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Software => Computer software => Topic started by: Jonas Wauters on January 31, 2010, 09:54:19 AM

Title: Laptop shuts down by itself randomly
Post by: Jonas Wauters on January 31, 2010, 09:54:19 AM
Hi,

I've been trying help my sister with her laptop but can't seem to find what's wrong.
Eventually I've tried fromating and using windows 7 (prof) insted of windows vista.
But it isn't fixed yet. I have no clue what it could be, maybe a virus, maybe hardware,...
It used to say software error right before it would shut down but lately it doesn't say anything it just randomly shuts itself down. Sometimes it has that problem 4 times a day and sometimes she can work a whole week without having the problem. She backed up her files and copied it back but AVG can't find a thing. I'll try some other anti virus softwares but I don't think that's the problem.

system specs:
Dell inspiron 1525
OS: Vista home premium (in the beginning) / now Windows 7 (prof)

Thanks in advance
Jonas
Title: Re: Laptop shuts down by itself randomly
Post by: soybean on January 31, 2010, 11:14:39 AM
If her OS is 32-bit, I suggest downloading Core Temp (http://download.cnet.com/Core-Temp-32-bit/3000-12565_4-10794077.html) and running it to monitor the temperatures of her processor.  I think eliminating high temps as a possible cause may be a worthwhile troubleshooting step.
Title: Re: Laptop shuts down by itself randomly
Post by: Jonas Wauters on February 07, 2010, 01:45:26 PM
Hi,

I installed Core Temp on my laptop. Apparently I can't attach an excel file so I copied it in word.
The end of the document is when my laptop shut itself down.
My laptop starts itself up too...

Could the temperatures be the problem?

Thanks for your help!

Jessie

[Saving space, attachment deleted by admin]
Title: Re: Laptop shuts down by itself randomly
Post by: soybean on February 07, 2010, 08:21:23 PM
Could the temperatures be the problem?
 
Your log shows some very high temperatures, so that's quite likely causing the erratic shutdowns.  Has the laptop fan and cooling vent ever been cleaned of dust with a can of compressed air?  If not, it should be done ASAP. 

Is the laptop normally placed on a solid surface (a hard surface, not carpet) when being used?  Holding a laptop on a person's lap can restrict any air intake that might enter from the bottom and, of course, add to heat from the person's body.

As a test to confirm high temperature is the culprit, you could position a floor fan close to the laptop and have the fan running while the computer is on.  If that reduces or stops the abnormal shutdowns, that's a solid clue to the heat problem.

A laptop cooler can also be helpful in controlling laptop temps.  You can see some here (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&Description=laptop+cooler).

You should also open Task Manager and see whether any running processes are using a high percentage of CPU resources, thereby making the processor work harder and getting hotter than necessary.
Title: Re: Laptop shuts down by itself randomly
Post by: patio on February 08, 2010, 07:26:39 AM
Good to see you back Jonas...
Title: Re: Laptop shuts down by itself randomly
Post by: Jonas Wauters on February 08, 2010, 11:29:46 AM
Your log shows some very high temperatures, so that's quite likely causing the erratic shutdowns.  Has the laptop fan and cooling vent ever been cleaned of dust with a can of compressed air?  If not, it should be done ASAP. 

Is the laptop normally placed on a solid surface (a hard surface, not carpet) when being used?  Holding a laptop on a person's lap can restrict any air intake that might enter from the bottom and, of course, add to heat from the person's body.

As a test to confirm high temperature is the culprit, you could position a floor fan close to the laptop and have the fan running while the computer is on.  If that reduces or stops the abnormal shutdowns, that's a solid clue to the heat problem.

A laptop cooler can also be helpful in controlling laptop temps.  You can see some here (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&Description=laptop+cooler).

You should also open Task Manager and see whether any running processes are using a high percentage of CPU resources, thereby making the processor work harder and getting hotter than necessary.

Once you told me it could be due to high temp I thought it was a high posibility that this was the problem.
I don't know anything about the temperatures of the processor.
She uses her laptop in her bed so indeed it could be that the CPU isn't cooled properly.
I'll try to open it up and use a compressor to clean out the fan's.

Thanks for the info soybeen

Good to see you back Jonas...
Nice to see your still here :D
I'll be around every once and a while when I have some computer problems witch I can't fix myself.
But I'm afraid I don't have enough time to start posting and helping again

Jonas