Laptop sounds like it’s about to blow up

its a hardware issue. you need to replace the usb or mobo, since its soldered on (if you're uncomfortable soldering). reinstalling windows isnt going to fix that

dacrone said:

its a hardware issue. you need to replace the usb or mobo, since its soldered on (if you're uncomfortable soldering). reinstalling windows isnt going to fix that

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At least it'll blow up "clean"

mecanicogolf said:

Maybe you should try and reinstall Windows. Clean install might help. I know it could be a pain, but if you have a backup.........

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I was thinking that

dacrone said:

its a hardware issue. you need to replace the usb or mobo, since its soldered on (if you're uncomfortable soldering). reinstalling windows isnt going to fix that

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But then I thought that I'm not worried about using the usbc port particularly (although it's annoying) but if other damage has been done .........

Not sure why a defunct usbc port would stop a laptop shutting down or reduce the audio volume though. Something else must be jiggered. Soldering is out for me unfortunately

Hazel123 said:

Not sure why a defunct usbc port would stop a laptop shutting down or reduce the audio volume though. Something else must be jiggered. Soldering is out for me unfortunately

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most likely another component that came off of the board (you'd have to inspect it visually, very closely).

I couldn't see anything amiss, but then I don't know what I'm looking for. It's still working - other than manual switch off and lower audio volume and no usb c port. I actually hate usbc - they go to easily (if I ever have it again I'm getting one of those magnetic adapters).

Anyone know which laptops don't have the usbc soldered to the motherboard? Because most HP ones seem to have that.

you can set the power button action to forced shutdown and see if that will work instead of pressing and holding...

Thanks.

Well the audio volume has come back, but it still only shuts down so far and I still need to press and hold the off button to shut it down. Thanks for the work around - but I'd like to understand why it won't shut down. Because that does sound more software than hardware - maybe?

Hazel123 said:

Eek. So my laptop suddenly started making this really loud noise like a swarm of bees inside it. It got louder and louder until I turned it off. Any idea what it could be?! I had trouble turning it off as well and had to ideas and hold the off button in the end. Louder than a fan noise.

At the time I had been doing some video editing and had a phone plugged into it via usb - but that’s fairly common so can’t see that’s related.

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Sounds like it got really HOT! Check your vents, grab a can of air, are the vents being blocked?

Make sure it's breathing. If it's a two fan system, are both fans working or just one? Sometimes one of the fans can stop working or get clogged with dust/dirt or needs a can of air blowout. It really sounds like the vents got blocked and it got hot.

Once you clear them and clean it, this comes in HANDY. HIGHLY recommended. Decent build quality and great VALUE.
If you own a laptop, this is the one to get.

The top mesh is metal, the rest is plastic, it's quiet, it's LIGHTWEIGHT, has blue subtle LEDs and my laptop BREATHES because the three fans are quietly running and helping the air flow. When I throw my laptop in my backpack, I include this thing because it's LOW PROFILE and lightweight. EASY and it works.

TECKNET Laptop Cooling Pad, Portable Slim Quiet USB Powered Laptop Notebook Cooler Fits 12" - 17" laptops
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B016CL2DE6?ie=UTF8&th=1

Good luck, I hope this helps

Pays to read a thread.

Hazel123 said:

Well the audio volume has come back, but it still only shuts down so far and I still need to press and hold the off button to shut it down. Thanks for the work around - but I'd like to understand why it won't shut down. Because that does sound more software than hardware - maybe?

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And as if by magic Last night it did a Windows update and closed down all by itself! And now it's shutting down properly again. So maybe it was software. Meanwhile I have just bought another, identical one, second hand for £150. This is the third time I've done this. I like this model - it has a small touchpad and I like the keyboard on it. So I have three now. One with a bad motherboard (but other parts are ok). This one with a non working usbc (but everything else seems ok now). And a replacement one that's identical which, assuming all is fine with it, I will use as my main one and keep this one for spares. Because I miss the usbc port.

I also have a fourth similar one that's good but can't change the ssd drive in that one (mentioned elsewhere) as it has a stripped screw on the ssd and I have tried everything. Next attempt was going to be drilling it out, but I've had a year of health issues so that little task is on the end of the "to do" list. Software repairs only for me right now.

I also have an HP Spectre X360 which is immaculate and non working because both usbc ports don't work so it can't charge - and they are also both soldered to the Motherboard. Hence I am not spending a lot of money on a laptop again after that. I'm enquiring about getting a computer repair place to see if they can re-solder new usbc ports, but apparently that's usually unsuccessful with this model (as in blowing the motherboard).

Sorry I've gone off topic. Might be better to just sell it for spares but it's a shame as it's such a nice laptop. Best one I've ever had! Except it doesn;t have a working charging point and it's not easily replaceable.

Hazel123 said:

but I've had a year of health issues so that little task is on the end of the "to do" list.

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Hazel, I hope your health issues improve

Thank you. The last year wasn't good but moseying along now thank you

Can you get a tiny grinder or cutter like a Dremel and place a slit in the stripped screw so a tiny flathead screwdriver can turn it?

Hazel123 said:

I also have a fourth similar one that's good but can't change the ssd drive in that one (mentioned elsewhere) as it has a stripped screw on the ssd and I have tried everything. Next attempt was going to be drilling it out, but I've had a year of health issues so that little task is on the end of the "to do" list. Software repairs only for me right now.

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post a close-up pic of the screw head

I actually bought a dremel specifically to do that! I just don't have the time or inclination right now unfortunately. It would be very messy as well - I'd have to cover the motherboard with plastic except for the screw, wear goggles and a mask and have a big sheeted area apparently!

I think there's a photo of the screw on my original thread. I'll see if I can find it. It's a pig!

No there was no photo on my original thread from last year - but it's mangled to death. I found it like that after getting the used laptop and going to change the ssd drive. Tried most of the usual methods - then life got in the way,

Hazel123 said:

wear goggles and a mask and have a big sheeted area apparently!

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Yeah you dont want metal shavings in your eye, or on the motherboard or any other components for that matter