notebook powers off by itself...constantly.

I have the same problem. It first happened a few weeks ago, and now 3 times yesterday. I have no warning and my laptop turns off (not shutsdown) and I have lost all my data. This happens when i have the battery in and the adapter plugged in. I turn the laptop back on and it does a scan disk and works fine for a few hours then turns off again.

I believe the problem is due to and old battery because I took the battery out and I havent had anyproblems YET. If the problem is due to an old battery, why would it turnoff even with the power plug in (while the battery is in ) ?

 

All,

Thank you for using the Dell Community Forum.

The battery is part of the power system of your Inspiron and a bad battery can cause many unusual problems.  Try running the system without the battery in the system to see if this corrects the problem.

Please check the charge directly on the battery, using the button and lights on the back of the battery.  If any of the lights flash, or if alternate lights come on, then the battery needs to be replaced.

Please test the battery in the media bay.

 

I am experiencing the same problem.  It powers off by itself all the time.  Most of the time you can't even get it booted up.  It does this behavior whether the battery is inserted or not.

The suggestions I've found in the forums have not helped, is there any Dell moderator out there that can tackle this problem?  I see a lot of posts about this problem but very little solutions.  Just pulling batteries out and unplugging and replugging is not solving the problem.

Paneolo

Anyone find a solution?

Yes! I too have this problem.  I thought it was a virus, but the latest virus scans find nothing.  I now suspect it to be a hardware problem.

The power-off thing happens every couple of hours or so.  I first noticed it about 6 months ago. For a while, it was happening so often that the machine wouldn't even boot up.  Then I removed the battery and charger, waited a bit, put it all back in (same battery) and things worked fine (for a while).

It's an old battery (3 years), and it doesn't last more than half an hour without being recharged.  I will replace it and see what happens.

I too am having this problem.

My computer shuts down whenever I take the ac adapter out or within 3 minutes of battery start up..when things do work..I only have about 15 minutes before I get a shut down. Dell Support has been about as helpful as they can be...and that hasnt been much. Any ideas? Are returning it my best option?

Having same problem on Inspiron 600M.  Just started this week.  For past 6 months unit was always run using power adaptor, never ran on battery.  Now getting frequent shutdowns.  Frequently will not reboot for a few minutes.  More likely to reboot without power adaptor attached.

If running without power adaptor on normal battery, still get frequent shutdowns within 10 minutes of operation, but battery says it is 60% charged (lights on battery unit itself).

Have also noticed that cannot restart at all if power adaptor is plugged in.  If power adaptor is not plugged in, then it may restart after a few minutes.  If power adaptor is plugged in while running on battery, it shuts down immediately.

I seem to be running OK with module battery pack, ran for half hour without shut down, but it cannot be charged because cannot run with power adaptor attached.  Sounds obvious to me that at least the adaptor is bad, but I am afraid that it has also damaged the batteries.  Will talk with live tech support person (I hope) to see about replacement of these parts.

 

Hi, have the same problem here just started 2 days ago and my 4150 is less than 6 months old. the battery seems fine cause there is no alternating or blinking lights and it is fully charged the laptop just shuts itself down whether on battery or on AC power with the battery both in and removed.... is it due to a dodgy power supply??

I just posted a new message explaining what I did to fix this.....look it up..It will help alot

Subject: Try this, it will fix most power problems!!!

---

@SaraBlu wrote:

I just posted a new message explaining what I did to fix this.....look it up..It will help alot

Subject: Try this, it will fix most power problems!!!

---

Thanks SaraBlu, but how about including a link  to your explanation (like this one for Macro Scheduler, my favorite utility.)?  Should be easier for us to find it. 

Never mind, I just included it for you right here: Subject: Try this, it will fix most power problems!!! 

My talk today with Tech Support has resulted in returning system to factory for repair.  Initial diagnosis after 2 hours of phone diagnosis is possible heat/fan problem.  This, after removing all components including Hard Drive, Memory, Primary Battery, empty Media slot.  Unit going back with primary battery, spare Media slot battery, and AC power adaptor.  Hard Drive staying here, no units available for swapping while at factory, do not support system swaps, expected to be gone for 3-4 weeks.  Perhaps your solution will save me that time?

=======================

Just read your message.  Your solution was to replace the Hard Drive.  I doubt if that will work for me.  I could not even power up system with all components (inclucing hard drive) removed.  Should be able to power up and do POST even without hard drive.

But I will keep this in mind when system is returned from "repair" center in case I still have the problem.   Stay tuned....... 

 

Message Edited by Bob Hansen on 12-11-2003 06:53 PM