"unstable" laptop freezes / crashes everyday

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slowcoach

33 posts

Geek

#136572 2-Dec-2013 12:49

Hi there

Just bought an HP Envy TS-15 with Windows 8 pre installed. Purchased Office 2013 and downloaded according to instructions. Also activated the Norton's one month free trial.

Then this error message keeps popping up "Catalyst Control Centre has stopped working". So send error report and nothing happens to fix it. keeps on getting the error message, almost everyday.

Then laptop starts going slow, then freezes, everyday, or every other day, and have to crash out of the programs.

Managed to find "activities report" in Control Panel, which showed that there were between one to three "failures" each time, I presume these failures occur every time the laptop freezes.

Have done checks on the hardware, and showed everything working fine.

Have defragged the files, no improvement on the freezing.

Ran some PC check programs and the results came back as "unstable rating - moderate". Then to fix the problems there is annual subscription of USD$$$

I did not expect a new computer to be "unstable". Can anyone tell me what this means?

thanks
Slowcoach

xpd

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#944060 2-Dec-2013 12:59

Could be dodgy memory - download MemTest and run that.

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

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timmmay

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#944068 2-Dec-2013 13:11

MemTestx86 - free ISO.

Take off Catalyst, see if that helps stability. Update your drivers from manufacturer websites.

If none of that helps, return it for refund.

slowcoach

33 posts

Geek

#944247 2-Dec-2013 16:56

Thanks for the prompt replies, guys.

That's why I love the Geekzone forums, always get a reply straight away.

And you all know what I am talking about, unlike some so call "technical" staff at the computer retail stores!

Now the computer refuse to connect to the broadband modem, and tells me to restart the modem.

I think the advice to return the laptop is a sound one. Very disappointed.

DrDee

269 posts

Ultimate Geek

#944252 2-Dec-2013 17:04

"Ran some PC check programs and the results came back as "unstable rating - moderate". Then to fix the problems there is annual subscription of USD$$$ "

Sounds like you have installed some malware right there. You really need to run Malwarebytes now to remove the "PC check program", no legitimate program is going to tell you there is a problem and you need to pay to fix it. it is probably the cause of your connectivity problem as well.

Catalyst software is for AMD graphics card and if you go here: http://support.amd.com/en-us/download
There is a link to automatically detect and install the latest drivers.
Graphics drivers are released almost monthly and some are stable and some are not, but 90% of the time upgrading them will fix the problem.

jonb

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#944255 2-Dec-2013 17:08

I get the Catalyst Control Centre message everytime I restart my 5yr old HP laptop, I don't think it causes any other problems other than being annoying. The freezing and slowing down problem will be unrelated I think.

Be very careful when installing PC health checker type software from the internet, a lot of them are malware and can actively damage your PC in order to then pay to 'fix' it.

Try a factory reset, and if that doesn't do anything then return it.

Batman

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#944266 2-Dec-2013 17:35

if it's new return it. don't bother with anything else

slowcoach

33 posts

Geek

#944318 2-Dec-2013 19:06

good advice, joker 97.

think that's what I'll do.

at least I can use the others' advice and try things should the same situation arises in future.

Thanks everyone