really need help before free weekend is over

So I'm thinking I've pretty much narrowed my problem with the game powering my laptop off after 30 seconds to one thing.

Whenever I try verifying the cache files it tells me that 1 file could not be verified and is being reacquired.

I've been spamming the verify cache button and it always says the same thing so some sort of crucial game file must not be downloading.

My laptop's specs are well within the requirements and slightly beyond them actually. I made this thread so I could try and get help quicker since sending my log files to Uber didn't get me much information other than "update your video drivers", which I did to the latest version of the GeForce 8600M GT. I'd really like to at least get the game up and running before the free weekend is over so that I know it will work if I buy it. If not, then there's no point in buying it.

I've done everything else in the troubleshooting guidelines:

manually installed the support files
logged out of steam and back in
verified cache
uninstalled, checked for remaining .ini's (found none) and re-installed
etc...

so the fact that 1 file keeps coming back and unverified must be the problem. Anyone have any fixes/experience with this?

I've been able to run a blitz for about 15 seconds and everything looks great graphics wise and then my laptop just shuts off.

I understand this is not really Uber's fault and I certainly don't blame them for MNC not being supported by every system. I just love the game is all and I'm getting a little bored of the Xbox lately...

that one file is normal, as soon as the game starts one of the files gets changed by a game, config or ini file probably. an missing file can not account of your laptop to shutdown. the game cant even shutdown your computer at all.

i think you have a hardware issue, laptop consuming more power then can be delivered could potentially cause this.

yeah that's what I figured. I know people were reporting the instant death of their battery on Dell XPS laptops after flashing BIOS A12. Pretty sure that's what happened to me. It mis-manages your power/heating+cooling. Can't even flash an older BIOS because battery life needs to be 10% min, 100% rec. for it to work.

Oh well, free weekend is over and at least it didn't cost me anything except time and a headache trying to see if MNC works on my laptop. I know my laptop can handle it, I think Site Admin "O" said he uses a 3 year old XPS (mine's 3 years old as well) and can run the game just fine. He also used it as his dev. platform for a while. So it must just be a hardware issue with my specific laptop.

Back to my 360 version it is