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Screen shuts off, HDD light off, HDD disengages but computer still running

410 Views 16 Replies 5 Participants Last post by Digerati, 8 mo ago

jramos92

Discussion Starter · 10 mo ago

I have a 12 year old Toshiba A665 laptop with Windows 10. This laptop hasn't given me any problems until recently. I'm just surfing the web, then suddenly the screen shuts off. It does not go black, it just shuts off. If I'm watching a video, its sound continues for 5 seconds until it freezes. Then it goes quiet for another 5 seconds and then the HDD light goes off, the hard drive then makes a sound like its booting up (no weird sounds) and shuts down. But the computer remains on.

This happens randomly, sometimes it happens once every 2 days, once every 10-20 minutes, and every interval in between.
The laptop has good ventilation, but I'm not ruling out some type of overheating or dust inside. I doubt is the hard drive. It could be a corrupt OS file, but I don't know

OS Version: Microsoft Windows 10 Home, 64 bit, Build 19043, Installed 20200913102303.000000-240
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i5 CPU M 450 @ 2.40GHz, Intel64 Family 6 Model 37 Stepping 5, CPU Count: 4
Total Physical RAM: 4 GB
Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M, 1024 MB
Hard Drives: C: 452 GB (128 GB Free);
Motherboard: TOSHIBA NWQAA, ver 1.00, s/n 123456789AB
System: TOSHIBA, ver TOSCPL - 74, s/n 7A389209K
Antivirus: Norton 360 Premier, Enabled and Updated

1 - 17 of 17 Posts

Digerati

· #2 · 10 mo ago

Not likely the OS.

Coincidently, I just recently replaced my trusty old 12 year old Toshiba A505 with a new MSI laptop. Mine even still had the original battery. The laptop still worked but it just was not meeting my needs anymore.

Your symptoms do suggest possible heat problems. If the case has never been completely opened to expose the full interior for a proper cleaning of all the heat trapping dust, I sure would recommend that. You also need to make sure the fan(s) are spinning properly. Make sure the laptop is stilling on a hard flat surface to allow for air underneath. A self-powered cooling pad might help. I recommend blasting a desk fan from the side across it and see if freezes continue.

That said, 12 years is really good run - but it is time to replace. Too bad Toshiba no longer makes laptops.

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managed

· #3 · 10 mo ago

Can you feel warm air coming out of the vent when running something intense ? If not try blowing compressed canned air into the vent.
If that does not help sometimes the heatsink 'grill' between the fan and vent to the outside can get clogged with dust and hair, this tutorial shows how to dismantle the A650 series laptops if you want to try cleaning it yourself :- http://www.irisvista.com/tech/laptops/Toshiba-Satellite-A665-A660/laptop-disassembly-1.htm
Go to Step #20 to remove te fan then blow out the heatsink.

jramos92

Discussion Starter · #4 · 10 mo ago

The laptop is well ventilated, but my surroundings are indeed dusty. I haven't opened it yet. But what would you say if it isn't the dust and heat. I've checked, and many times the laptop is NOT hot when it shuts down

jramos92

Discussion Starter · #5 · 9 mo ago

I have a 12 year old Toshiba A665 laptop with Windows 10. This laptop hasn't given me any problems until recently. I'm just surfing the web, then suddenly the screen shuts off. It does not go black, it just shuts off. If I'm watching a video, its sound continues for 5 seconds until it freezes. Then it goes quiet for another 5 seconds and then the HDD light goes off, the hard drive then makes a sound like its booting up (no weird sounds) and shuts down. But the computer remains on.

This happens randomly, sometimes it happens once every 2 days, once every 10-20 minutes, and every interval in between.
The laptop has good ventilation, no dust.

Want to hear theories on cause and or fix

OS Version: Microsoft Windows 10 Home, 64 bit, Build 19043, Installed 20200913102303.000000-240
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i5 CPU M 450 @ 2.40GHz, Intel64 Family 6 Model 37 Stepping 5, CPU Count: 4
Total Physical RAM: 4 GB
Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M, 1024 MB
Hard Drives: C: 452 GB (128 GB Free);
Motherboard: TOSHIBA NWQAA, ver 1.00, s/n 123456789AB
System: TOSHIBA, ver TOSCPL - 74, s/n 7A389209K
Antivirus: Norton 360 Premier, Enabled and Updated

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Digerati

· #6 · 9 mo ago

12 years for a laptop is a very good run. Just keep that in mind.

