hp compaq nx6325 lines on screen

[rocknrollstar]

I have an HP Compaq NX6325 (XP Pro) laptop which has an issue. It loads up fine, and then usually after logging in, I get vertical purple and green lines on the screen, and the it freezes. I have to hold down the power button to shut it down.

I have re-imaged the laptop, and also rebuilt it using the default HP cds.

The laptop is outside of the warrentee period. Just wondering if anyone has any ideas?

Screenshot attached.

Thank you!

[SYNACK]

RAM, run Memtest86+ (bootable cd) on it and it will probably show up some errors. Should hopefully just be a case of replacing the RAM sticks(s) that are toast.

[kmount]

I'd agree with SYNACK start with the RAM.

[rocknrollstar]

THanks- I've done a memtest, with no errors showing having done 1 pass.

Having used the compaq recovery cds to restore xp back to it's initial state, I notice that when I log in as administrator, and it starts to run the software install process, this causes the screen to freeze. (i.e. when you get a new pc, and it installs all the crappy extra software once you are logged in). It can either be a blank light gray screen, or the purple and green lines as shown above.

Does this shed any light on it?

I'm tempted to reinstall xp pro from scratch, but I don't have a copy of xp pro (but obviously have a licence for it). Not sure if this would help though.

Thanks again.

[kmount]

If it POSTS ok and looks fine on the screen but then goes bad at windows launch it might be the graphics card or overheating, or both of course.

Try (and this might sound a bit stupid) leaving it off for a while, and going outside in the freezing cold and turning it on out there and see if it lasts any longer. (or turning it on it's side and blasting it with a cold desk fan to keep the temps down)

It could be heat related if it's actually locking up and if memtest suggests it's not the memory.

I would suggest something like pc check or some bootable media that will stress test your machine but I can't think of any free ones at the mo.

[tmcd35]

This is a known problem with some of the recent HP models. My last place had quite a few of these and this error was common. In fact it seems to come and go for no rhyme or reason. It's probably a dodgy graphics controller or dodgy graphics driver, good luck getting HP to admt it/repair/replace it.

This was the final straw with HP for me and is the reason I'm buying Lenovo here at my new place.

[SYNACK]

Perhaps it is the NVIDIA GPU fault that affected a whole bunch of laptops ( 18 Million Laptops Affected By Faulty Nvidia Graphics Chips? [UPDATED] « The IT Nerd , Nvidia's Stock Bloodbath - Company Admits Faulty Chips - Tom's Hardware) in which case the fault is a known one and a BIOS upgrade should be avalible to slightly aleaviate the symptoms and there may even be a replacment procedure.

It also sounds like it could be the fault of dodgy drivers or settings that are hard coded into the restore cd. It might be an idea to restore the system then boot it into VGA mode or Safe mode to remove the graphics drivers then booting it up normaly and installing the latest ones from the hp site.

[tech-man]

Yes, I had a similar issue and a BIOS update made things better

[rocknrollstar]

Thanks everyone.

Ok, I've check the bios, it was up to date already. I cooled the laptop down using a fan before doing the things below:

Tried to install the latest ati graphics driver in safe mode, didn't like not having latest version of .net.

Rebooted into windows using vga mode. The HP software install process started at around 85% (it always does a bit then freezes). Again it went to a frozen grey screen at about 90%. Temp of underneath didn't seem too bad.

I will try reinstalling an oem version of xp pro, see if that helps.

Thanks again.

[IanT]

Could be the screen, I think there is something called an "Invertor" which is behind the plasic around the screen, disconnect it and reconnect.

[rocknrollstar]

Thanks for everyone's suggestions.

I've reinstalled XP pro from scratch, not using the restore disks. So far so good. I have installed minimal HP drivers etc for the things I need to use (wireless, network, sound etc). Have restarted over and over again, all ok.

The fan often runs, and the underside does get warm, but so far this doesn't seem to have crashed anything. Certainly no hotter than it was when it did crash.

So my findings point to the HP software/default install programs being the issue (albeit not conclusively).

SLightly reluctant to let this laptop out of my sight though

Thanks again.