Could it be the motherboard....

[SwaggMan]

We got an hp laptop that will lock up in windows. we have tryed out test memory which we know works. differant hard drives. removed all hardware not needed to boot. the system still lockes up in windows. we also tryed installing ubuntu linux. works fine....... we can boot up to a live linux disc. i made a bartPE windows disc. that does work on other systems... locks up. why only window locks it up...

laptop is an hp dv5000
amd turion 64

[PcTestCard.com]

I would suggest you install the Chipset driver and reboot your Windows OS immediatelly after format and reinstall the OS.

Also, the PC test card is also a nice device to help you find your laptop for the hardware error quick and accurately.

[Axelation]

The dv series laptops are basically junk...I have seen hundreds come across my bench, all with bad MOBO's. You can try upgrading the bios and doing a fresh install with windows. Be sure to delete that little recovery partition during the setup. If not, it will create problems. Not sure why, it just does. The reason I say upgrade the Bios, is because on the DV series, HP has issues where the BIOS does not spin the fan up at the correct speeds if at all when the unit gets hot. As a result, the north bridge chip gets overheated, causing lock ups and eventually catastrophic failure. Linux will run fine, because it has no real fan speed control. It will spin your fan up whether it is hot or not. Just a drawback or in your case, benefit of linux. You can however, install small scripts to control the fan speed within linux to save battery power. But as far as windows goes....that could be your problem, but without seeing it first hand, I can't be sure.

[SwaggMan]

yea i agree on that one. dv series are crap. we also replace alot of dv 2000 motherbaords, and the hinges on dv 9000 over heat and seize up. time for a new design i think. anyway. customer did not want to get motherboard replaced or anything. guess its just cheaper and easier to buy new.

thanks everyone