Are the battery and charger original? Have you tried running on charger only - battery removed?

flavallee

· #7 · 9 mo ago

There is a dash and additional characters after A665 that comprises the complete model number of your 12-year old Toshiba Satellite A665 series laptop.
What is the complete model number on yours?

Also, what is the exact Windows version on its Certificate-Of-Authenticity sticker?

jramos92

Discussion Starter · #8 · 9 mo ago

Digerati said:
12 years for a laptop is a very good run. Just keep that in mind.

Are the battery and charger original? Have you tried running on charger only - battery removed?

There’s no battery. The original charger failed some time ago. I got an off market charger that supposedly outputs more current. The charger is from a Toshiba computer but not the same model. Additionally, i’m thinking that my problem occurs when connected to the internet. Right now I’m testing it without connecting to see if the shutdown happens but I’m not betting on it as I’ve mentioned, the computer can work sometimes a day or two connected to the net without problems

jramos92

Discussion Starter · #9 · 9 mo ago

flavallee said:
There is a dash and additional characters after A665 that comprises the complete model number of your 12-year old Toshiba Satellite A665 series laptop.
What is the complete model number on yours?

Also, what is the exact Windows version on its Certificate-Of-Authenticity sticker?

A665-S6067
My windows 10 was downloaded when it came out, so I don’t know where to find it

Digerati

· #10 · 9 mo ago

I got an off market charger that supposedly outputs more current. The charger is from a Toshiba computer but not the same model.

As long as the voltage, connector, and polarity are the same, a higher current capability is fine.

I probably would still try a different - compatible - charger, if possible. In the meantime, I would be looking for a new Christmas present for myself.

jramos92

Discussion Starter · #11 · 9 mo ago

Digerati said:
As long as the voltage, connector, and polarity are the same, a higher current capability is fine.

I probably would still try a different - compatible - charger, if possible. In the meantime, I would be looking for a new Christmas present for myself.

Now thinking back, the problem began before I replaced the charger. The problem was the reason i changed it. Do you think it’s because of how old the computer is. Maybe some part of the hardware gave out

flavallee

· #12 · 9 mo ago (Edited)

A665-S6067
My windows 10 was downloaded when it came out, so I don’t know where to find it

Your model laptop originally came with the following:
Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
4 GB DDR3 RAM
500 GB SATA 5400 RPM hard disk drive
90W (19V, 4.74A) power adapter
6-cell 47Wh Lithium-ion battery

Considering how old your laptop is, it is my guess it has one or more hardware issues.
Repairing it or replacing any of its parts would cost you more than what it is worth.
It would probably be of better use as a doorstop or a paperweight.

Couriant

· #13 · 9 mo ago

Just for reference, I have merged two threads together as it is for the same issue.

@jramos92 - please ensure you use the same thread for the same issue. If you have any issues with the original thread (i.e. it was automatically closed due to inactivity) then please use the report button.

Thank you!

Couriant

· #14 · 9 mo ago

I too suspect that it's showing its age, but since you haven't had a clean install of Windows since 2020, maybe try a clean install of Windows (back up your data first!) and see if that helps.

jramos92

Discussion Starter · #15 · 8 mo ago

Digerati said:
As long as the voltage, connector, and polarity are the same, a higher current capability is fine.

I probably would still try a different - compatible - charger, if possible. In the meantime, I would be looking for a new Christmas present for myself.

I'm 80% it is the GPU. I've disabled it and its been two days without problems

jramos92

Discussion Starter · #16 · 8 mo ago

Digerati said:
As long as the voltage, connector, and polarity are the same, a higher current capability is fine.

I probably would still try a different - compatible - charger, if possible. In the meantime, I would be looking for a new Christmas present for myself.

100% GPU I’ve bypassed it and no more shutdowns

Digerati

· #17 · 8 mo ago

Thanks for the followup.

1 - 17 of 17 Posts

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