Posted on 08/30/2015 11:13:31 AM PDT by Maceman
“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. “
Does the power suddenly go off (i.e. the screen goes blank and all the laptop lights go dark) or do you get a blue screen? If it’s the first, you have a hardware problem, possibly related to the system board or the power adapter. If it’s the second, you may have a hardware or software issue (Windows, drivers, viruses, display card, hard drive, RAM, etc).
Run diagnostic program and see if you have registry errors. If you have a lot of errors, particularly after an update, they can freeze your computer and cause your browser to shut down.
Its probably overheating, and its going off to cool down. That’s what was happening with my Dell Laptop Windows 7 Pro.
In the meanwhile get a computer stand. I use the following, and it works very well.
Maceman, you have my sympathies. Unfortunately, many things can cause your symptoms. I am an EE with a few decades experience, and imo you do not need Win 10. You can follow the restore instructions, but one thing you might watch out for is if you have a lot of peripherals attached; i.e. disconnect all external equipment during restore/reboot.
Even though you have a refurbished PC it may still be the problem, since many PCs are built with limited-lifetime components (particularly capacitors) that, as they age, cause intermittent internal power problems that cause shutdowns.
If the above do not help, I would contact Dell again.
Good luck.
If it is the latter, as in my case, it could be a faulty battery. Either the connection is loose, or the battery itself is not charging.
Try plugging in the laptop without the battery and see if it turns off.
Anything in the Event Log?
“Try a restore pint if you can”
I think a pint of restore would be too much. But maybe not considering the first step in the directions:
Surface Preparation:Remove all debris and loose soil with a dry mop or broom.
Yes, older laptop fans can get clogged with dust bunnies, cat hair, etc. and slow down, struggle or even stop, which then causes overheating. Overheating can be caused by other hardware like heat sink faults. Sometimes you can overcome this by directing a fan straight onto the hot side of the computer to cool it down.
If the computer just turns off, along with all the indicator lights, you may have a heat problem. The cheapest and quickest way to address this is to remove the keyboard and spray the vents with a can of compressed air to get the dust bunnies out. Run a fan over the whole shebang for about 10 minutes to make sure the condensation/propellant has dried, then put the keyboard back in. This manual should provide detailed disassembly instructions:
http://topics-cdn.dell.com/pdf/latitude-e6540-laptop_Owner’s%20Manual_en-us.pdf
How do I get rid of this virus Microsoft put on my computer that keeps telling me to install Windows 10?
Random shutdowns in a laptop are sometimes heat related. Be sure the cooling vents are not blocked.
IMHO, Win 10 is not ready for prime time. Don’t upgrade yet. There are millions of Win 7 users who have no plans at all to upgrade to Win 10.
install these before you even ask another question
Avast.com
MalWareBytes.com
CCleaner
Clean and Scan your system with all three of them
they are all free for home use
IF you still have issues after this, and you have done all windows updates, then it is hardware - probably disk drive
“In my folks case, it was a stuck on/off button due to crud in it.”
Story about Samsung phone ...
Phone was low on battery and kept rebooting. Internet searches indicated stuck button. I took the sim card out to start a disassembly. It booted up without the sim card and began charging. After it was charged, put back in. Happened again, same fix.
It’s caused by unconfessed sin.
Does it say anything before shutting down?
Choose Event Viewer on the Administrative Tools menu (this is from Windows XP). If you can't find it on a menu, start up a command line and type Eventvwr.msc. Or do Windows-R and enter Eventvwr.msc.
Look for suspicious events around the time of shutdown. Google what you find.
An over heating problem can cause shut downs.
LMAO...guess I had something else on my mind....still chuckling, thanks!
Don’t update ANYTHING.
Did DELL provide a system disk? Disk/information is available either through your computer, Dell online (somewhere in the crap that MS has provided) or through Dell direct for purchase (or not, might depend on system, other).
Also... try clearing everything in your browser, history, et. al.) ***
If you have a virus/other, updating won’t clear it in the current registry.
Make sure you have current anti virus/malware things and run them (and again after each runs their programs).
Try them first.
Don’t go to a re-start point until you’re clear of any possible corruption (it may/will follow).
Depending upon your files stored, consider a format/reload, which would require system files, program files and anything else that you deem needed.
*** age/competency test: if none of the above work, put your keyboard or mouse in a paper bag and swing it over your head and scream like a chicken (may be copyrighted, so close your blinds)
Is it getting hot?
Refer to your own tagline and follow suit?
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