Dell XPS L501X shutting down randomly

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

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!!

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.

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

I hope that fixed it. I should probably grab a cooling pad. Thanks for the help!

Hello  RockSt☆r-Rick K,

How do I check which one I have?

Hope this helps!

Host Name:                 JOHN-LAPTOP
OS Name:                   Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 
OS Version:                6.1.7601 Service Pack 1 Build 7601
OS Manufacturer:           Microsoft Corporation
OS Configuration:          Standalone Workstation
OS Build Type:             Multiprocessor Free
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Original Install Date:     7/7/2013, 12:08:09 PM
System Boot Time:          7/14/2013, 9:23:53 PM
System Manufacturer:       Dell Inc.
System Model:              XPS L501X  
System Type:               x64-based PC
Processor(s):              1 Processor(s) Installed.
                           [01]: Intel64 Family 6 Model 30 Stepping 5 GenuineIntel ~1734 Mhz
BIOS Version:              Dell Inc. A08, 7/26/2011
Windows Directory:         C:\Windows
System Directory:          C:\Windows\system32
Boot Device:               \Device\HarddiskVolume3
System Locale:             en-us;English (United States)
Input Locale:              en-us;English (United States)
Time Zone:                 (UTC-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada)
Total Physical Memory:     8,124 MB
Available Physical Memory: 5,840 MB
Virtual Memory: Max Size:  16,247 MB
Virtual Memory: Available: 13,655 MB
Virtual Memory: In Use:    2,592 MB
Page File Location(s):     C:\pagefile.sys
Domain:                    WORKGROUP
Logon Server:              \\JOHN-LAPTOP
Hotfix(s):                 138 Hotfix(s) Installed.
                           [01]: KB2764913
                           [02]: KB2764916
                           [03]: KB2718695
                           [04]: KB2670838
                           [05]: KB971033
                           [06]: KB2479943
                           [07]: KB2484033
                           [08]: KB2488113
                           [09]: KB2491683
                           [10]: KB2506014
                           [11]: KB2506212
                           [12]: KB2506928
                           [13]: KB2509553
                           [14]: KB2511250
                           [15]: KB2511455
                           [16]: KB2515325
                           [17]: KB2522422
                           [18]: KB2529073
                           [19]: KB2532531
                           [20]: KB2533552
                           [21]: KB2536275
                           [22]: KB2536276
                           [23]: KB2541014
                           [24]: KB2544893
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                           [27]: KB2552343
                           [28]: KB2560656
                           [29]: KB2563227
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                           [50]: KB2656411
                           [51]: KB2658846
                           [52]: KB2659262
                           [53]: KB2660075
                           [54]: KB2660649
                           [55]: KB2661254
                           [56]: KB2667402
                           [57]: KB2676562
                           [58]: KB2685811
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                           [61]: KB2690533
                           [62]: KB2691442
                           [63]: KB2698365
                           [64]: KB2699779
                           [65]: KB2705219
                           [66]: KB2706045
                           [67]: KB2709630
                           [68]: KB2712808
                           [69]: KB2718704
                           [70]: KB2719857
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                           [74]: KB2729452
                           [75]: KB2732059
                           [76]: KB2732487
                           [77]: KB2732500
                           [78]: KB2736422
                           [79]: KB2741355
                           [80]: KB2742599
                           [81]: KB2743555
                           [82]: KB2749655
                           [83]: KB2750841
                           [84]: KB2753842
                           [85]: KB2756921
                           [86]: KB2757638
                           [87]: KB2758857
                           [88]: KB2761217
                           [89]: KB2762895
                           [90]: KB2763523
                           [91]: KB2769369
                           [92]: KB2770660
                           [93]: KB2773072
                           [94]: KB2779562
                           [95]: KB2785220
                           [96]: KB2786081
                           [97]: KB2786400
                           [98]: KB2789645
                           [99]: KB2790113
                           [100]: KB2790655
                           [101]: KB2791765
                           [102]: KB2798162
                           [103]: KB2799926
                           [104]: KB2803821
                           [105]: KB2804579
                           [106]: KB2807986
                           [107]: KB2808679
                           [108]: KB2808735
                           [109]: KB2813170
                           [110]: KB2813347
                           [111]: KB2813430
                           [112]: KB2813956
                           [113]: KB2817183
                           [114]: KB2820197
                           [115]: KB2820331
                           [116]: KB2829361
                           [117]: KB2830290
                           [118]: KB2832414
                           [119]: KB2833946
                           [120]: KB2834140
                           [121]: KB2834886
                           [122]: KB2835361
                           [123]: KB2835364
                           [124]: KB2836502
                           [125]: KB2836942
                           [126]: KB2836943
                           [127]: KB2839894
                           [128]: KB2840149
                           [129]: KB2840631
                           [130]: KB2844286
                           [131]: KB2845187
                           [132]: KB2845690
                           [133]: KB2847927
                           [134]: KB2850851
                           [135]: KB958488
                           [136]: KB976902
                           [137]: KB976932
                           [138]: KB982018
Network Card(s):           5 NIC(s) Installed.
                           [01]: Intel(R) Centrino(R) Advanced-N 6200 AGN
                                 Connection Name: Wireless Network Connection
                                 DHCP Enabled:    Yes
                                 DHCP Server:     172.17.104.1
                                 IP address(es)
                                 [01]: 172.17.107.77
                                 [02]: fe80::f81b:7c0d:6df2:b68d
                           [02]: Microsoft Virtual WiFi Miniport Adapter
                                 Connection Name: Wireless Network Connection 2
                                 Status:          Media disconnected
                           [03]: Microsoft Virtual WiFi Miniport Adapter
                                 Connection Name: Wireless Network Connection 3
                                 Status:          Media disconnected
                           [04]: Realtek PCIe GBE Family Controller
                                 Connection Name: Local Area Connection
                                 Status:          Media disconnected
                           [05]: Bluetooth Device (Personal Area Network)
                                 Connection Name: Bluetooth Network Connection
                                 Status:          Media disconnected

mojojojo747,

Can you run Finding System Information REMOVE YOUR PRODUCT ID and REGISTERED OWNER and post the information back here.

Rick

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!

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

Thanks for your help!

I think the heat may have been the culprit. We'll wait and see.

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?

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