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TECH HELP PLEASE: Why is my windows 7 Dell laptop suddenly shutting down for no reason

Posted on 08/30/2015 11:13:31 AM PDT by Maceman

Back in May or June, after my Dell Laptop crashed and a month of tech support from Dell proved ineffective, they they sent me a new (i.e. refurbished) E6540 laptop (running Windows 7) which I've had for about two months now.

All of a sudden, today for the first time, the E6540 has started shutting down randomly for no reason. When I start it up again, it gives me the message about having shut down incorrectly and an option to run Windows in safe mode.

This has happened a few times today. I'm running Microsoft Security Essentials, which says the system is protected and doesn't show any infections. I don't know if this could be a virus, or a glitch that might be fixed by setting a restore point to an earlier date.

Has anyone run into this problem? Anyone have any (productive) thoughts or suggestions?

Will converting to Windows 10 be a possible solution? (I'm really not in a hurry to do that at this point.)

As always, I'll much appreciate any help my fellow Freepers can provide.

Thanks in advance.


TOPICS: Chit/Chat; Computers/Internet
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To: Maceman

My guess is that there is a hardware failure that is shutting it down but I would try and make a Ubuntu Live CD or USB and see if it boots up. If you can run it with Ubuntu I would then proceed to re-install windows.


41 posted on 08/30/2015 11:45:19 AM PDT by Kid Shelleen (Beat your plowshares into swords. Let the weak say I am strong)
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To: Irenic

I use : http://download.cnet.com/Core-Temp-Gadget/3000-12565_4-75280179.html
and
http://win7gadgets.com/pc-system/gpu_observer.html
to keep an eye on my temps and such.


42 posted on 08/30/2015 11:47:22 AM PDT by Irenic (The pencil sharpener and Elmer's glue is put away-- we've lost the red wheelbarrow)
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To: Maceman

I had a shutdown issue with my HP. The heat sink for the processor was covered in dust. Cleaned it and no problems, since. Easy to check. Probably have a small panel covering that area.


43 posted on 08/30/2015 11:47:29 AM PDT by ryan71 (Bibles, Beans and Bullets)
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To: Las Vegas Ron
"Try a restore pint if you can"

Or a fifth.

44 posted on 08/30/2015 11:47:58 AM PDT by outofsalt ( If history teaches us anything it's that history rarely teaches us anything.)
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To: Maceman

Here’s a place to start: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/open-event-viewer#1TC=windows-7

The logs are easy scroll through - there are several, you should be interested in the Windows one and the Application and Service Logs. Look through them - you’ll be able to see where the machine was booted, then go backwards to see what happened before the boot. If you find an error you can google it.

If you find nothing in the logs that coincides with shutdown, then I’d start thinking it’s a hardware issue.


45 posted on 08/30/2015 11:48:40 AM PDT by tje
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To: Maceman

Check your System Restore. Find a ‘critical update’ that is just before you started having the shutdown problems, and restore to that.

I do not allow MS to auto-update my Win7. I still get ‘critical updates’, however, and they can play havoc. I do the System Restore and that seems to take care of the problem.

==

I had a SamJUNK laptop and was one month out of warranty. It started shutting down as soon as I could press the ‘on’ button. I finally too, it to a local computer shop. They determined it was the motherboard. They contacted Samsung to see what one would cost and where/when they could get it.

Apparently, Samsung does not make replacement parts for their Junky laptops. I now have an $800 doorstop.

==

If the problem persists, I hate to say... it could be the motherboard.


46 posted on 08/30/2015 11:49:12 AM PDT by TomGuy
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To: nuconvert; Maceman

My laptop started doing the same thing. My son took it apart. Intake clogged and fan covered in cat hair. Cleaned it up, banned cat from office area. Works fine and should last a long time.


47 posted on 08/30/2015 11:50:35 AM PDT by Grams A (The Sun will rise in the East in the morning and God is still on his throne.)
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To: Maceman
"I'll rot in hell before I buy another Dell.."
Banjoguy
48 posted on 08/30/2015 11:55:25 AM PDT by Banjoguy (Start boycotting the airline industry..NOW! Drive everywhere you can.)
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To: Maceman

Overheating. Get a cooling pad at your local Staples/Office Depot/Walamrt, etc.


49 posted on 08/30/2015 11:56:14 AM PDT by Timber Rattler (Just say NO! to RINOS and the GOP-E)
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To: Starstruck
How do I get rid of this virus Microsoft put on my computer that keeps telling me to install Windows 10?

