FREE WinMD5Sum program (http://www.nullriver.com/downloads/Install-winMd5Sum.exe) got from HERE (http://www.nullriver.com/products/winmd5sum).
Once installed it's really easy to use.
If I remember right, you just right-click on the file you wish to check and it calculates the value and displays it in the 1st box.
Then you copy & paste the correct value into the 2nd box and click the "Compare" button.

3. Puppy has a number of methods for checking md5sum values, all simple to do.
One method comes as standard, others need to be installed; I'll explain those later.

4. It's not essential to check the md5sum.
Chances are the ISO file will be uncorrupted anyway.
I've never yet come across a corrupted Puppy ISO file.

[harryp]

Hi Sylvander
I need some help here please.
I downloaded the file and burned it to disc.
The contents of the disc are as follows:

BOOT 2KB Security Catalog
BOOT 1KB Outlook Item
HELP 2KB Outlook Item
INITRD 1259KB WinRAR archive
ISOLINUX 12KB VLC media File (.bin)
ISOLINUX.CFG 1KB CFG File
LOGO.16 94KB 16 File
PUP_421.SFS 99,328KB SFS File
VMLINUZ 1590KB File

I did NOT extract the INITRD compessed file.

I booted my laptop and what I got is this:

Unlzmaing Linux.... done
Booting the kernel.


Then nothing happened. No lights flashing i.e no activity.
Waited 5-10 minutes and then shut it down.

Questions:
From the files on the CD shown above did the burn work OK?
Should I have extracted the RAR file above?
Should I have waited longer for the kernel to load?

Grateful for your comments/advice

Regards harryp

[Sylvander]

Those files are just as they aught to be.

I'm a Puppy newbie, but...
Looks like the Linux kernel on which this puppy version [4.2.1-rc3-k2.6.25.16] is built is unsuitable for your hardware [could be wrong].

How new/old is your PC?
Multi-processors in use?

How about [testing that theory by] trying instead:
This Puppy version 4.3-final [released on Thurs 17th Sept 2009] offered in various kernel versions. (http://www.murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?search_id=154405741&t=46704)
I believe k2.6.30.5 is the latest [supports multi-processors][too recent for my old PC, on which it doesn't work], and may be what's needed for your PC.
k2.6.25.16 is somewhat older, and works fine on my PC.
k2.6.25.16 is the same kernel as was used for the Puppy 4.2.1-rc3 I linked above [and you used?]

[Sylvander]

Announcement and release notes for Puppy Linux 4.3 (http://puppylinux.com/download/release-4.3.htm)

The official download page by Barry Kauler. (http://puppylinux.com/download/)

Main repository here. (ftp://ibiblio.org/pub/linux/distributions/puppylinux/)

Puppy 4.3 repo here. (ftp://ibiblio.org/pub/linux/distributions/puppylinux/puppy-4.3)

pup-430.iso built on k2.6.30.5 (ftp://ibiblio.org/pub/linux/distributions/puppylinux/puppy-4.3/pup-430.iso)

Special Puppy versions of 4.3.0 [430] built on various kernels. (ftp://ibiblio.org/pub/linux/distributions/puppylinux/puppy-4.3/special-puppies/)

You may decide to try the Puppy 430 built on k2.6.25.16 (ftp://ibiblio.org/pub/linux/distributions/puppylinux/puppy-4.3/special-puppies/pup-430-k2.6.25.16.iso)

[harryp]

Thanks m8
I will check it out later today

[Paul Komski]

Since then every couple of days the laptop freezes, whether I am doing something or not.
A common software cause is Malware and this is probably even more likely when the problem was eliminated in Safe Mode. It would also tend to be confirmed if there are no freezes when running any Live CD.

If you think it is a video driver related problem then maybe choose the basevideo option using msconfig (http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c00821579&lc=en&cc=us&dlc=&product=1147610&rule=30).

[harryp]

Hi Sylvander

Managed to boot it at last. Used the latest version.
First impressions are very good.
I will spend a few days playing with it.
I have one concern. How safe is it to surf the net?
Is there an antivirus?

