Will System Restore Solve A Freezing Issue?

This may be difficult since it's not my laptop that is having issues. A friend of mine who knows nothing about computers asked me to help her figure out her freezing issue. Here's what I know:

The computer is a HP laptop running windows 7 - Amd athalon II p340 dual core with 2GB memory. The complaint is the laptop is freezing up and she has to force a shutdown. it started freezing after using the internet, and then just started freezing soon after startup. There hasn't been any new software loaded recently to suggest that might be the reason.

1. Will a system restore resolve this issue?
2. Once in safe mode - what does 'repair computer' option do? Should I consider that?
3. The laptop runs very hot - sometimes too hot to keep on lap....could this damage internal hardware like memory?
4. Does forcing a shutdown harm the computer/is that bad for the computer?
5. What other information would be helpful in resolving this issue?

Thanks in advance.

 

Hi Ansible1.

1. I doubt it.

2. Not at the moment.

3. Should never have a laptop on your lap. The Laptop can't cool properly.
Heat will reduce the life of the Hardware.
It is probably full of dust. Needs a can of compressed air and the nozzle put into every hole and short gusts of air to remove what dust you can, or take it to a professional to do it for you.
A base stand with dual fans would assist the cooling as well.

4. Forcing a hard shutoff is not good for any Computer.

5. Another 2 GIGS of memory would definately help.

 

The computer will freeze shortly after start up, despite having been shut off for an extended period of time. Should I still assume overheating is the cause of the freezing?

 

It is never safe to assume anything but if the machine is booting and then shutting down after windows is open then it is a very strong possibility that heat is the Issue.
What does "shortly" mean? There are programs that will give you the temperature readings but only if you can install them and run them. If shortly means say 5 minutes then we can check, if it is just a matter of seconds I would strongly urge that you follow DSTM's advice and get some compressed air and blow it into the vents in short bursts not a sustained blast.

 

Could you clarify please, when the laptop freezes does it shut itself off or does it just sit there? IMO if it is actually shutting off, its more likely to be a heat issue. If it just sits there, its probably something other than heat.

 

By "shortly" I believe that means less than 5 mins. I don't believe it will run long enough to download and run a temp reading program. (unless there is a way I can do that in safe mode. I'm not sure if it will freeze in safe mode)

Yes, when it freezes it will just sit there and the user has to do a forced shut down. It does not shut off by itself.

I will certainly try the can of compressed air, even if that's not the source of the problem i'm sure it will need it.