Studio 1558 Shutdown without any warning

so, this has happened twice. Last time I didn't now when it happened as I was not using the laptop for anything.

But just right now, I was listening to music on it and it just shutdown in the middle of all that. Nothing else being done on it.

Any ideas?

 

Get RealTemp and monitor the temperature of your CPU and GPU. Most shutdowns are thermal related. Post your temps once you've run it for a bit.

 

I have that program, below is the sceen capture.



http://i45.tinypic.com/10yexwk.png

 

I got mine today and has rebooted itself two times (the first one being right at first startup right when it finally got to the desktop. Anyone knows whats going on? I'm gonna do a fresh install, but this is really weird.

 

Hasn't happened to me once yet.

I've had one or two BSODs though...

 

If it's not thermal, then the next best suggestion would be a program causing it. Is the shutdown a Windows shutdown or the system just turning off?

 

The system just turning off instantly (not aWindows shutdown) and rebooting

 

I'd recommend reflashing the most current BIOS. How about running the built-in diagnostics at the boot prompt. Press F12 and go to the diagnostics and run those tests.

 

I ran the diagnostics and tried the basic tests and then ran the symptom tree tests like for BSOD and for random shutdowns but everything came out good. It hasn't done it today. Oh, and BTW the computer came shipped with Bios ver A03 which I think is the latest. I'll keep everyone posted on what happens after I reinstall the OS

 

I re-installed Win 7 and it has inadvertedly shutdown one more time. I am now dual booting Win 7 and Snow Leopard. That last time it shutdown, I was running Snow Leopard so definintely it seems hardware not software related.

 

Still getting random shutdowns, not a lot... maybe every 4 or 5 days. but still happening sometimes. It usually happens right after turning it up, so maybe there's a sensor or something seeing a rapid increase in temperature.... It sucks, because I really like the computer, and I know if I return it, the next one will most probably have the same problem. Any recommendations? Anyone care to give an opinion.

 

David, whats the spec of your system?

 

So, you are running an unsupported OS without drivers specific to the system and you think it's hardware?

Here is what I would suggest: Boot to the diagnostics CD and select custom. It gives the option of running multiple iterations of the diagnostics. Select non-interactive and bump the iterations to like 5. Let it run. If it doesn't reboot there, it's more likely software.

 

Hey man, the random reboots started as soon as I opened the computer from its box, with the original OS installed. As soon as the Win 7 setup finished, boom there was my first reboot. So it had nothing to do at all with SL. I then reinstalled Win 7 (Still without SL), and it happened again. I then installed SL, and there you go... it happened again. I think it sounds like enough proof that its not the software.....

My specs are:

Dell Studio 1558
Intel Core i5-520M
4GB DDR3 at 1066MHz
Back-lit Keyboard
15.6 Inch (1080p) LED Display
Intel Graphics Media Accelerator HD
Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi MB
Dell Wireless 1397 802.11g Half Mini Card
Dell Wireless 365 Bluetooth Module (2.1)

 

I have the same issue with my 1558. I just my last Friday. It shut down three times in six hours. I chatted with DELL and Dell immediately offer to send me a replacement system. I think Dell knows about the issue. However, I just don't know if the replacement will solve the problem.

The Dell Forum seems to think this is caused by the FAN and it is mostly on the i3 and i5 chips.

 

Yes, I researched Dell forums and found lots of people with the problem. Yesterday I did something i think might help if it is indeed related to the fan and, knock on wood, it has not happened since. In the power options, go to change plan settings then go to advance options, processor power management, System cooling policy, and set both to active. If you place the mouse over the options, it explains what they are about. I will be updating whatever happens next.


Update: So much for the "supposed" fix LOLL The system just rebooted itself again. I am on hold from customer service. I am returning my system, as much as i LOVE it, because its just unacceptable to pay $1000 on a computer to see it shutdown itself for no reason at all. I have no idea what will I get next

 

Damnn. Are they with returns or anything like that? You get a full refund?

 

Well, I don't know how is the process if you already passed the initial 21 day period. I am returning before the 21 day period, and they didn't give me a hard time. He tried to convince me to do more tests.. but I had already re-installed the OS, and ran the diagnostics which found nothing (and add there too that this is a known issue for a lot of people and some have been told by Dell support that its a know bug with no current fix).

He then offered me a replacement unit, (again people have reported that their replacement unit had the same bug). I just said I didn't trust the system anymore and that it was unacceptable that a new system was having this problem and he just processed everything and I will be getting a return package in the next couple of days.

Ohh and also.. I spoke with a firend who has a computer repair shop and he told me it definintely has to do with the temperature in the CPU. I believe its a problem with the temperature sensor of the CPU, either sensing a rapid increase in temeprature and shutting down or getting an inaccurate reading.

