Hi, I'm having a major problem with my laptop. Some time after booting it (not at any particular point, or after any set time but usually before the login screen appears [same with safe mode]) it reboots (usually to a blank screen) usually preceeded with either stripes appearing onscreen or with a blue screen error (the most common are IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL and 0x7 but it varies). A few weeks ago I had a similar problem - which I appeared to solve by replacing one of the sticks of RAM, but as I get this even if I try running it with only one stick of RAM (either of the ones that had been working) I'm thinking it may be a problem with the RAM seating... I've tried getting support from the HP website, but it appears to deny that my laptop - a Presario 2548EA - even exists... it has various other 2548's listed but not the 2548EA...

HP along with many other well-known makes, have a great way of telling you that they never ever made that model of laptop. Its a blooming nightmare. However, did this start happening after you installed any hardware, maybe a USB Hub or a USB device? First thing I would do is, back up all the hard-drive, even go as far as creating a image, I use Driveimage, by Powerquest. I would then disconnect anything that is not sealed into the laptop, external writer, any cards, external Hard drives, printers, ect ect. Then do a shut down. If this is still happening, I would format and install a fresh copy of XP/OS. For the record this error is very vague, I have had this due to USB devices, ATI vidio driver, um once a bit of Mouse software. I would put it down to the VGA driver if you have a ATI graphics card, but unplug everything, including the external mouse and keyboard. Try this and maybe come back with a detailed spec, Graphics Card and O/S

The only thing I recently put on was an iPod - I managed to login for 2 minutes a few days ago and remove everything associated with it - drivers, iTunes etc but no change. As for external devices I rarely have any connected that I'm not using at the time - and I use the onboard keyboard & touchpad so thats about as good as its gonna get I'm afraid.

Jez, we can hope it's just an HP thing, may not be even remotely connected, but seems worth a try. Right click My Computer (assuming you can get there)>Properties>Advanced tab>Settings button (Starup and Recovery) uncheck Automatically Restart. ??? HTH. Ed in Texas.

I haven't managed to even get to the login screen yet today, next time I can I'll check that. I may be wrong - I've never seen the automatic restart thing before - but that shouldnt result in bluescreen errors should it?

HI:I think your problem related to the CPU or perhaps to the heatsink Good luck ....