My computer is turning off by itself!!

Question

Please I need help my computer is crazy it turns off by itself and the strange thing that it happends like at first it turns off then I turn it on again and it turns off again after like 5 minutes then I turn it on again and it's ok it doesn't turns off for a long time I really don't get it please help me. I don't know if its the battery or any program and it can't be virus or spyware because I have a very strong program called Zone Labs..

salinsp · Answer

Don't know what model you have, but this is a common problem for 5100, 5150, and one other. Use the search box at the *bottom* of this page to search for 'design flaw' or 'shutdown' and you should find a 5-page thread about this. You may also be able to search for my name, 'Salinsp', as I started that thread - not sure. Just don't believe those who say it only takes a can of air to resolve. Good luck!

gopmaddy · Answer

LET ME JUST SAY IT'S NOT JUST YOU!!!   I have finally had it up to HERE with my laptop performance.  I had not really gotten too worried about the shut downs and fan temp and have been trying for months (since December 2004 AT LEAST) to figure out the problem with no avail.  I despise Dell already and completely forgot abouot the website until just a few hours ago and have been reading all about everyone else's similar woes.   What should I do?  There are so many options.  What works for one, does not work for another.  I do NOT want to have to pay for Dell to fix my computer, in fact I'd rather get the money back for it and buy something that WORKS.   I was given my Dell Inspiron 5150 as a graduation present last May, and the computer did not start having problems terribly with the shut downs until November or December of 04.  I have since then not had as many problems because I have been propping it to allow more airflow, but it has quit working again!!   I was considering buying a cooldown station for my laptop, blowing air into constantly, etc. but now that I read this I want to get Dell to 'fix'...no...FIX this.   I'm just frustrated.  If anyone wouldn't mind speaking with me directly on this matter I'd really appreciate it, maybe even salinsp and their great knowledge!!!  Oh dear.   ANYONE?!?!   Thank you!!!!!!!!   PS - I even reloaded everything on my computer in January, cleaned out the fan, etc. and started out with a practically brand new system just to see.  It's gotten worse FASTER THIS TIME!

gopmaddy · Answer

By the way...were the shut offs ever blue screened error messages?  Or is that just a lovely function of MYYY laptop?

gopmaddy · Answer

Thank you so much!

So you use the vacuum on a regular setting after blowing air?? Sorta confused on this lol.

Well, thank you very much for your input I have calmed down slightly haha. I am contacting Dell tomorrow before I go to work, I found the independent site...and I've seen this problem mentioned EVERYWHERE.

I downloaded the software that monitors your CPU temp and mine has fluctuated the past 2 hours or so between 50 and 75 degrees C. I'm fairly certain that is BAD. Ha. Dell owes me. BIG.

My warranty went out April 28th, so I'm on about 14 months. And don't worry, I will be sure to attack them with a plethora of information on this subject. I guess no more leaving my laptop on at night...it used to wake me up anyways when the fan would turn on high. Geez.

By the way, I love how in the manual it reads that "Heat is normal and a fan making loud noises is a regular thing and not to mess with the fan speed." If only they had someone intelligent design the computer and write that manual...this problem wouldn't even exist.

This computer inspires me to...well...I've said it before and I'll say it again, "Throw this retar*** piece of sheet metal out the window!!"

salinsp · Answer

Gopmaddy, I am so sorry to hear you have joined our ranks. I am not a computer geek, just someone who has always tried to understand and maintain her own computers (and thanks for not assuming I was a guy). I have given all the advice and knowledge I have in various posts on the Forum. (I do recommend a good (household) vacuum cleaner upholstery brush applied to the FAN COVER, not the exit, rather than buying cans of air! Vacuum in the opposite direction they tell you to blow air - but this is only AFTER you get your Dell parts replaced.)

Just a reminder that I did get Dell to cover an out of warranty repair (in Jan 05, 16 months) by a combination of persistence and gathering all the information that I could find about this problem, including the independent website devoted to it (the site is posted several times on the Forum - try searching for fan and program or website). Once I found that others had the same problem, I made it clear that I would not give up. Next step would have been letters to everyone I could find at Dell.

I posted all I could on the Forum to help others. We all can help if we make a big deal of this, and enough of a pain to Dell that next time, maybe they will send a special notice - at the very least! - when a design flaw becomes apparent.

