XPS L501x randomly getting into sleep mode

Hi DJSergius,

Please click on the link below to troubleshoot random shutdown issues.

http://dell.to/165oQPO 

As we understand from your post, the system shuts down randomly sometimes on startup and sometimes after a few hours. We would also request you to run a hardware diagnostics on your computer to determine exact point of failure. Try entering the System Setup by tapping F2 continously on startup. Let the computer remain on this screen for some time. Does it shut down after some time when in the system setup/BIOS screen? You mentioned you have removed kilos of dust from the computer. Dust is harmful for the computer as it does not allow heat and air to pass through. 

Click on this link for steps on how to run the built-in diagnostics: http://dell.to/1fpz0Dm

 You can also click on the link below for a Youtube video on how to run hardware diagnostics on your computer:

http://dell.to/16n5ol2

Please reply with results.

Thanks & regards,
Babita S
#iworkforDell
To know more about Dell Product Support, Drivers & Downloads, Order & Dispatch status -> choose your region ->
US Customers; UK Customers; India Customers. For Dell support videos click Here

Thank you for your answer, 

I ran different tests, hardware tests, system tests, System Mechanic, some special applications to check and record the variation of temperature. 

With reference to the dust, we are talking about the normal dust that the same fun sucks from the bottom. I mean, normal dust that it accumulates after a couple of years of use. I have never used the laptop in a dirty environment nor the beach or any other places were dust or sand could harm the laptop.

I also checked many times the Bios and I also have been playing a bit with the  Power Management. 

All the drivers have been updated.

And the laptop still goes to sleep mode at any time. 
One day I left the laptop working, playing HD videos and rendering very heavy 3D images for 12 hours and nothing happened.  
Today I turned on just to listen to some music and It went to sleeping mode 4 times.

Hi Djsergius,

Thank you for your reply.

Please update the BIOS on your Dell XPS L501X by clicking on the link below.

http://dell.to/1hIOChU

Click on this Youtube link for a video on how to update your Dell PC's BIOS in 99 Seconds:  http://dell.to/1fGmlNu

Follow instructions mentioned below prior to the BIOS update.

• Ensure that the AC Adapter is connected to the computer prior to the BIOS update.
• Disconnect any third party peripherals connected to the computer before performing BIOS update.
• Remove any cd/dvd from the optical drive prior to the BIOS update.
• Do not turn off the computer during the BIOS update.
• Do not restart the computer during the BIOS update.
• Ensure battery charge is more than 10% during BIOS update.

Note: Plug your computer to a good, working wall jack before you update the BIOS. If you experience a loss of AC power or a significant voltage sag/spike during the BIOS flash, you will either have to replace the BIOS chip or motherboard.

Please reply if you have further queries, we would be happy to help.

Thanks & regards,
Babita S
#iworkforDell
To know more about Dell Product Support, Drivers & Downloads, Order & Dispatch status -> choose your region ->
US Customers; UK Customers; India Customers. For Dell support videos click Here

Hi, thank you for that. 

The bios was updated 2 weeks ago to A08 version and is still the same.

I switched on the laptop I pressed F12 and I ran all the tests.  The system couldn't find any problems.

The other thing I 've done is to leave the laptop on the BIOS scree for a couple of hours and everything looked fine. The laptop didn't go to sleep mode.

The other thing I noticed is that when I ran all the F12 tests the laptop didn't go to sleep mode either.  

I don't know what to do now. I need the laptop for DJing and the problem continues.

I am starting to think that the problem should be related to Windows 7.

I've been using this laptop for more than 2 years and I never had a problem like that.

Hi DJSergius,

Thank you for your reply.

Please check the power management settings in your computer. Since the system does not shut down when in the System Setup screen, the issue could be software-related. You may try to re-format your computer in order to resolve the issue.

Back up all important data on an external storage device and reformat the computer.

 How to restore your Windows 7 computer to factory settings:  http://dell.to/17XlphY

How to manually reinstall Windows 7 on a Dell computer: http://dell.to/19JBaWj

Please keep us posted on the results.

Thanks & regards,
Babita S
#iworkforDell
To know more about Dell Product Support, Drivers & Downloads, Order & Dispatch status -> choose your region ->
US Customers; UK Customers; India Customers. For Dell support videos click Here

You won't believe it but one of the things that I did last week is to change the hard drive. I installed a new one and a fresh installation of Windows 7... and still with the same problem. 

Last night I was editing a video and the laptop went to Sleep Mode four times. 

That is so annoying and I cannot find the solution.

Is there any way that we could deactivate the Sleep Mode?  
What  I mean is, if the sleep mode doesn't exist what on earth the laptop or Windows 7 is going to do? Crash??? Blue screeen???

Hi DJSergius,

Thank you for your reply.

You can change the power management settings on your computer so that it does not sleep. Under Power Options, you need to select the option for "Change when the computer sleeps"  and change it to "Never". Click on the links below for screenshots and steps for doing so.

How to disable Power Management in Windows 7 on your Dell PC: http://dell.to/1cRWu33

Microsoft Power management:  http://dell.to/1bv9bwR

Please keep us posted on the results so that we may assist you further.

Thanks & regards,
Babita S
#iworkforDell
To know more about Dell Product Support, Drivers & Downloads, Order & Dispatch status -> choose your region ->
US Customers; UK Customers; India Customers. For Dell support videos click Here

Sure. Send me your email & we can set a time. 

Dave

Hey Dave, I'm having the same issue right now and it's pissing me off badly, I called support and they wanted to charge me one hundred dollars for a technician to go to my house. I was following your steps but I have no "Power smart energy savings". Any chance you could help me? 

Hi Dave,i have the same problem and  i don`t see "power saving..."can you tell me HOW or send me a screenshot?Thanks in advance.

Hi,

did you solve the problem?

I also can't seem to find smart batery saving.