From what I have read, a recent MS update planted that little feature on computers. It is a KB3035583 update file, per howtogeek.com.

Google 'get rid of windows 10 notification'. There are about 18,000,000 results.
50 posted on 08/30/2015 11:57:37 AM PDT by TomGuy
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To: Grams A; Las Vegas Ron; Maceman

I had a bad fan on a desktop once and it would just shut down. That’s what made me think it might be an overheating problem.


51 posted on 08/30/2015 12:00:06 PM PDT by nuconvert ( Khomeini promised change too // Hail, Chairman O)
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To: Maceman

Mine does the same thing sometimes, especially when running on battery power. I think it has something to do with the fan not kicking in when it needs to. You can download “RealTemp” and keep an eye on the temperature to see if it’s related.


52 posted on 08/30/2015 12:00:13 PM PDT by Abigail Adams
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To: Maceman
Check the cooling fan and the entire inside of your laptop for dust and dirt ... Dell Latitude E6540 Disassembly.
53 posted on 08/30/2015 12:01:02 PM PDT by oh8eleven (RVN '67-'68)
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To: Maceman

You could need more memory.

And shut down all the bells, whistles, animations, etc.


54 posted on 08/30/2015 12:01:11 PM PDT by Arthur McGowan (Beau Biden's funeral, attended by Bp. Malooly, Card. McCarrick, and Papal Nuncio, Abp. Vigano.)
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To: nuconvert
bingo
55 posted on 08/30/2015 12:03:51 PM PDT by Chode (Stand UP and Be Counted, or line up and be numbered - *DTOM* -w- NO Pity for the LAZY)
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To: Maceman

Go to internet options and get rid of all history, cookies and passwords then do system restore then run malwarebytes.

If that doesn’t work take the laptop to Micro Center and tell them to fix it or for $350 buy a new laptop.


56 posted on 08/30/2015 12:13:20 PM PDT by Georgia Girl 2 (The only purpose o f a pistol is to fight your way back to the rifle you should never have dropped.)
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To: Maceman

I think you need to run the full diagnostics routine Dell provides on a disk partition. I think it is the f12 key during boot. Test everything. That should eliminate hardware issues. Do that first.

Next type cmd into the program finder box. Right click on cmd and run as admin. Type SFC /Scannow into the black box and run it. It verifies OS files and fixes stuff if it is corrupt. If that fails to fix stuff. PM me.


57 posted on 08/30/2015 12:20:35 PM PDT by LesbianThespianGymnasticMidget (God punishes Conservatives by making them argue with fools)
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To: Maceman

Had the very same issues on three other PC’S. Each one needed a new hard drive and a complete reload.


58 posted on 08/30/2015 12:34:17 PM PDT by raybbr (Obamacare needs a deatha panel)
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To: Maceman

All these heat related issues is why I’ve gone with SSD (solid state disks) on two laptops now. Doesn’t run nearly as hot (nothing spinning) and drops haven’t been a problem, where even small drop of JUST a foot would cause problems.


59 posted on 08/30/2015 12:40:02 PM PDT by Vic S
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To: Maceman

Simple first steps, critical in order to understand:

1.) Make sure there are no USB or Flash drives (camera chips) in any bay (NO peripherals of any kind). If there is, take it out, and leave it out... Does that fix it?

2.) Make note of environmental obstruction to fan intake and exhaust - Operate only on smooth surface (table top) with nothing around the machine. Use a can of air to blow out the intake/exhaust. Does that fix it?

3.) Take out the battery and run only on 110 power. Does that fix it? Replace battery, running only on battery (w/o 110 power) Does that fix it?

4.) Inspect 110 cable, power supply, and plug-ends for damage. Use a different wall plug. Wiggle the connection where 110 plugs into the machine, trying to cause shut-off... Can you make it die? Does wiggling the plug make it cycle between batt/100 use? If possible, borrow an equivalent power supply and cord from another machine (maybe a friend has a similar box)... Does that fix it?

5.)Boot it into safe mode and leave it run... does the problem still exist in safe? Boot it to an external media (Windows CD, Linux Live CD, etc) Does the problem exist in the external booted system?

6.) Hook it to an external monitor or TV, using display properties to shut off the on-board monitor while hooked to the other (be sure to set it back before disconnect) Does that fix it?

If none of the above, it will be an internal issue, and probably needs a hands-on tech to diagnose/fix... There are some other things to try, but would require some experience on your part... Let me know if you feel qualified to go internal...


60 posted on 08/30/2015 12:50:33 PM PDT by roamer_1
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