Problem Unknown???

My wife's Dell laptop will just shut down for no apparent reason. I mean "POOF!", like now, just like you turn off a light.

It happens once a week or five times a day, there's no way of predicting it.

I ran all the cleanup and out programs and scanned with the AVG but to no avail.

Here's the system specs...

http://img713.imageshack.us/img713/5417/h5q3.jpg

Since I get no virus warning can I assume software???

 

I had some problems that included this one about a month ago. I had installed a program from Seagate that tested Seagate hard drives and then I installed an app from Passmark that monitored hard drive health over time. The two together somehow caused shutdowns (restarts), and the PC wouldn't come out of standby. Unfortunately, the Passmark app was the problem. Too bad...it was a killer app. Check to see if anything has been recently installed on the computer...

Couple of questions
1. Shutdown or restart?
2. If it's a shutdown, is this a normal Windows shutdown or one where the PC just goes blank and then you get the message on reboot that Windows didn't shut down normally?

One of the notebook gurus will be along to lend a hand shortly I am sure. If the PC is not shutting down normally (Saving settings and all) then sounds like a power interruption to the mother board or hard drive...

 

It's a total shutdown. Like I said "POOF!", like now, just like you turn off a light.

It's odd but I do not get the didn't shut down normally message....

 

>> My wife's Dell laptop will just shut down for no apparent reason. I mean "POOF!", like now, just like you turn off a light. kilogulf59 <<

I had the same exact problem with a different Dell laptop than yours; however after removing dust from the inside of the laptop; it worked out just fine, in my case. Although the fan is likely working; the accumulated (unseen) dust often affects the operation of the fan, which prevents necessary cooling of the computers interior components. When your computer gets to hot the system protects the computer components by shutting it down. Dirt can even eventually cause the Dell N5040 Laptop Fan to make a loud clicking noise and even stop spinning properly.

Start by cleaning the fan and heat sink. Dirt or dust build up can cause them not to work as efficiently as they should. Therefore I recommend trying to remove dust first, and there is a manual at the dell-support page (see link below) regarding safeguards as well as how to open it up, but it probably really needs just a screwdriver. To clean your fan and heatsink, use a can of air and blow out any dirt and dust from your Dell laptop fan. You can also use a paint brush to clean out the dirt from the hard to get areas. Sometimes cleaning your Dell N5040 laptop fan will actually repair it!

Side Note: Manuals and Documents for Inspiron 15 (N5040)

Good Luck -- COMP​

 

I agree when was the last time the laptop was dusted out.?

Probably never i am guessing dust and laptops don't mix that i can tell you it is far worse for a laptop mainly due to that there is really no air flow in a laptop.

 

Overheating will do that.

Some manufacturers will alert you to it the next time you turn it on.

 

Thanks, I never thought of that....I'll get me some canned air today!

 

You might confirm this (shutdown on account of overheating [due to dust or any other reason]) by installing and running one of the applications that give your system temperatures (CPU, 'system' [Digerati says this is often the temp. of the northbridge chipset], graphics card etc), and comparing these with recommended max operating temperatures.

Dumb_Question
19.October.2013

 

Thank you...I'll do that...can't be too careful...