Inspirion 5100 - System suddenly shuts off

Question

I have an Inspirion 5100 purchased in December 2003.  For no apparent reason, the system suddenly shuts itself off -- screen goes black and system powers off.  When I try to boot back up, the screen image is very dark...I can see the graphics and icons faintly.  The only way I can bring the system back to normal life is to disconnect the power supply, pull the battery, and reboot.  This generally works, but it's happening with greater frequency. I too thought that it was an overheating problem, but I don't know why the system would suddenly start overheating when it hadn't in the past. Any clues?

Leo_s84 · Answer

Because the 5100 has a design flaw that makes it get dusty in the heatsink, therefore, overheating. Blow some compressed air through the back vent and you should be fine..

Anathorn · Answer

Dell didnt repair anything for me and simply answered me that they didnt know what caused the problem... That was DURING my service still intact. However, now its already passed over a year and I notice more and more and more people with the same problem. I suggest people dont try cleaning it with compressed air, but complain with Dell instead. They sold us a faulty machine, and as such they actually should solve this problem for us, even if you dont have a warranty anymore. If the machine itself is flawed, u shouldnt need a warranty to get a new one or get the flaw fixed.

Leo_s84 · Answer

They have addressed the problem with the new BIOS releases. Not the best but it's something.

Leo_s84 · Answer

If you're on warranty theyll fix it, but if you're not they dont have to.

yangsta · Answer

same thing happened to my 5150..

DELL needs to fess up to their bad LTs and offer to fix our LT's w/ a recall.. they know they have a problem and wont admit it..

would you buy a new car and have to replace the engine a year later out of your pocket??

Cmon, this is a fallacy..!!

slewi77 · Answer

I'm having this problem with my 5150 as well. Often when I am running a particularly challenging application, and sometimes when I just have a big Excel spreadsheet with a lot of macros running, the machine will just spontaneously power off. Sometimes, this is preceded by a significant increase in fan noise, but not always.

I haven't heard anything about a bios release that could affect this. Also, someone suggested blowing compressed air to clean off the fan. Will this do any damage?

mrozeen · Answer

Thanks for all your input. I'm past warranty so I'll probably roll the dice with the compressed air (dumb question #13...where do you buy bottled air...I presume it's not next to the bottled water at the grocery). Also, how does one go about obtaining the new BIOS, or is it not worth the hassle.

M.

Leo_s84 · Answer

The latest bios revisions have something that turn off the fans most of the time to reduce dust buildup. If you blow compressed air through the back you wont need them and i dont recommend that bios anyway.

Anathorn · Answer

The new Bios doesnt do anything for me... But then again, my problems already started. Once you have a problem, the new bios wont do anything at all for you. The compressed air does help according to the Internet, but I dont know if there is also a risk involved. I cant afford a new computer right now. I really think, even out of warranty, Dell shoud recall these machines though.

Pammyyoha · Answer

FIX NEEDED: NEW SYSTEM BOARD

We have a 5150 that powered down for no reason. It got worse and more frequent. We tried resetting the standby options, scanning software for a worm or virus, and running diagnostics from the CD that Dell sends. Nothing helped. I sent it to technical support for repair once (under warranty) because all we had to do was touch it lightly for it to shut down. It came back the first time saying it was fine, but the shut downs continued. I ran diagnostics that tested the hardware and said it was fine. It wasn't. I emailed technical support again, got a reply, and they sent a box again to take it in for warranty work.

The second time, they replaced the system board (motherboard), which would be an expensive fix unless it's under warranty. The symptoms others have like ours is that touching it or opening the CD door, almost anything, would sometimes cause it to shut down. The battery was getting hot to the touch and it wouldn't work always with the battery installed. Taking the battery out would sometimes make it run with just the adapter. Sometimes the computer would work, other times not (it wouldn't stay lit when turned on or would just shut down for no reason). We couldn't depend on it.

It was a major problem for me and took two trips in for warranty work to convince them it has a problem, but they fixed it the second trip with a new system board (motherboard) and an updated BIOS. I see tons of other people on Dell Community Forums under Power Management that have these problems. With the new system board, it doesn't seem to be overheating and it will now charge the battery.

slewi77 · Answer

I vacuumed the fan and exhaust vents, blew canned air through them, and vacuumed again. So far, no sudden shutdowns (and the fan has been running less than normal). I also just picked up a Targus Podium Coolpad, which props up the back of the computer to give better air flow to the underside. Paid $30 for something I could have done with my son's Legos, but it'll be worth it if I can work and not have to restart a dozen times a day.

Leo_s84 · Answer

There is no risk if you blow it through the back with the computer turned off. I've done it a couple of times with both my 5100 and 5160, altough no overheating has gotten to them.

peachwattie · Answer

for Inspiron 5100 overheating:   after you do whatever you can to clean it (compressed air, vac) put it on 4 blocks at the corners to increase circulation.  This has kept mine from overheating.  No, Dell did not tell me this low-tech suggestion, they're still scratching their heads in Calcutta, but it's working so far.  Best to all,

BHStrackie · Answer

Since Dell has basically admitted that there is a flaw in the Inspiron 5100, I think that they have made a mistake in not recalling them. When you buy a notebook, or anything else for that matter, you expect it to be dependable. The fact that we have defected computers isn't are faults, it's the makers of Dell's fault knowing that they have released a defective product and haven't notified the public with this fact. I personally feel that Dell should send us CD's in order to burn our programs and files onto it and then have us return our computers and get a new model in equal pricing. This way, less complaints and the problem is corrected. Dell can reuse the parts from the defective computer to make new ones. I use my Inspiron too much for it to shutdown constantly. I think it's about time Dell took action and responsibility for their mistakes.

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