laptop random shutdowns.

[blueis300]

It started a couple of weeks ago. I would be surfing the net and the laptop would just shut down. Just installed windows 7 7000 and it seems to be doing it more. Any ideas? Is it the laptop or the new os?

 

[IlllI]

how old is it

 

[blueis300]

less than 2 years. Might try and buy a laptop cooler.

 

[cparker]

What's the make/model of the laptop? Does it happen when you aren't surfing or connected to the internet? Does your laptop get hotter than it used to? Is it hotter in the room where you are using the laptop than before?

If it's heat, you might first just try putting a few cd/dvd cases under the laptop just on the right and left sides so there is a good air "gap" between the case and the table. That should lower the temperature of the laptop. If it lasts longer between shutdowns (or maybe even doesn't shut down at all) then you know it's heat.

If it still happens, then try disconnecting the laptop completely from the internet and just using it for non internet things. If it stays alive, then it might have something to do with your interned adapter hardware. Try using a pcmia adapter for the cable or wifi connection. It might cure the problem (it did mine!).

 

[hans030390]

Test the ram with Memtest. Generally these issues happen when the ram is going bad. It could just be one stick (if you have two) that's gone bad.

 

[IlllI]

check to see if the fan is still kicking in. if the fan stopped working then that might be the cause
or maybe some dust bunnies are blocking some vents or something

 

[Paperlantern]

Originally posted by: IlllI
check to see if the fan is still kicking in. if the fan stopped working then that might be the cause
or maybe some dust bunnies are blocking some vents or something

x2

I'm not 100% about how the calculator is on windows 7 but in xp if you turn it to scientific mode and type in 1,000,000 then hit the "n!" key it puts a significant load on the processor, dual cores may need this done twice to really peg them out. This is a fantastic way of seeing if a PC is shutting down due to thermal events because it heats up the processor about as hot as its going to get, and it will shut the pc down alot quicker then just letting it run surfing the internet. If you are getting shutdowns while just doing that, if you put the load on, it should shut down very quickly. You may need to get it cleaned out. Sometimes all it takes is popping the keyboard off, or a panel under neath. Other times its more complicated.

Laptop coolers are never necessary, all laptops are designed to keep them selves cool enough to run continuously under 100% CPU load... forever. Only dust or fan problems would cause them to shut down on a thermal event. Or in rare cases a motherboard problem.