Laptop starts up then shuts down

[Dagurl92]

Hello -

My laptop starts up then shuts off during start up. Sometimes it reaches the login screen - then shuts down after a few minutes. (max 10 minutes).

I would greatly appreciated help on this matter!


ps seems to have no issue starting up in Safe Mode if the laptop starts up long enough for me to change it to safe mode.

 

[MilesAhead]

Do you have another battery you can try? Maybe it's just not holding charge. I think that could even effect how it runs plugged in.

 

[Patonb]

If it's working in safe mode, it's a driver issue. You'll need to slowly add things to your start ups and do trial and error till you don't boot right.

 

[Dagurl92]

Hello and thank you both VERY much for your replies!
Okay I think it is both a hardware AND software issue (since the battery slot is a bit loose and the laptop only works when connected to power) - don't judge it is a very old laptop and dug it out lol
Also when first logging in into the admin account it completely freezes up on the first activity you do. - even the mouse does not move. In the guest account no issue starts up just fine (a little slow but does not freeze up)

Any help would be highly appreciated!

 

[Patonb]

Try doing this:
Perform a clean startup to determine whether background programs are interfering with your game or program

 

[MilesAhead]

If it is getting freeze ups after 10 minutes every time that happened to me it was bad hardware. For me it was usually a cheap network card. It would boot and run fine, for 10 minutes. Replaced it with a 3Com and I was in business.

So assuming for the moment that's true, there may be something that is brought into play when logging in to the usual account that is not invoked as guest. Don't know what that would be though.

Edit: process of elimination may help. For instance if you have an optical drive, disable in device manager and see if you can stay logged in to the normal account. Likewise with other devices.

Edit2: I would try the clean startup first as you may get an indication. Process of elimination is time consuming so a last resort.

 

[Dagurl92]

Hello - thanks again for your advice!

I am no longer able to start up my laptop safe mode or normal - I get this message: The installed program cannot start. Click OK to turn off the computer. Is there any way I can back up the files in as I saw I had a lot of pictures I would like to keep (before the laptop got all aggressive and won't allow access anymore!) I had been trying to back it up while I had access but it completely freezes every time I tried to transfer from laptop to Ext HARD disk.

Any ideas?

 

[Patonb]

You can use a live cd of Ubuntu. Burn to a disk, boot it, then copy to a usb or network drive.

Watch this to find out how.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iK0wln8NIkg

 

[Dagurl92]

You can use a live cd of Ubuntu. Burn to a disk, boot it, then copy to a usb or network drive.

Watch this to find out how.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iK0wln8NIkg

Hello Patonb, will this allow me to back up my files into an external hard drive? or will I have no access to them when I boot from Ubuntu?

Thanks

 

[Dagurl92]

Hello - I tried to boot from my bootable USB in which I burned the Ubuntu software into but it does not boot from USB instead goes to a screen with two choices after selecting boot from USB - 1. System Repair or 2. Start windows normally of which both choices result in this message: The installed program cannot start. Click OK to turn off the computer.

 

[MilesAhead]

It sounds like the way to back up would be to pull the HD and put it in a docking station or enclosure. Then use a PC to copy to an external or docked drive etc.. Unless you have access to a PC with an eSata port. I think USB docking stations these days, even for USB 3.0 are only around $20. It shouldn't go obsolete until USB 3.1 becomes common.

 

[Dagurl92]

Milesahead -

booting from CD works though - how do I ensure that the USB is bootable?

I used cmd to create a partition and make it bootable. Then used a program called ISO to USB to burn the Ubuntu program into USB.

What did I do wrong that the laptop refuses to boot from USB?

 

[Patonb]

Depending on how old the laptop is, it might not like booting to usb.

if you can boot to Ubuntu by cd, do that.

Then yes, after just connect a external and go.

What is your laptop model?

 

[Dagurl92]

Ok -my blank CD-R do not have enough space to burn Ubuntu on. Will need to purchase another one tommorrow. How much space is needed to burn Ubuntu on a CD as it took up about 1 gb on the USB.

The laptop is a Toshiba Satellite; the model number is a bit faded out but from what I can make out it is: PSL0E- 06R02S4

 

[Patonb]

That number isn't a model number, maybe try looking on the lid for p50, or c60

 

[MilesAhead]

It's probably worth giving Rufus or one of the other USB boot creators a try
Rufus Trusted Freeware download and reviews - SnapFiles.com

 

[Dagurl92]

Did not find any of the letters/numbers anywhere. However this is all that is left (very unclear). Milesahead thanks and I will check out the link now.

 

[Dagurl92]

MilesAhead- downloaded the Rufus program - which selections should I make with regards to creating a bootable usb or should I leave as is?

Regards

 

[Patonb]

The model is right after "Satilite, I think it says D80...

 

[MilesAhead]

MilesAhead- downloaded the Rufus program - which selections should I make with regards to creating a bootable usb or should I leave as is?

Regards

I would use the MBR settings as shown in the screen shot
Rufus - Create bootable USB drives the easy way

but there is a FAQ on the page also. My Laptop is W8 so I took the easy way out and made a boot USB using Macrium Reflect and WinPE since W8 is UEFI and GPT not MBR.