Random shutdowns

Hi,

I'm after getting an Inspiron 8000 that just randomly shuts down whenever it feels like it.
I don't think it's overheating, as sometimes it happens just after startup. This seems to be happening only whan it's connected to the AC power adapter. It happens especially outside windows ie. DOS or in the BIOS.

Eventually, after much trepidation, I managed to reflash the BIOS to A23, but still have the same problems.
When the system is powered on from the AC, the fans seem to go into turbo speed, but eventually calm down on reaching windows. Again at shutdown, as soon as 'shutdown' is clicked on the screen, the fans kick back up into turbo again.

Anyhoo, the main thing is that I'm never sure when this thing is going to just shutdown while I'm in the middle of something. This makes this laptop just about unusable.

Can anyone give me any help/ideas?

 

liek i have suggested to others, ill suggest it to you too. Id call dell

 

open it up and see if it's clogged with dust. if so, it can overheat very quickly that way as well as conduct electricity between two points where it shouldn't.

if it's really bad, time for a new mb/computer.

 

I had an Emachines M6809 with almost the same problem you described. I ended up finding the cpu covered with dust, cleaned it, and it never had the problem again.

 

I third the "dust-check". If you have a build-up of dust inside your notebook, I suggest cleaning it out with a can of compressed air (Dust-Off works well IMO).

 

I'll needlessly post and agree with the last three callers. Open the notebook an check for dust. Blow it out if needed. You can get a can or two of compressed air good and cheap at Target. The problem may be do to the dust or it may actually be overheating do to the desk. The symtoms your describe are simular to that of my old laptop which would randomly shut down do to overheating.

 

Yeh I here you about the dust thing, but would that explain why it shutsdown 20 seconds after turning it on if I'm not in windows? Once I let it load to windows it seems OK.
The other thing is that I've had it down to the mobo, I've had the CPU out and everything looks good.

It was mainly happening on AC power, but now, if I let it get to windows on the battery and then connect the AC, it seems to run fine! Hmm.

Anyhoo, I like the size and proportions of this laptop. (I'm gonna start complaining about my new E1705 now...)