Please keep up your efforts to get Dell to repair your system! Good luck.

(BTW, I now regularly vacuum not only the intake on my Inspiron 5150, but also my "desktop" that sits on the floor, front and back. I never saw dust bunnies around these places when I cleaned, but now I know it can be inside and not be visible.)

Added: I found out how to find all other posts by me on this (or anyone else on their topics): Click on my icon, then in middle of profile click on something close to "Show all posts by this person."

Message Edited by salinsp on 06-06-2005 09:33 PM

salinsp · Answer

I always use the vacuum accessory, the upholstery brush (has a round rim of brushes around the central hole of the wand, so you can put the brush up against things without scratching them), to clean fans and grills. I don't use air at all. The guys seem to blow air in "backwards", through the exhaust grate, and I vacuum from the fan side - same airflow pattern.

Always good to calm down and breathe a bit! I think your computer can be saved...

(And no, my shut-downs were not blue-screen errors, they were just totally sudden, without-warning power outages that always occurred when I was doing a resource-intensive job.)

Message Edited by salinsp on 06-06-2005 11:53 PM

gopmaddy · Answer

Yeah I think the blue screens are some sort of BIOS mess up somewhere, which may be related to this but may be because my motherboard is F'd up or something.   I plan to write an article on this (I write for a newspaper) and it will be on google news alerts.  I hope to do this by the end of the week, but may not get to it until next week.    My computer is handling alright, sitting around 59 C...woohoo.  Anyways, thanks for the tip on the vacuum and air combo...I also have a PT at Staples so I can pick up cans of air today, I'm sure I will need quite a few....   Thanks for everything, and if you see any other worth websites that I can use let me know...since amateur information is all we have to go by from the web.

MonaZ · Answer

I am SOOOOO frustrated with Dell myself.  I will NEVER buy another 'Dull'.  After several weeks of trying to call - I've gotten nowhere - except repair bills.  My system is barely two years old and continuously shuts down due to overheating.  They WILL NOT sell a new part - ONLY used (refurbished) parts - then you have to wait over a week to receive the replacement part.  After being so frustrated, and asking several people (at least 12-13) to speak with a supervisor, of course I never could speak with one.  I have had it with DULL - they DO NOT stand behind their product!!  Is this worth $1,500????  I'm so sick of this!

gopmaddy · Answer

I think we can all agree.  Let's beat them up...with...our computers/pieces of..._ _ _ _   Any takers?   PS - I am serious about writing an article about this that will show up all over the internet.  :smileyhappy:

MonaZ · Answer

I would love to do that too!  If I had known about this forum before I purchased my Inspiron 5100 - I would never have bought this system.  Shame on me for not investigating more before purchasing.

gopmaddy · Answer

Yeah I feel the same way.  Wish I had known about all of this 14 months ago.  Well, let's at least warn the rest of the possible Dell-buyers.

MonaZ · Answer

I have a very lengthy transcript of a chat with technical support from yesterday evening, which is actually entertaining. In case you are interested, here it is: (Sorry for the long post)

