My Compaq CQ61 laptop freezes a few minutes after boot up

[Geoff-123]

Freezes minutes after boot up

[Alden4]

Hi @Geoff-123,

Welcome to HP Support Community.

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.

If your Compaq CQ61 laptop freezes a few minutes after booting up, there are several potential causes to investigate. Here are some troubleshooting steps you can follow.

Boot into Safe Mode

• Boot your laptop in Safe Mode to see if the issue persists. If the laptop works fine in Safe Mode, it's likely a software or driver-related issue.
  • To enter Safe Mode, restart your computer and press F8 before Windows starts to load. Select Safe Mode from the options.

Check for Overheating

• Overheating can cause the system to freeze. Ensure that the cooling fan is working properly and that vents are not blocked.
• Use software tools to monitor the temperature of the CPU. If the laptop is overheating, clean the fan and vents or replace thermal paste on the CPU.

Run a Memory Test

• Faulty RAM could be causing the freeze. Run a memory diagnostic test to check for any issues with the RAM.
  • Type Windows Memory Diagnostic in the search bar and run the tool.

Update Drivers and Windows

• Outdated or corrupt drivers can cause freezing issues.
  • Check for updates for your graphics card, chipset, and other critical drivers from the Device Manager.
  • Make sure that Windows is up-to-date by going to Settings > Update & Security.

Check Hard Drive Health

• A failing hard drive can lead to freezes. Use a tool like CrystalDiskInfo to check the health of your hard drive.

Disable Startup Programs

• Excessive startup programs can slow down your laptop and lead to freezes. Disable unnecessary startup programs by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager and going to the Startup tab. Disable unneeded applications.

[Alden4]

Check Event Viewer

• If you’re experiencing a software issue, the Event Viewer might give you clues about what's causing the freeze.
  • Press Windows + X and select Event Viewer. Check under Windows Logs > System and Application for any error messages.

Perform System Restore

• If the laptop was working fine previously, consider performing a system restore to revert to a stable state.
  • Type System Restore in the search bar, follow the prompts to restore the system to a point before the freezing began.

Perform a Clean Boot

• A clean boot can help eliminate software conflicts that could be causing the issue.
  • Press Windows + R, type msconfig, and press Enter. Under the Services tab, check Hide all Microsoft services and then click Disable All. Under the Startup tab, disable all startup items. Restart the laptop and check if it still freezes.

Reinstall Windows

• If none of the above works, a fresh installation of Windows may be necessary. This can help rule out any software issues, but be sure to back up your data first.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

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Alden4

HP Support