wrote in message
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I also have a 5 years old Compaq Presario 2140CA laptop. I tried to
use System Recovery CDs to reinstll it completely to original
manufacturer standards but the problem is that it just shuts down in
the middle of the recovery or reinstalling process. Previously it just
shuts down if I play a video or heavy software for 30 minutes or used
it normally for a few hours.

Right now, as it just shut down many times while I tried to use the
Recovery CDs, nothing is on the computer, not even an operating
system.

I guess some piece of hardware, maybe fan?

If you turn it off and do NOT even try to install anything, does it still
turn itself off after a while ? If so, it's probably heat related. Before
going too far into troubleshooting, and you check to check that no vents
are blocked, to see if a bad/slow fan internally, use a portable fan to
blow on it and try again - OK now ? Or still powers off ? Can you see the
fan turning just before it powers off ? ( some fans do not spin all the
time - may be only when needed )

If now OK with external fan, then it IS a circulation problem. Hook up the
hose on your portable vacuum cleaner and vacuum any vents, then hook up
the hose to BLOW out the air and go around the PC again. Power back up.

The other problem the compaq laptop had is that its ethernet modem
does not work. It just stopped working, I tried all the methods and
called with DSL service company's support line and did all the things
they suggested. The computer did not talk with the DSL modem (from the
DSL company) when I type 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1. All my other
computers connect perfectly to Internet through the same DSL modem.

Sorry I am not a tech person. Hope you understand and appreciate
helps.


Sounds like this issue not a problem right now. Is this the same PC ? You
did not mention : XP ? Win98 ? The network card IS enabled ? what status
does "PROPERTIES" show ? Any firewall / software installed ?
start-run- 'cmd' (or "command"), then type "ping 127.0.0.1": it should
echo back to you 4 times = internal network OK.