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Dell XPS L501X shutting down randomly
Hey guys,
so my 2 and a half year laptop is just shutting down at random times. There is no warning to it, I'll just be on the web or on skype and it will shut down. This never happened before, I recently did a complete reinstall of windows and full reformatting. I dont know what it could be. Anyone have these issues?
Thanks
Robin3
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July 14th, 2013 15:00
Could be a few things inc faulty HDD, mainboard or overheating.
First thing to do would be to give the vents a good clean out. You can use a can of compressed air to do this. Ensure you follow the instructions on the can and ensure the laptop is switched off and unplugged.
Then do a full diagnostics. Boot to F12 and choose diagnostics. Post back with results
mojojojo747
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July 14th, 2013 18:00
hey Paul,
thanks for the response I appreciate it!!
I cleaned out the vents.The laptop actually runs about 8 degrees cooler now that I cleaned out the vents.
I ran the diagnostic, it passed the first part. when it asked to do more analysis on the memory, i said yes and it did it. Then it asked to boot the diagnostic partition, i said yes. It then told me i was missing that operating system. I did a dell diagnostic online and it passed everything except the bluescreen test where it said my computer had some blue screens and recommended anti virus software and make sure my drivers were updated.
What should I do from here?
Thanks again!!
Robin3
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July 14th, 2013 19:00
Don't worry about the diagnostic partition, it's not present because you've done a clean install of Windows.
Good news about the lower temps. Clean the vents from time to time and consider using the laptop with a laptop cooler pad which may reduce temps further.
Regarding the blue screens. This could be just a case of keeping your systems drivers up to date. Visit Dell support website for updated drivers and bios updates.
Hopefully you shouldn't experience anymore random shutdowns, but if you do then post back for more assistance.
PudgyOne
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July 14th, 2013 19:00
mojojojo747,
May I ask which wireless adapter you have installed? I have the Dell XPS L501x and had overheating issues and traced it to my wireless adapter. I have a solution, if needed.
Rick
mojojojo747
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July 14th, 2013 19:00
I hope that fixed it. I should probably grab a cooling pad. Thanks for the help!
mojojojo747
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July 14th, 2013 20:00
Hello RockSt☆r-Rick K,
How do I check which one I have?
PudgyOne
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July 14th, 2013 20:00
mojojojo747,
Hopefully everything is working properly and no bangs in the device manager. How to Download and Install Drivers in the Correct Order
Go to Drivers & Downloads enter your service tag, selct your operating system. Undder network, download the drivers for Intel(R) Centrino(R) Advanced-N 6200 AGN and save them to your desktop.
Make a system restore point.
Start, control panel, device manager, network adapters, right click on Intel(R) Centrino(R) Advanced-N 6200 AGN, left click uninstall. Tell it to remove the drivers and software.
Restart your computer. When you log back in, the new hardware wizard will try to install the adapter, it may fail. Install the drivers saved to your desktop.
Rick
mojojojo747
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July 14th, 2013 20:00
PudgyOne
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July 14th, 2013 20:00
mojojojo747,
Can you run Finding System Information REMOVE YOUR PRODUCT ID and REGISTERED OWNER and post the information back here.
Rick
mojojojo747
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July 14th, 2013 21:00
Hey Rick,
I did all that, it seems like it installed properly, I guess now we will wait and see if it helps the laptop stay cooler. What kind of temperatures do you see in your L501x when it was overheating and after you solved the issue?
Thanks Rick!
PudgyOne
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July 14th, 2013 22:00
mojojojo747,
The wireless adapter was causing processor spikes and I was getting real hot to touch to the left of the touchpad.
Since installing the drivers in the method, the touchpad was much cooler
Rick
mojojojo747
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July 14th, 2013 22:00
Thanks for your help!
I think the heat may have been the culprit. We'll wait and see.
SpokaneValleyPC
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September 2nd, 2016 14:00
Awesome fixxx!! I went through 3 boards before I read this about faulty Centrino-1000 wireless N adapter. I removed the wifi card and sure enough, the XPS did NOT shut down! I installed another 1000 I had laying around and it still works ok. Is there a compatible wifi card for this XPS that I can switch to?
PudgyOne
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September 5th, 2016 15:00
SpokaneValleyPC,
I used the Intel(R) Centrino(R) Advanced-N 6200 AGN and did have any issues. It still works for the Dell L501x and Windows 10.
Rick