laptop randomly shuts down

[Semidevil]

so I successfully reformatted my laptop and was able to network it so it can share the internet with my desktop. This will be a good system to use for simple tasks as web surfing or typing.

Now, this is a 2001 hp pavillion laptop, with a very loose screen hinge, and is on it's maybe 5 or 6th reformats.

After reformats, it still has the problem of shutting down randomly. I have no idea why. What could cause this problem? anyways to diagnose this? It's a fairly old computer, and not very important, so it's nothing that is really worth spending money to repair.

any idea on how to repair the random shutdowns?

 

[ForumMaster]

are the random shutdowns caused by a BSOD? or just suddenly boom and the laptop crashes? if the latter, it sounds like a hardware problem. perhaps the laptop PSU.

 

[Semidevil]

no BSOD. you just hear a 'bleep' and the computer shuts down. I think, probably most of the time, it will shut down after you hear the fan.

 

[amdskip]

Sounds like its overheating to me. People have had some luck underclocking laptops to help them run cooler. Is your laptop dirty inside?

 

[pcgeek11]

What are the power save settings in the laptop? It may just be shutting down from inactivity.

pcgeek11

 

[Hyperlite]

yeah sounds like heat

 

[Semidevil]

no, it doesnt shut down due to inactivity I dont think. sometimes it shuts down 5 minutes while it's doing something.




so if it is a heat issue, besides underclocking, are there any solutions. I'll try it too.

and how much should I underclock it and how do I do it? do I have to go to the bios, or can I do it through a program?

edit:

ok guys, so it seems like when the fan goes really loud, that's when the pc shuts down, so it does sound like a heat/fan issue.

 

[pcgeek11]

You should be able to locate a how to on the internet to get down to the cooling fan and clean out the dust bunnies. Or you could try compressed air and blow it into the air outlet.

pcgeek

 

[DaveSimmons]

Does the battery have a charge when you restart? Sometimes the AC adapter plug can be not making good contact, so you're running on battery without realizing it.