Laptop shuts down for no reason

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TimTDP

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Periodically my laptops simply shuts down. I can't put any sequence of events to it. It is random.

I have run a full anti virus (Microsoft Essentials) test which did not reveal a virus problem.

I think may be a hardware problem.
Is there software available that I can run to test the hardware?
It is a Dell Vostro running Windows 7 Professional
 
do you place it on a bed or something? are the vents at the bottom getting enough air? Have a look underneath at the fan vent and check if it looks dusty, try blowing air through the ventilation holes with a hair dryer or sumtin just to clear out dust and check if it still does the same. it could be overheating
 
It did not get a "BUMP" recently and the CPU contact between the CPU and cooling device not "break" .... had that happen before ...
 
If you do not have a random reboot or shut down in safe mode, problem is likely malware or a virus. Uninstal MS essentials or disable it and install Avast antivirus and malware bytes. Do a malware scan first and remove all found. Then run boot time scan with Avast. If nothing is found on either, then you most likely have a hardware issue.
 
I had the fan on my old work Vostro die twice which resulted in sporadic rebooting. It's easy to check, just feel whether any air is coming out of the cooling vent.
 
my guess is a heat issue.
seen 2 this week that were shuting down due to overheating.
although you may feel hot air being expelled from the exhaust vent, the cooling fins inside may be clogged with dust impeding adequate air flow needed for effective cooling
 
Try keeping an eye on temps & if there ok try removing 1 stick of ram at a time.
Core Temp - configure it to sit in the sys tray - http://www.alcpu.com/CoreTemp/
or
SIW - lower down on this page is the free download http://www.gtopala.com/siw-download.php
Under "Hardware" is "sensor" info
Just care if you use SIW when you install - select custom & uncheck the junk
 
Last edited:
Could also be your battery,is your charger connected when this happens .My Acer randomly switches off if the charger is not connected,battery is busted.Also check your cmos battery.
 
TimTDP said:
Periodically my laptops simply shuts down. I can't put any sequence of events to it. It is random.

I have run a full anti virus (Microsoft Essentials) test which did not reveal a virus problem.

I think may be a hardware problem.
Is there software available that I can run to test the hardware?
It is a Dell Vostro running Windows 7 Professional
Click to expand...

After a shutdown, reboot into windows and look in your event viewer* for errors**.

* press windows key, type 'eventvwr' and hit enter
** [dont have a windows box near me] but filter on the type of event (error, warning) - you should find enough information to continue on your quest
 
To test if it's a battery issue take the battery out and run the laptop for a day with the charger plugged in it should work with just the power plugged in (no battery). I worked on a hp with the similar issue once replaced the battery and it was fine
 
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