My laptop shuts down unexpectedly when it's on AC. Please help!

Question

HI

I bought new dell Inpiron N5110 one week ago. Specifications on my laptop are:

processor: i5 - 2430M 2.40GHz

RAM: 8.00 GB

Graphics card: intel HD Graphics 3000 and NVIDIA GeForce GT 525M

I use Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit

Everything works perfectly while is on the batery, but when i switch it to the AC then shuts down randomly(without battery). Without warning, like there is no electricity enough. Sometimes that could be one time in two days, but sometimes could be two or three times in one hour. I check the temperature it's 55C for the CPU when it's idle, check for viruses, preinstall the windows, reset the bios to the default, i run the PSA Diagnostics and everythink it's ok. Don't known what's wrong. I have external keyboard and mouse linked to the laptop via USB 3.0 ports, and headphones. If somebody can tell me what to do...

Thanks in advance

DELL-Manpreet C · Answer

Hi AlekseyR,

You can try to drain the flea power. To do so, follow these steps:

Turn off the system and any attached peripherals (printer, USB flash drives, SD card, keyboard, mouse, AC Adapter and battery).
Disconnect the AC Adapter from the wall outlet.
Disconnect the Ethernet cable from the system.
Press and hold the power button for 10-15 seconds.
Turn on the computer only with the AC Adapter connected (not even the battery) and observe the computer.

If you connect the AC Adapter to a surge protector, remove it; connect the AC Adapter to the wall outlet and then observe the behavior.
Check for any bent or broken pins on the AC Adapter port.
Check if the AC Adapter light is illuminated when connected to the laptop.
You can also check the laptop with a known good AC Adapter (if available).

If this does not help, try the BIOS update from this link: http://bit.ly/VePPFk.
Before flashing the BIOS please check the following:
* No external devices (except the keyboard, mouse and monitor) should be connected.
* All other programs should be closed and documents saved.
* The AC adapter should be connected during this process. The battery should be 10% or more than 10% charged.
Click on 'Download File'>> click 'Continue'>> Click 'Yes' on User Account control if prompted>>Click 'Continue' on the Application prompt>> Click 'OK' on Select the folder where you want to unzip the files to (make a note of the folder location)>> Click 'Yes' on the next prompt for folder does not exist>> Click 'OK' on All files were successfully unzipped. >> If the installation wizard does not appear, go to the folder location>> select the Setup file >> Right-click and select 'Run as Administrator'>>Follow the installation wizard instructions. The laptop will reboot after this update.
Check the AC Adapter type in BIOS.

Also, do you hear any noise from the fan? Does the computer overheat?
If so, please clean the air vents using a compressed air can. You can refer to this link on how to clean the air vents: http://dell.to/NYHQuz

Hope this helps.
Do write back with the results.

faizalenu · Answer

- Update the bios, I have a feeling it is not something hard ware related.

- check the Event Logs in BIOS for any BIOS or Thermal events

- check Event viewer for "This shut down was unexpected...." If you don't see those, very likely something in the OS is shutting it down.

- Check diagnostics -- make sure the A/c adapter checked out.

- Check power options, esp settings for when plugged in....

AlekseyR · Answer

Nothing of this works... still shuts down randomly:S In Computer management , event viewer , windows logs, system this shows me:

Log Name: System

Source: Microsoft-Windows-Kernel-Power

Date: 10/1/2012 2:00:39 AM

Event ID: 41

Task Category: (63)

Level: Critical

Keywords: (2)

User: SYSTEM

Computer: Aleksey-PC

Description:

The system has rebooted without cleanly shutting down first. This error could be caused if the system stopped responding, crashed, or lost power unexpectedly.

Event Xml:

">schemas.microsoft.com/.../event">

41

2

1

63

0

0x8000000000000002

6160

System

Aleksey-PC

0

0x0

false

0

DELL-Manpreet C · Answer

Thank you for the response.

Please share this information to discern the issue:

Did you try to update BIOS? Was it successful?
Does the computer overheat?
Do you hear any noise from the fan?
Does the system restart automatically after the unexpected shutdown?
Do you get any Blue Screen errors?

Observe the system in Safe Mode with Networking (tap F8 at Dell logo and use the down arrow key highlight 'Safe Mode with Networking' in Advanced Boot Options) and BIOS in different ways:

Only on Battery power.
Only on AC power.
With the battery and AC Adapter connected.

I am also sending you a friend request; please accept it and send me the Service Tag and account information through private message. Please do not share the Service tag in the open forum. I will check the warranty status, system configuration and help you accordingly.

Please share the information and the results.

asifsound · Answer

This issue is a very famous as 'Kernel Power id 41 problem' in Desktop PC world. It happens in win7 only. In Japan, we say 'kp41 problem' simply. It's not fixed, yet. Many challenge had done by many people, but their efforts are not rewarded. I think this problem is OS bug. cf. KP41 is Battery management bug http://www5d.biglobe.ne.jp/~the_imai/etymology/kp41_en2.html   For ad-hoc action, I recommend to switch the Power Option battery setting  dynamically by powercfg batch job. I think, This bug fixed official activity is responsible to Microsoft.

Locked Topics – Laptops General

My laptop shuts down unexpectedly when it's on AC. Please help!

Was this post helpful?