old compaq laptop running win xp pro

[webrat]

I have cleaned this old laptop up and it runs great, but after about 45 minutes to an hour, when you touch the thumb pad to move the mouse the system does a restart. Just like if you did it from the shutdown command. Can anyone help!???

Thanks to all who replied. I have opened it up, all looks well, the fan settings is (On all the time its plugged into an outlet). Strange though, it starts on high but then as soon as it boots, it shifts down to low speed. Last night I put each edge of it on a cardboard box so as to give more underside clearence and set a small in front of it pulling air under it. That seemed to have done the trick. Now that I know it is overheating, what would you suggest?

 

[MindoverMaster]

Might be a short in the touch pad. Have you ever opened it up? Could be a loose cable.

 

[helix2301]

Check the bios for fan settings could be over heating.
Boot into safe made and try a different touch pad driver or update the bios.

 

[kmote]

I'd run a memtest.

 

[webrat]

Yes, I had thought that at first, but turns out it's overheating. See addition to my post. And thanks for suggestion

 

[webrat]

Thanks for the reply. If it were mine i'd scrap it!!! But you know how that is. Turns out it's overheating, although I can find no reason other compaq is junk.

 

[MindoverMaster]

Compaq isn't junk. Just not considered high grade, at all.

 

[kmote]

I have a compaq laptop that must be 18 years old now and it still worked last time I checked it out. Times change.

 

[MindoverMaster]

What's the last time you checked it?