|
|
 |
|
|
Pages: 1
Computer is Powering Off
(Click here to view the original thread with full colors/images)
Posted by: DoctorBond
My computer is powering itself off (not going through a full shut down, just turning off) right while I'm in the middle of using it. It usually does this when I have a more demanding application running, or when I have a couple of different programs running. At first it would only happen when I was running a LOT of programs, like maybe 4 or 5. Now, if I'm just on instant messenger and also looking at my fantasy football team for example, it might power off at any time. I thought maybe it was heat related, but I moved the computer to ventilate it better and that didn't really seem to help. It is a Dell Inspiron 5100 laptop. Can someone PLEASE tell me why it is just turning itself off and what I can do to fix it?
Thank you so so so much!
SPECS:
Processor - Pentium 4 2790MHz (L1 cache: 8.00 Kb, L2 cache: 512.0 Kb) Ext.clock: 533 MHz
Memory - 512 Mb (523 248 Kb) SODIMM1: 256 Mb SODIMM2: 256 Mb
Video Card - MOBILITY RADEON 7500 (16.0 Mb): 1400 x 1050 - True Color (32 bit)
Sound Card - SigmaTel C-Major Audio
Operating System - Windows XP Professional U.S. English 5.1 (build 2600 Service Pack 2) installed: 31-Jul-2003
Posted by: BlackSphinx
Sounds like one of 2 things to me.
Either some part of your computer is overheating - videocard, motherboard, CPU - in which you should first try to use some canned air and blow all the dust out of the computer. Never use a vacuum. Vacuums + computer = dead puppies. make sure you really blow the CPU heat sink good (not trying to be dirty here), and get all the dust out of it. If that fails, then onto solution #2.
It could be due to a flaky power supply. As the power supply dies, the crashes become more and more common. When running many programs, the components could be needing more power, and arn't getting it. As the power supply weakens, it would become more frequent and would suck more.
If you were running windows ME, i would say you should take a visit to Dr. Kevorkian, but you're not, so you're safe.
Posted by: goranpaa
Agree.
Also download "Motherboard monitor 5" and check out the temperatures. .
If you find, that your temps is too high? Then this gadget, could be a good soloution.
BYTECC Notebook Cooling Pad ( Aluminum ) with USB power Y adapter Model NC-500 (USB) - Retail $17.99 . newegg, webshop.
Posted by: DoctorBond
I realize that I am a complete and utter fool, and I'm embarrassed to have to ask this... but when you say a flaky power supply, what do you mean by power supply? the battery in my laptop?
Posted by: goranpaa
He probably means that the UPS ( uninterruptible power supply) Could be somewhat faulty.
I don't know if this Laptop power monitor software, can be of any help for you? But it's worth a try I belive.
http://www.passmark.com/products/batmon.htm
Posted by: BlackSphinx
 Quote:
|
Originally Posted by DoctorBond
I realize that I am a complete and utter fool, and I'm embarrassed to have to ask this... but when you say a flaky power supply, what do you mean by power supply? the battery in my laptop?
|
Oops, sorry, I thought you were playing with a desktop.
I really missed the mark on that one, sorry =P. But the overheating thing is still true.
Edit: malinformation excluded
Posted by: thtadthtshldntb
The PSU for a laptop is that brick on the power cord, and yes it could be going back, or it could have taken an electrical hit and not be working correctly. It is also possible that your battery is near the end of its lifetime, rare nowadays, but possible.
You could also have knocked something loose. This is more complicated, laptops are especially difficult to get inside of. Usually the hd and ram chips are under separate panels on the bottom, accessible via screwdriver. You could try opening them up and reseating the components therein.
Oh, look on the bottom of the laptop, for a grill-like area. That area should be clear or stickers and such.
Posted by: DoctorBond
thanks for the replies. I appreciate it very much. Hopefully I can figure something out with this thing. Thanks again
|
|
|
|
|
