Hi purplestarz,

Intermittent shutting down of the system happens due to multiple reasons. I suggest you to check if the system is shutting down in BIOS screen, safe mode with networking, also run hardware diagnostics:

Follow the steps below to run hardware diagnostics.

1. Restart the computer.
2. Keep tapping the F12 key on the Dell Logo Screen.
3. From the One time boot menu select Diagnostics and Press Enter.
4. It runs a test on all the hardware components.
5. If it test fails please capture the error code and let me know the error code, I would tell you the next course of action.

First, disconnect any external devices connected to the laptop. If there is a disc present in the optical drive please eject it. Follow the below mentioned steps to troubleshoot the issue:

To check in safe mode with networking follow the below mentioned steps:

1. Restart the computer.
2. Keep tapping F8 on the Dell Logo Screen.
3. Once the computer enters Advanced Boot Option, select Safe Mode with Networking.
4. Press Enter.

Check if the computer is shutting down in safe mode with networking and please include with results in reply.

Please leave the system in BIOS screen and check if the system is shutting down in BIOS screen. To enter BIOS screen, restart the system by tapping F2 at Dell logo.

Please post the results.

I have done the first test and the system has found no problems. I will do the second part later this evening.

tapping f8 does not do anything. It restarts as usual and nothing indicates that I can enter Safe mode with Networking.

Hi purplestarz,

I suggest you to Refresh the system, The Refresh option is primarily a repair method. It is a great method of returning your PC to a known good state while preserving your files and a great deal of your configuration. With the refresh your PC option, user accounts, data files, and some settings are preserved on your PC without the need to create a backup, or make choices about what to keep or remove.

To Refresh windows 8 please follow the below mentioned steps:
1.Open the General section of PC Settings by the key combination WIN KEY + C to open charms bar and click PC Settings.
2.Click the Get started button under Refresh your PC without affecting your files.
3.Click the Next button at the Refresh your PC step of the wizard.
4.You may be prompted to insert installation or recovery media if there is not a recovery image preconfigured on your PC.
5.Click the Refresh button at the Ready to refresh your PC step.
6.At this point, the PC is restarted, and the refresh actions are completed.

Please check and reply for further help.

I have done that now my internet goes out and will not allow me to reconnect unless I completely turn off the computer. I am becoming increasingly annoyed with the brand new laptop and will look into retuning it.