The session has been accepted.
{MONA ZAR 7:11:45 PM}I AM SO FRUSTRATED WITH DELL! IT IS RIDICULOUS THAT YOU SHOULD PAY SO MUCH FOR A SYSTEM - AND THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT STAND BEHIND IT! IF YOU WILL REVIEW THE FORUMS WHICH I AM SURE YOU ARE ALREADY AWARE THE INSPIRON 5100 HAS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM OF OVERHEATING. OBVIOUSLY THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW. I AM SO FRUSTRATED THAT NOT ONLY DO I HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS REPLACEMENT PART AND CANNOT OBTAIN A NEW PART AND... CANNOT RECEIVE A DELIVERY DATE....AND HAVE TO BE DOWN FOR ANOTHER WEEK WHILE WAITING....WHY SHOULD ANYONE PURCHASE A DELL SYSTEM??? THIS IS COMPLETELY UNBELIEVABLE! I HAVE SPENT SEVERAL HOURS TRYING TO REACH A COMPETENT PERSON WHO CAN HELP ME TO NO AVAIL. ALL I'VE RECEIVE IS TRANSFERS BETWEEN 15-20 PEOPLE - I'VE LOST COUNT. NO ONE CAN HELP. YOU PEOPLE ARE PATHETIC! WHY HASN'T A RECALL BEEN ISSUED ON THIS LAPTOP? YOU OBVIOUSLY KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEM! {MADHAV_DAVE 7:11:50 PM}Thank you for contacting Dell Consumer Technical Chat Support for Portables. My name is Madhav. Please give me a minute to review your question and in the mean time can you please give the system shipping address and the telephone number. {MONA ZAR 7:13:07 PM}For about the twentieth or so time - the shipping address WAS xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx {MADHAV_DAVE 7:13:32 PM}Thank you for the information. {MADHAV_DAVE 7:14:39 PM}Mona I can understand your concern and I will try my best to help you out in the issue. {MADHAV_DAVE 7:16:55 PM}Mona may I know did you tried to clean the fan vents and download the M1004 patch for the system? {MONA ZAR 7:17:59 PM}the system is now in pieces - the fan assembly has been removed for replacement. As i was told in my last chat with tech support - replace the fan assembly! What is this M1004 patch? Why was this not mentioned before?? {MONA ZAR 7:18:32 PM}and, yes, the fan vents were cleaned - and were not found to be corroded, or dirty. {MADHAV_DAVE 7:19:20 PM}Mona may I know did you tried to remove the Fan on your own? {MONA ZAR 7:19:40 PM}a friend who is very computer literate has the fan removed and ready for replacement. {MONA ZAR 7:20:24 PM}she downloaded the instructions from dell on the replacement instructions. {MADHAV_DAVE 7:23:03 PM}All right Mona, may I know did you ordered for a system fan and heat sink, as it will be necessary for the system to work properly. {MONA ZAR 7:24:10 PM}i suppose so - you tell me - they won't give you part numbers or anything - very secretive - i told them i needed the microprocessor thermal cooling assembly. is that the fan and heat sink???? {MADHAV_DAVE 7:25:30 PM}Yes Mona, it is the Heat sink and processor fan. {MONA ZAR 7:25:55 PM}and - also - what about this download M1004 patch? Would this have alleviated my problem without replacing parts?? {MADHAV_DAVE 7:25:57 PM}May I know if you will need any technician to fix the system back for you? {MONA ZAR 7:27:11 PM}NO - I do not need a technician to fix this for me! I've already invested tooooooo much money into this system that doesn't last more than two years! So - what is Dell's point of view on this "Design Flaw"? - And - all the problems mentioned in the Forums???? {MONA ZAR 7:28:02 PM}Nobody will answer my question - why isn't Dell standing behind this very common problem???? Where can I get this answer?? {MONA ZAR 7:29:15 PM}And - you still haven't answered me - what is this M1004 Patch that wasn't mentioned before?? {MADHAV_DAVE 7:29:47 PM}Mona, I do apologize for the inconvenience , however the M1004 patch is used for the system which gets hot. {MONA ZAR 7:30:49 PM}Well - that explains a lot! Is this a resolution to my problem without replacement of parts???? And - WHY wasn't this mentioned before, again, I ask?? {MADHAV_DAVE 7:32:36 PM}Mona this patch only lessens the processors burden while making it less hot. {MONA ZAR 7:33:23 PM}So - is this a fix? Still no answer to my question - do you still need replacement parts? {MONA ZAR 7:33:56 PM}Do I have to find the answer by having the system reassembled, download this supposed patch, and find no cure??? {MONA ZAR 7:34:10 PM}Then - back to square one - and another week down time?? {MADHAV_DAVE 7:34:27 PM}Please give me a moment so that I can provide you the best possible resolution. {MONA ZAR 7:36:01 PM}I'm sorry, but I can't understand how a patch can prevent the bottom of the unit from becoming fire hot when in use?? Is the system going to be running so slow that it is inefficient? {MONA ZAR 7:38:32 PM}Also, if you will note from previous chats, I've