A question for you PC techs
 

I upgraded a dell laptop 830 from windows xp to windows 7 pro. I have the newest version of google browser and also windows ie. When I use either one of the browsers the computer frequently clicks and then abruptly shuts down. I installed a 3rd browser and it does the same thing with it. It never ever did this using windows XP so I am pretty sure that it has to do with something unique to windows 7 pro or the updates I had to do once I installed it. I have long ago updated my HP desk top to windows 7 ultimate and it has never had this abrupt shutdown problem which also makes me think that it is something unique to windows 7 pro.

I can sometimes be online as little as a minute or even an hour or more but at some point it will abruptly shut down when using any of the three browsers. It definitely is not a heating problem and I have the power plan set to never shut down on battery and on plugged in. I have done a google search but have yet to find a solution.

If anyone here has a solution or an idea I would appreaciate it. I have been working the problem for a couple of days now with no luck.

Try starting the computer in safe mode with networking and see if the browsers still crash it. Maybe an incompatible driver.

Could be a graphics card driver issue. Try to update it.

As a workaround/test, try to disable hardware acceleration for graphics in the browsers.

How to Turn Off Hardware Acceleration in Google Chrome - Solve Your Tech

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1075185

I use a program called reimage repair. It will tell you what program is crashing your system. Likely its one of those obscure programs that run in the backround. The browser itself is unlikely the direct cause.

Good luck.

:2 cents:

All of the browsers appear to work fine in safemode. Still working the problem and trying to find a fix. All drivers have been updated so do not know if there is an incompatible driver or not.

Lets start with basics, first look Event Viewer and that time when it crashed.

Open CMD and type: driverquery /v
if you suspect that it is a driver error.

Open start menu, and enter dxdiag into the search box and run the tool.
This tool is used to collect info about devices to help troubleshoot problems with DirectX sound and video.

I think I have finally run the problem down. I went thru the update history and found an update that stood out from all of the others as it was just a set of letters and numbers. I wrote them down on a post it, which I now cannot locate.

I removed that update and the browsers now seem not to be shutting the computer down. I am running updates again to see if it once again brings that same update forward to install. If it does or I can find the damn post it note that I wrote it down on, I will see what google has to say about that specific update, if anything.

I have had updates mess up one or more computers over the years so I usually install them one at a time and try the computer with the new update before moving on to installing the next update. Time consuming and that is why I didn't do it when I installed the new OS as there was a ton of updates.

xp -> win7, how old is the laptop? 10yrs?

What does the age of the computer have to do with the upgrade?

Very old hardware simply won't have working drivers for new operating systems. It's not nice, but that's the way it is.
You might have made a good choice with Win7 though, as it's not that far apart from WinXP.

Laptop over 10 years old, trying to get the drivers to work is a waste of time.

All of the drivers have been updated to the best of my knowledge as I updated them myself and also updated the BIO's. Also the problem has been solved and it was not a driver. The Dell 830 was first made around 2007. I do not know when production was stopped. I bought mine refurbished about three or four years ago. Its primary use is to stream movies from my Hulu account to my big screen TV and does a great job of doing that.

Method 1: Start the computer in Safe Mode with networking and perform Clean boot.

Step 1:

Boot the computer in Safe mode with Networking and check if the issue persists. Follow these steps to start the computer in safe mode.
a) Press the ‘Windows + C’ key on the keyboard.
b) Click on settings, more pc settings and then general.
c) Scroll down to advanced startup, click restart now.
d) Click on troubleshoot, advanced options, Windows Startup Settings.
e) Click restart, select safe mode with networking and then press enter.

Note: Restart the computer to start in normal mode.


Step 2:

Place the computer in clean boot and check if the issue persists. You may follow the article mentioned to perform a clean boot.

Perform a Clean Boot

Follow the instructions (Step 1 for Windows 8) given in this link to perform a clean boot:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135

Note: After performing the troubleshooting steps in clean boot, follow these steps to return the computer to Normal startup mode.

a) Press the ‘Windows + R’ key on the keyboard.
b) In the ‘Run’ windows type ’MSCONFIG’ and click ‘Ok’.
c) On the General tab, click the Normal Startup option, and then click ock.
d) When you are prompted to restart the computer, click Restart.

Method 2: Scan the computer for virus.

I would suggest you to scan your computer with Microsoft Safety Scanner, which would help to get rid of viruses, spyware, and other malicious software.

The Microsoft Safety Scanner is a free-to-download security tool that provides on-demand scanning and helps remove viruses, spyware, and other malicious software. It works with your existing antivirus software.

Safety Scanner - Windows Defender Security Intelligence

Note: The Microsoft Safety Scanner expires 10 days after being downloaded. To rerun a scan with the latest anti-malware definitions, download and run the Microsoft Safety Scanner again.

Important: While scanning the hard drive if any bad sectors are found, the scanner tries to repair that sector, any data available on that might be lost.

Method 3: Run the system maintenance troubleshooter

Follow the below link to perform system maintenance troubleshoot

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/w...troubleshooter

You can refer to the link mentioned below for more information.
My computer hangs or freezes when browsing the Internet
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2681286

Check if the issue is resolved.

Final step: Open up a bottle of wine! :)