 

Just an FYI update to everyone who is following this issue. I downloaded RealTemp, and it gives you the option to do some tests on sensors. That test is prime95. One of the options of prime95 is to run a (really powerful) heat test on the CPU. This test served me to confirm my initial thought. The problem is that sometimes the fan does not start, and the CPU reaches the temperature corresponding to a overheating shutdown (105 C). The temperature of one of the cores reached 105 3 times during the test and at that exact moment, the computer just shutdown. Another day I ran the same test and the computer ran it completely without shutting down (this time the fan kicked in and the CPU temperature didn't go over 67 C).

Also, I am running now RealTemp all the time, and at another time booted up the computer from cold, and the fans did not kick in and I saw the temperature slowly go from 30-40 to 85 while doing light stuff on the computer and the fan never started. As soon as I started to see a video on youtube, the temperature reached 105 and again, the tedious shutdown. So, it can be concluded that the problem is with the way the BIOS or the temperature sensors are handling fan operation.

I also downloaded Speedfan because that program allows you to control fan speed and when do you want to start fan operation. The funny/awkward/bad part is, this computer has no information of the fan in the BIOS. For speedfan to be able to regulate /modify fan operation they need to be recognized in the BIOS. If you go into BIOS setup, you will see there is no information as to what RPM are the fans running, or anything like that. Also, notice that while in the BIOS bootup (the Studio splash screen), there is no test of the fan. My old XPS M1210 did this test.

Because of that, we can't modify fan behavior (at least with Speedfan). But, also note that when your computer shutsdown because of the overheating, as soon as you boot it back up you will hear the fan kick in at full speed right in the splash sccreen. Weird I know.. very weird.

My guess is that Dell will fix this with a Bios update in the future, but I will still return my system, I am not willing to wait.

 

I do not blame you, David.

I just received my replacement Studio 15 (see sig for specs) because of RAM not running the right speed and a dead pixel on the screen. However, the new unit has the fan turning itself on far too often so I am trying to get a refund (past 30 days). Dell just released the new ATI 5470 GPU on the Studio 15 so I may repurchase another one in hopes the combo of the Core i5 and ATI 5470 will keep the temperature down better in the laptop.

The biggest issue with the Studio 15 line is the design of the air vents. I believe this to be a critical design flaw as it does not allow the air to vent out properly.

 

Good luck man! I hope they get to fix it because sincerely I LOVED the laptop....

 

BIOS A04 which apparently addresses the random shutdown issue has been released. Has anybody tried it?

 

I can see it in the download list but it doesn't get downloaded!!

I got my 1558 as a replacement to a 1557 with a really sucky screen! the screen had red scan lines n green colors all over!!

Anyway, I usually use my laptop plugged into charge n i don think i've ever had the shutdown issue so maybe its some kinda power setting that does the trick!

 

LOL I also tried it.. and it gives the file not found error. I'm gonna give this a try hopefully by tomorrow before I finally decide to return it.

 

You're right. Looks like they pulled it (or haven't uploaded it yet?). See: ftp://ftp.us.dell.com/bios/1558_A04.exe and ftp://ftp.us.dell.com/bios/ for a list of whats actually in there. A03 is still there...

 

I was able to download the file this morning. Will test it out in the evening and post back results.

 

Downloaded, ran, bricked. Update hung @ block 59 and just sat there. Waited nearly 2 minutes and the machine seemed to be hard-locked. Now it's a paper weight.

 

Oh MAN!! that sucks big time! I ran it successfully, tried stressing the CPU to overheat it with the same prime95 test and the fans are kicking in, so its working as its supposed to (No random shutdowns or overheating so far). I'm really sorry about your situation call them immediately.

 

I also download it sucessfully and ran it. It look a little bit of time, but everything was sucessful. I have been downloading data from my network drive for the last 4 hours and everything looks good so far. I hope this continues.

 

Well, good news is good news so here it is.

After about 4 hours of web research and playing around, I was able to use the Phoenix BIOS Recovery and re-flash my BIOS with the A04. All is working now but I am working with Dell to return the laptop. Fan is way too loud and kicks in way too often. I do like the laptop but feel it needs a little more work on Dell's part to be a truly kick machine.

 

I hear you man, I will return it too even when I like it a lot. Its a pretty laptop poorly engineered.

 

Just got my laptop last week, after 1 week of delays. Apparently, dell ran out of screens, supply issues. Anways, my laptop just shutdown also without any warning. 1st time I thought, maybe just a fluke. But this happened a 3rd time in 3 days, I thought something is wrong. Luckily I googled my problem and found similar user problems and will call tomorrow. I thought Dell was a pretty reliable laptop, but now have doubts. I bought this during a sale, so I got a good deal.