been running a cooling unit from the base of the system, with 2 external fans, and the unit was STILL overheating and shutting down. {MADHAV_DAVE 7:39:57 PM}Mona please try to understand that the M1004 patch will just help the system processor to work properly and efficiently. {MADHAV_DAVE 7:40:46 PM}However you will need the System fan and heat sink for the system so that it may not get too much hot. {MONA ZAR 7:41:46 PM}Ok - so the original fan and heat sink system are probably defective? After only 2 years??? Common problem, correct?? {MADHAV_DAVE 7:42:04 PM}Yes Mona, that is true. {MONA ZAR 7:42:18 PM}If Dell had notified the consumers about this patch, would this have saved thousands of consumers from this problem???? {MADHAV_DAVE 7:42:33 PM}Mona let me provide you the link for the patch. {MONA ZAR 7:43:09 PM}So - if you agree that this is a common problem - then, why isn't Dell providing a recall on this part?? {MADHAV_DAVE 7:43:10 PM} http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/format.aspx?releaseid=R49285&c=us&l=en&s=bsd&cs=04
Please follow this link and download the M1004 patch for the system. {MADHAV_DAVE 7:44:55 PM}Mona please try to understand that I am just a technician and I have my limitations, however you can contact to customer care for lodging any complaint. {MONA ZAR 7:46:17 PM}Sure - that's what i've been trying to do. You can never get anywhere with customer care. You can never get a supervisor. You just get transferred around for hours. So - basically, customer care is useless! How can you really get someone in management with Dell??? {MONA ZAR 7:48:12 PM}Customer Care is just a joke!!!! You only have to give your service tag number, name, address and telephone number about 50 times - and get nowhere! {MADHAV_DAVE 7:48:57 PM}Mona, as I am a technician I can only handel the issue related to the technical aspect of the system. {MONA ZAR 7:50:07 PM}Then - why have you been wasting my time when I presented my issue in the beginning????? {MADHAV_DAVE 7:51:01 PM}Mona I was just trying to help you in the issue as much as I can. As I could understand your frustration. {MADHAV_DAVE 7:55:39 PM}Is there anything else I can assist you with? {MONA ZAR 7:57:41 PM}Yes - you can provide me a manager or supervisor to speak with? Or should I just post this conversation in the forums?? {MONA ZAR 7:59:05 PM}Or - how about a lemon web page about Dell Inspiron? {MONA ZAR 7:59:24 PM}it could actually link over to the forum comments about this design flaw. {MADHAV_DAVE 8:02:00 PM}Mona please try to understand that this is a technical support chat session and we wont be able to help you to help in the issue. {MADHAV_DAVE 8:02:30 PM}We are here to support the troubleshooting of the system. {MONA ZAR 8:03:31 PM}Well, then why weren't these suggestions mentions during my first chats about the overheating/shutdown issues? {MONA ZAR 8:04:49 PM}Why was I told to just replace the parts? Why wasn't I told about a possible patch? Just another way for Dell to make money??? {MADHAV_DAVE 8:08:24 PM}Mona I do apologize for the inconvenience caused due to this issue, however you will have to purchase the Fan and heat sink for the system as the issue is with the system Fan and the heat sink. {MONA ZAR 8:10:23 PM}Thank you for nothing again, Madhav. Another hour wasted with Dell, to no avail. My initial contact an hour ago was requesting a supervisor, or a resolution to my problem, and once again, no resolution, as usual with Dell. {MONA ZAR 8:11:09 PM}Obsiously, Dell believes that consumers have nothing better to do than spend a day on the phone/chat/etc with them. This is REALLY bad business!! {MADHAV_DAVE 8:12:33 PM}Mona is there any technical issue in which I can help you? {MONA ZAR 8:13:15 PM}obviously i've taken care of that on my own. thank you and have a WONDERFUL night (sarcastic). The visitor has ended the chat session.
{MADHAV_DAVE 8:13:46 PM}Thank you for contacting Dell Consumer Technical Chat Support for Portables. It was a pleasure to assist you. Have a great day.

gopmaddy · Answer

That's...amazing. Do they have customer care chat sessions??  Do they have a customer care sector of the company?  LOL

MonaZ · Answer

If they do - they certainly don't publicize it.  Can you believe the context of this chat??  They really do not support their product, do they?   Even AFTER admitting that there is a problem, and there is possibly a patch to fix it, they still don't even issue any kind of recall OR notice to the consumers of a possible resolution.  I just still simply can't believe this!!!   Mona

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My computer is turning off by itself!!

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