Topic: computer randomly shuts off

[MattD]

I'm using a Dell Inspiron 5000e for playing around in Ubuntu and I've found that it randomly just shuts off completely. It also did this in Windows 2000. It's not a shut down, but rather just acts as if all power were removed. It's plugged into the wall and battery has a full charge, so that's not it.

What else can cause this behavior? How can I check? I was thinking bad RAM, but the memory test on the Ubuntu live CD passes repeatedly. Could it be overheating? I'm not sure how to test that. I realize it's an old laptop, so something could be going.

Thanks,
Matt

[Roving Sign]

Sounds like overheating - or a failing power supply...

Make sure all your fans are working - I run my box with the side off!

[Nicola Fankhauser]

hi

I also suspect thermal problems. some computers moan after thermal events when started again, so you'll know. you could also try to go into BIOS and maybe there's some setting to tweak what to do when thermals event occur.

regards
nicola

[Brennan]

Well it's definitely hardware related...sounds like overheating to me too. Check your fans, and BIOS will tell you temps in some cases too.

[Liquid Drum]

I've had the same problem for about 4 years now, lol.

Ever since I had my PC, it would randomly 'restart' itself every once in a while. Some days its totally fine and it will run for weeks, other times it will 'restart'.

I just learned to live with it, I back-up everything. Funny thing is, my PC has NEVER gone down (to the point that I've lost everything, etc).

Strange, heh.

[sunjan]

Could it be overheating? I'm not sure how to test that. I realize it's an old laptop, so something could be going.

Sounds like overheating. While running under Windows, download Speedfan. Great shareware, shows the temperature for each component!
http://www.almico.com/sfdownload.php

If you get high readings, dig out some "cooling clamps" from your freezer, cover them in plastic bags and try putting the laptop on top of them. If it doesn't power down, then you know what caused it...

/Jan

[tiberiusbkirk]

Same thing happens to my inspirion notebook for the past 2 years. In the summer months
it gets worse, sometimes 10 mins of use would shut it down. I got used to it happening.
bought a notebook cooler and that really didn't help much.
I think it just needs a good cleaning and to get rid of the clutter around the workspace.
the notebook is surrounded by books and stacks of paper with no air movement around it.
The Dell is four years old and still working.

[StillIll]

Since it's a laptop (especially since it's a Dell) I suspect overheating. I suggest you clean out the fan vents with some compressed air. If you're feeling really adventurous, you can replace the stock thermal pad with some better thermal paste like Arctic Silver 5 or Ceramique for a significant drop in temperature. Also, you could get a notebook cooling pad to put underneath it. If you can't afford that, put it on something to lift it up and allow airflow underneath it and around the sides, like a cookie rack.