Grateful for your answer/advice

Best Regards

[Sylvander]

1. "How safe is it to surf the net?"
A lot safer than when run a browser within Windows methinks.
I've never heard of anyone who's running a Puppy being hacked or infected.
Still a good idea to install the NoScript add-on [once you install Firefox], and Xmarks to be able to sync your bookmarks between any Firefox on any OS on any PC.

2. "Is there an antivirus?"
(a) Xfprot antivirus normally comes included.
Not sure if its in Puppy 4.3.0; check in the Package Manager if you don't see it in the menu.
Good way to find if its installed is:
Run a terminal window and type the 1st few characters of xfprot [say xfp], and hit the TAB key.
All installed programs beginning with those characters will be displayed.

(b) I installed the FREE for personal use, on-demand scanner = Avast! Antivirus.
That's better than Xfprot.

3. There are lots of goodies in my Puppy Linux thread.
Begin here on the last page (http://www.pcguide.com/vb/showthread.php?t=66929&page=7) and work your way back toward the 1st.
Be sure to install X File Explorer [Xfe] [and the necessary Fox Library] linked here (http://www.pcguide.com/vb/showpost.php?p=412611&postcount=24) [it's on page 1].
Xfe is a brilliant file browser.

4. Does the laptop NOT FREEZE with Puppy running?

[Paul Komski]

I've never heard of anyone who's running a Puppy being hacked or infected.
Your system is VERY VERY unlikely to be infected with viruses or spyware when running any Linux "distro" even in the absence of any antivirus or software firewall being installed. Being hacked (unauthorised entry being gained by a physical person) is a different thing altogether and is probably actually more likely with Puppy than other distros since it always runs as root and a password is not required to log on.

The only real reason to run an antivirus from Linux is to clean up Windows installations.

Linux and Hacking (http://www.google.ie/#hl=en&source=hp&q=hack+linux&btnG=Google+Search&meta=&aq=f&oq=hack+linux&fp=42337e2010da81cf).

[harryp]

OK. I have been running Puppy for most of yesterday without problems.
Last night moved into Windows and within an hour my Laptop froze.
I know the problem is intermittent so this doesn't mean much yet.
I will do this for another day or two to see what happens.
In the meantime, if this is the case, what does it mean.
Do I assume it is not a H/W problem.
And if it is a S/W problem how to I fix it?

Regards

[Paul Komski]

If it is an intrinsic Windows software problem then it probably falls into one of the following areas:
1. Malware (for which you might want to try this advice (http://www.pcguide.com/vb/showthread.php?t=60009)).
2. Innapropriate or outdated drivers (for which you might try updating on-line if possible) and ensure there are no problem devices in Device Manager.
3. Corrupt File System possibly caused by underlying bad sectors on the hard drive (for which check the hard drive with HDTune (http://www.google.ie/url?sa=t&source=web&ct=res&cd=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hdtune.com%2F&ei=7na4SoXQG47bjQf1tOD7BQ&rct=j&q=hdtune&usg=AFQjCNHDsml17Z8dgUONsUWOQfc0L6mPGg&sig2=3yYW1oEw1DuVmjhr6b2fqQ) but also run chkdsk X: /R from a command prompt and allow a reboot if requested to run it in order to attempt to correct things. (X obviously is the drive in question).

More drastically you might want to try to Repair the OS using the Vista DVD or do a new clean installation after backing-up any important data.

PS
Forgot about your following earlier quote:
Anyway I have now gone back to where it was when I first bought it.
(Used the Recovery disc) NO Service Pack 1 and the problem is still there.

Was this a brand new clean installation? If not then that is always the advisable thing to do; clean is clean with no OEM bundled software installed. If it is still intermittently freezing with a clean installation then I would worry about poor or failing hard drive or memory and even - probably less likely - overheating.

[harryp]

OK. I ran chkdsk and also cheked the hard drive using HDTune.
Found no problems.
As stated above a clean install might be needed. So I will leave it for a few days
playing around with puppy and then have a go to do a clean install.

Thanks for all the help.