Laptop Shutting Itself Off ?


  1. Posts : 542
    Windows 7 64bit
       #1

    Laptop Shutting Itself Off ?


    Hi,

    I know that this isn't a W7 related querstion, but you folks are so smart with this sort of thing, and this is such a terrific Forum, I thought I'd take the liberty of asking here anyway.

    Family member has a 5+ year old Dell laptop running XP.

    Runs it with the PC plugged into the wall 110 V outlet.

    While working on the PC, every 5 minutes or so, it shuts itself off.

    When actually working, it's fine.

    Any thoughts as to why this might be ?

    Could it be overheating ? Or,...?

    BTW: do laptops (usually) have a built in fan ?

    Thanks,
    Bob
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 13,354
    Windows 7 Professional x64
       #2

    Robert11 said:
    Hi,

    I know that this isn't a W7 related querstion, but you folks are so smart with this sort of thing, and this is such a terrific Forum, I thought I'd take the liberty of asking here anyway.

    Family member has a 5+ year old Dell laptop running XP.

    Runs it with the PC plugged into the wall 110 V outlet.

    While working on the PC, every 5 minutes or so, it shuts itself off.

    When actually working, it's fine.

    Any thoughts as to why this might be ?

    Could it be overheating ? Or,...?

    BTW: do laptops (usually) have a built in fan ?

    Thanks,
    Bob
    Yes, laptops have a built-in fan.

    What do you mean, when it's actually working it's fine?
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 542
    Windows 7 64bit
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Hi,

    Wasn't too clear; sorry.

    By working fine, I mean that the PC is totally normal for the 5 minutes or so between the time(s) it decides to shut down.

    So, you can do useful work, the internet, on it for approx. 4.9 minutes.

    Thanks for help,
    Bob
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 8,870
    Windows 7 Ult, Windows 8.1 Pro,
       #4

    Sounds like it could be overheating to me. If it's an old laptop it may help to blow out the dust with something, spray aircan or carefully with a compressor. Will it run on the battery power alone? Because it could also be the battery going out on you.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 13,354
    Windows 7 Professional x64
       #5

    Sounds like a heat problem. Try downloading Speedfan and checking your temps.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 11,408
    ME/XP/Vista/Win7
       #6

    HI
    you can Check yuor power setting.

    Sounds more like overheating.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 542
    Windows 7 64bit
    Thread Starter
       #7

    To Chev65 et al From OP


    Hi,

    Thanks for help.

    Re: "Will it run on the battery power alone? Because it could also be the battery going out on you."

    Not sure; Laptop is not mine; family member.

    If it is a bad battery, would that in any way effect it's running from AC wall power ?
    I thought that running on AC power would totally circumvent whatever the condition of the battery was ? True ?

    A salesman at BestBuy once told me they run all their laptops used for demos in the store without any battery physically even in the unit; they are just plugged into the AC outlets.

    (I only have desktops; know next to nothing re Laptops)

    Regards,
    Bob
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 846
    Windows 10 Pro
       #8

    My first guess would also be over heating of the CPU. Do you feel the fan working at all?
    Something that old may have a lot of dust inside to jam up the fan.

    My second guess is check for heat where the AC plugs into the laptop. I have read about DELL and HP this problem. Over time the connection to the motherboard actually gets loose and doesn't make a good connection. It you have a large amount of heat around the plug I suspect that.

    When you say it shuts down do you mean like someone pulled the plug or a control shutdown by Windows?

    Hope this gives you some more ideas.
    Iggy
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 13,354
    Windows 7 Professional x64
       #9

    Bob, can you run Speedfan and post the temps?

    Thanks,
    ~Jonathan
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 542
    Windows 7 64bit
    Thread Starter
       #10

    From OP:


    Hi,

    Will try and run Speedfan for them when I can get access to the unit.
    Probably won't be for a while, though.

    Really a good idea of yours; the running of Speedfan.

    Much thanks,
    Bob
      My Computer


 

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