1. When your laptop powered off after 30min. were you connected to AC or battery power?

2. Does this problem occur on both AC power and battery power?

I have tried everything: (Before returning the laptop to the depot- a tech had me run several tests with the ac adapter as well as the battery.  Sometimes with either and even both, the laptop would not even load the windows xp loading screen, sometimes not even the first DELL screen.  But that was before I formatted the HD, but the now the problem is occuring again.)

I've used JUST the A/C Adapter- sometimes it stays on longer than 30 minutes.  It could be on for days, and then all of a sudden it just powers off.

I've also just used the battery- and like above, sometimes it stays on a little longer than 30 minutes.  But eventually it will turn off.

I've used both, like yesterday, I had some recent windows updates, I rebooted my computer.  And I went to dinner and came back, and it had powered off. 

Right now i'm just using the AC Adapter, and my laptop has managed to stay on over night.  But I have a feeling it will power off sometime today.  I really have no clue as to what is going on.

Thanks for responding.

Do you have the latest BIOS downloaded from the Dell website and installed?

Here are some people who have the same problem as you...there is one individual with an 1100 having the EXACT same problem.  Maybe you two should talk:

http://forums.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=insp_power&message.id=21372

andykb said...

I have a Inspiron 1100 and have had similar problems.

The computer has simply powered off 4 or 5 times in the last month or so, with no rhyme or reason.

Today it powered off again and wouldn't power up again properly - it would get to the 'select profile' bit and die again.  It repeated this at least 10 times, until it finally let me in anfter I had held the power button down for 15 seconds or so.  After doing a backup (big sigh of relief) I have now shut it down to let it cool down, just in case it was overheating.

Is this a realistic possibility?

Message Edited by GSMan300 on 10-17-2003 12:57 PM

Message Edited by GSMan300 on 10-17-2003 12:57 PM

I do not know how to run and update BIOS.  But i do know that BIOS was updated when my laptop was returned to the depot.  That was almost a month ago.  Should i update it?  Is it difficult?

Thanks- Andrea

Due these random power-offs occur morewhen the CPU is under a heavy load? If so you could try downloading a program called PRIME95 search for it in google. Then from the options menu choose Tortue Test and the maximum heat option. If after less than 10 mins your laptop powers off firstly check your fan assembly for a blockage or otherwise send it back to Dell and request a new Motherboard.

What is considered a heavy load?  When my laptop usually turns off, it happens when I have AIM running, and i simply do not touch my computer for a matter of 30 minutes and it's off, as far as I know, there are no other programs running.

I downloaded that program and ran it.  The laptop turned off after 10 minutes, or maybe even within 10 minutes.  How do i tell if there is fan blockage?  My laptop just sits on my desk, nothing blocking the vents.  Do you think it is the motherboard?  Is it just OVER-heating and powering off?

Thanks for your suggestions, at least now I have some clue as to what is going on.

  -Andrea

The Fan is ingetrated with the heatsink in your computer, you need to remove your keyboard to get at it.

There are four screws holding your keyboard in place, they are under the Hinge Cover.

There are four screws marked 1 to 4 holding the heatsink in place. I would check that these are screwed down to begin with, if not the heatsink won't be transfering heat away from the CPU properly.

If they are tight you can remove your heatsink by undoing these scews (they don't come out they just loosen) remove the fans power lead and it should just lift out.

Check its not blocked and if you can borrow one from someone else and fit it to see if it helps. Otherwise send it in to Dell again. Hopefully some there will be able to replicate it this time.

Do your fans ever turn on?  The cpu will shut off the notebook if it is getting too hot.  You can test them by booting to the Dell Drivers and Utilities cd and just running the fan tests.

When your computer powers itself off, do you sometimes have a hard time turning it back on? Like, do you only get blinking CAPS LOCK lights and that's it?

Has anything be done about this? My 5100 starting doing this the other day.