I recently bought a laptop second hand (Toshiba Equium A60) and it has so far happened 3 times that it would just switch off, without me doing anything, just in the middle of an application, that's not related to a particular programme (happened while being on the Internet, in photoshop and in word), has anybody got an idea why this happens and what I can do?? I have noticed that the laptop gets quite hot, can it actually overheat?

forgotten to mention, that it does not run a check when I restart the computer after it has crashed, so it seems the laptop is not recognising an error. - ??

Are you using it on a flat solid surface or have you got it on the quilt or carpet or your legs? it needs to be on a solid surface for ventilation purposes. Also the fans could be clogged up, did the old owner have cats or dogs? You need to check the fans are not full of crap and run it on a solid surface. It sounds like it's overheating.

Does it do it when on battery power, mains or both?

Laptops do run hot. There's a lot in a little box!

it does not run a check when I restart the computer after it has crashed, so it seems the laptop is not recognising an error. - ??What operating system does it run? XP doesn't usually perform the old '98-style disk scan after a crash, so that may not be an error.
If it IS XP: open system properties control panel, advanced tab, system startup settings button, uncheck "automatically restart" and you'll get the BSOD with an error message, which might help.

Toshiba's seem to have a problem with heat. Give the fans and vents a good sucking out with an hoover, and always use it on a flat surface.

heat is the most likely cause of the problem, mine does that sometimes.

if it carries on try buying a 'laptop cooling tray', can get em from staples, places like that, they work a treat.

Toshiba's seem to have a problem with heat. Give the fans and vents a good sucking out with an hoover, and always use it on a flat surface.

I second this.

If it continues to happen after you have cleaned the fan vents, you need to replace the fans.

buying a cooling tray is a cheap way of sorting it.

avoid having a go at the fans, unless you know what your doing, or have a techy mate who can help. if you got the cash to get it done properly i suggest CBC in sheffield, they are authorised toshiba repair specialists.

Hi, thanks for replies, I had a look as well on the Toshiba forum and it seems to be a very common problem in Toshiba laptops with overheating. I have tried hoovering and hasn't crashed again since then, but didn't use it for very long.
Johnbradley, What is a cooling tray and where do I get it from?

42fta: it runs on XP

Gabbleratscht: It does in when it runs on mains, I have not actually used the battery just yet.

neeeeeeeeeeek: Actually, it is stood on a table with a cloth on, which I will remove straight away!!

THANKS.

its a tray-like thing which you sit the laptop on, and it blasts cold air underneath it, cooling the machine down. they are pretty common-place,

i can order one in for you at my shop if you like, takes a couple of working days to get in, be about £30-35. If you go to Staples/Office World or PC World they probably have them for a bit less but the lad/ladette you get might not know what your on about!

Maplins up in town might also be a good bet, they probably have them in stock for about £30ish too.

Then again, if you can be assed to check out the internet places you could probably get one dead cheap, but it might take ages to deliver!!

if you want one from the shop give us a call: 01142687999

cheers

Hi Nickel

was asking about the battery thing as it may be a bad connection.

If you're on mains, the others here are probablly right. Heat.

I have a Tosh, and has done me well for a couple of years without fault, but it does get hot!

I threw my Sony out of a window.

Stick with it ;)