Quantity Item Number Description

1 224-7415 Studio 15 Laptop
1 317-3427 Intel Core i5-430M 2.26GHz (2.53GHz Turbo Mode, 3M cache)
1 317-3931 4GB Shared Dual Channel DDR3 at 1066MHz
1 330-2937 Standard Keyboard
1 320-1316 15.6 inch High Definition (720p) LED Display with TrueLife and Camera
1 421-1009 Dell Webcam Software 1.4 Application Kit
1 330-6728 Intel Graphics Media Accelerator HD
1 342-0915 320GB 7200 RPM SATA Hard Disk Drive

 

Has ANYONE yet found a common denominator yet among the 1558's and the sudden shutdowns? I have one, and while I admit I dont have the chance to use it possibly as often as some of the other owners here run their laptops (parental responsibilities ;-) ) I have yet to experience - knocking furiously on any and all available pieces of wood - any of the problems I've been reading about here.

 

what were you doing when it shut down?

 

Whats the primary use of your laptop?

 

I finally returned the computer last Wednesday. Read these posts, and yes, I narrowed it to the fan management by the computer BIOS. I do think that the Bios update A04 did fix this issue, as I spent a whole evening tying to stress the CPU to overheat and shutdown and couldn't.

 

How do we get the A04 bios though? Dell took it down.

 

They did?

http://support.dell.com/support/dow...typeid=-1&dateid=-1&formatid=-1&fileid=385998

 

Ah they pput it back up. How do you use the file? Can you use that one if you haven't loaded on the A03 one yet? Or does this one contain everything in A01/02/03 and 04. Also.. do you guys recommend the other updates? I saw theres a potential 27 updates for the 1558. Some related to the chipset, others to smaller things like applications...

 

I note the recommended approach is to boot into a floppy disc to load up the bios.

Like, welcome to yesterday Dell!

 

I would agree with Zedpos.

Best method would be to:

1) Create a boot floppy or USB key.
2) Run the BIOS EXE you downloaded from Dell (1558_A04.exe).
3) When it asked you if you want to upgrade the BIOS, say no.
4) Go to c:\users\<username>\AppData\Local\Temp\WinPhlash\ folder and grab the bios1.wph file, which is the BIOS file.
5) Download phlash16.exe from the Internet ( http://biosagentplus.com/techsupport/award/utils/phlash16.exe)
6) Copy phlash16.exe and the bios1.wph to your boot disk.
7) At a command prompt, run "phlash16.exe" and it should tell you the switches/commands needed to flash it.

This is all from memory, so please excuse any errors.

Good luck.

 

By my bloody Sdtudio doesnt have a floppy drive. If I knew this would happen I wouldda kept my floopy drive in the PC i threw out 5 years ago.. grr

 

Errors... LOL. That could be one costly error..

Edit: Could ya'll click the link in my sig and fill in the survey. It takes 1 minute and it'll help lots! Thanks.

 

@WildmanCAL

I know its irrelevant in this thread, but can you please upload few snaps of your new Studio 1558, mainly the keyboard panel ?

 

hehe you really want to see the keyboard don't you. Mines arriving on tuesday, in about 36 hours. If he doesn't upload by then, I will.

 

Here are two shots of the keyboard. One is with backlight fully on and the other is with it off.

 

Thank you dear. So it does not have a chicklet keyboard as with new Inspiron and it also does not have a touch panel multimedia buttons. Good, I got the information what I was looking for. Thank you again.

 

Purchased studio 1558 (720 QM) March 22nd received March 31st, didn't use it till April 4th or so, tried to burn CD's bluescreened multiple times after about 4 times gave up (oh by the way you do receive A04 with the laptop).
Called chat/call with Dell support, they have agreed to exchange the laptop by I am seriously contemplating after 4 crashes to burn a CD since then about crash a day or so really scary for a brand new laptop.
Laptop itself is awesome i mean 8 cores, super nice performance but these bsod's are killing me.
Personally i think it is overheating but it doesn't feel hot at all.
Very nervous, guys advise me.

 

hello!
WildmanCAL, could you help me?I tried to upgrade my bios on 1558 dell, to A04, but it bricked my notebook.I created an usb boot stick, took out the battery, unplugged the ac cable, plugged the stick, pressed the End button, held while plugged in the ac cable, then released, but the led became red, the laptop started, big fan noise, but nothing happenes.What is wrong?Could someone help?

 

Could you please upload the bios.wph file for studio 1558?Maybe the one I use is corrupted..Thanks a lot!