Laptop Boots Up For About 4 Seconds Then Shuts Down

Gateway Laptop Model: NE56R41U with Windows 10.
I recently performed a Clean Install of Win. 10 on a previously Win. 8 laptop. The problem I'm having is that when the laptop is not connected with the power cord it will start the boot process for about 4 seconds and then will just shut off. It doesn't get past the initial "Gateway" logo with the loading circle. If I then connect the power cord and boot the laptop after trying to start it without the cord, it will boot up properly but once I try to log in to my windows user account it will restart itself or just shutdown. Sometimes it will restart a few times before finally running correctly. After it stops restarting itself with the power cord connected, I shut it down, boot it up again (still connected) and now it starts right on the first try. So if I just keep starting it after that while it is connected there is no problems. If I disconnect the power cord while the laptop is on, it will not shut down and holds a charge perfectly.

I had this problem when it had Win 8 and is why I did the upgrade thinking it might be a software problem. I'm in the middle of trying to calibrate the battery by charging to 100% and then letting it die. I'm pretty sure this won't help but its something that I can try for now. THanks

 

Standard troubleshooting steps worth doing (with the power cord in and on) are:
1. Chkdsk - https://windowsinstructed.com/run-chkdsk-windows/
2. sfc /scannow System File Checker https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/kb/929833
when using SFC make sure you scroll down in the guide above to the section:
'How to view details of the System File Checker process'
so that you generate a text doc to your desktop and not relying on the massive cbs log.

 

I had this problem or at least a similar one with my old desktop. I seem to remember it went away after I did a 'cold boot' - remove all power sources from the computer (including main battery removal), operate the on button, and restore power (I should try this first without battery, just mains). Switch on again. It will probably not help, but it's quite quick & easy to do.

Dumb_Question
28.March.2016

 

Download this and save it, then unzip it (Its your user manual in a zipped up PDF file): http://global-download.gateway.com/...&Step3=NE56R&OS=ALL&LC=en&BC=GATEWAY&SC=PA_6G

Turn it off! Get a can of blow-off, open the manual, got to "Getting to know your computer -> Left view. The set of vents marked 3 are the exhaust vents for the laptops cooling. Use the blow off to blow in through those vents (be thorough!) and I'll bet a lot of dust will fly out the bottom and up through the keyboard, too.

Now try it. I've had laptops run 80+ degrees cooler after the dust was blown out and your symptoms match an overheating problem.

 

Davis, I'm a bit wary of doing that because the air being blown through the fan makes the fan turn, and that can generate a voltage, I have read, which can damage components inside the computer. It has been suggested that a thin wood lath be in serted into the fan to orevent it turning. What do you think of all that ? Is it just mumbo_jumbo ?

Dumb_Question
28.March.2016

 

In theory, it can damage the motor drive circuitry (which is on the fan itself); but, I have done it to tens of thousands of laptops and never had it hurt a single one. The backside of the heatsink fins often looks like a sheet of felt, completely blocking the airflow and cooling.

 

Thanks for the quick responses. Performed a 'cold boot' and it seems like it temporarily did the trick. Worked fine for most of the day and later that night when trying to start it, it would shut down again after signing into user account. I did the 'cold boot' again and now it seems to be good again. Gonna see how long it works. I ran Sfc /Scannow and Chckdisk and they both came back with no problems.

 

It ought to run for days without shutting down and if its overheating, nothing but getting the dirt out of the laptop will fix it. At least, get a copy of HWMonitor so you will know: http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/hwmonitor.html

 

Oh yes sorry I forgot to mention that I had also installed HWMonitor Yesterday to monitor temps after you mentioned it might be overheating. Temperatures were hovering around 47 C and would occasionally peak at 51 C.

 

Those temps aren't so high that the PC should rudely shutdown. 85 C+ would have been worrisome.
The next suspect would be the battery and/or the charging circuitry. What does batteryinfoview have to say?
http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/battery_information_view.html