Help find unusual problem....please.

The computer is a HP Compaq nx 9420
Operating sys Win XP pro.

Problem: Computer shuts down without warning or rhyme or reason.

This started around last November. Virus hunting programs say clean. Fails whether ambient temp is 60 or 90. Thought battery, removed it, still shut down. Thought DVD/CD since that seemed always involved when crash. Watched a move for an hour (failure usually within 20 min.)

Usually happens when doing something with a partition. Move, re-size, format etc.

Anyone got any fresh ideas?

 

Could it be overheating? Is the ventilation clear and running? Does it get hot?

GK

 

^^ Second that. Looks like your partition manipulations resulted in file table shifts. Try another HDD and see if you have the same problem. Also, what partitioning software are you using?

 

Would that make it shut down without a BSOD?

I'd say, in worst case you need a new HDD, in best case you need a complete reinstall.

You can always remove the HDD and let it stay on, my bet is that it won't shut off. DVD is also easy to remove, just one T8 screw.
Look here, page 5-6 for HDD and 5-18 for DVD.

You say it isn't overheating, but they build up a lot of dust inside, next to the heatsinks. Mine had a lot of dust in it after only 16 months when I first opened it.
I'd say it has to be cleaned at least once every second year.

 

Good question. I'd expect it to BSOD rather than shut down. Same with overheating (crashing, freezing, etc). There could be a mobo power related problem.

 

Thank you all for the suggestions. They have all been tried to no avail. Hard drive replaced, no difference. Seemed like it was the CD/DVD drive, borrowed and tried a USB external CD/DVD drive, still shut down same way. Ambient temp can be 20 degrees different, no change. And yes, when you change out hard drives or do a restore from a backup, the drive does have to do a lot of work.

Processor cooling fan working fine. Nothing makes any "logical" sense. If it's booted, and no major new programs installed etc. it works fine.

 

a system shutdown could also occur if you have bad RAM (or it's dirty/dusty)

i would try to find someone with different ram sticks and try those, otherwise it could be the voltage regulators on the motherboard which have developed a dry joint (the solder) or are actually beginning to fail.

These are the only other 2 things i can think of from personally dealing with laptops, after all the things you've checked come back negative.

 

I have purchased a "cooler master" three fan unit under the base of the laptop. It's been there about a week now. So far (knock on wood) no further problems. So regardless of the ambient temp variations that I took for not being a heat related problem, this changes that opinion for me. Even with the computer being supported on a couple of good sized hard back books to insure ventilation, this is forcing air across the bottom under the processor area. So even though the processor fan is running, it "appears" not to be dissipating enough of the heat anymore. Reasonably inexpensive fix if it continues to hold.