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Laptop randomly shuts off

Discussion in 'Windows XP' started by sarah185, 2006/09/25.

  1. 2006/09/25
    sarah185

    sarah185 Inactive Thread Starter

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    My laptop randomly shuts off for no apparent reason. The lightening bold light on the front of the computer stays on even though the system has shut off. Dont know if this info is needed but my laptop is an HP model with Windows XP Home Edition Version 2002 Service Pack 1, Pentium 4, 448mb ram, CPU 2.4 ghz. Any help would be appreciated as I use this computer alot for my college studies.
     
    sarah185,
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  2. 2006/09/25
    charlesvar

    charlesvar Inactive Alumni

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    Hello Sarah and welcome to the Board :)

    To begin, some basic questions: are you running on the battery or plugged in and what do you to bring it back up?

    Regards - Charles
     
    charlesvar,
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  4. 2006/09/25
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    Sarah - Welcome to the Board :)

    Are you sure that the laptop is not simply going into standby or hibernation after a period of inactivity? What do you have to do to bring it back to life - press the power button? Having done that does the desktop appear rather than the Windows splash screen - if that is the case you have woken it from standby - or possibly hibernation if that is set.

    Check out the settings in Control Panel > Power Options.

    Edit - Charles beat me to the post :)
     
    PeteC,
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  5. 2006/09/25
    sarah185

    sarah185 Inactive Thread Starter

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    I am running on plug into wall. To bring the computer back up, I press the power button, and it starts like it is starting when I turn it off. I have to log back into windows and everything.
     
    sarah185,
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  6. 2006/09/25
    sarah185

    sarah185 Inactive Thread Starter

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    umm, it goes to the log in screen. I don't think it is hibernating. I think my computer might be overheating b/c it just randomly shuts off sometimes.
     
    sarah185,
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  7. 2006/09/25
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    That's possible - are you running it on a desk or on something soft like a bed which is probably blocking the cooling vents? Can you hear the fan running just before it shuts down?
     
    PeteC,
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  8. 2006/09/25
    sarah185

    sarah185 Inactive Thread Starter

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    I can always hear the fan running. It has been really loud since I got the computer. I do run it on a desk with a glass top. I thought that was why it might be overheating, so I have it propped up off the desk a little bit. I would think that the computer would be ok sitting on a desk b/c that is what it is made for. How can I keep it cool???
     
    sarah185,
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  9. 2006/09/26
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    You are running the laptop under optimum conditions on a desktop, but the fan should not really be running all the time, but just cut in occasionally.

    Check that the cooling vents are not obstructed in any way and try blowing out any dust which may have accumulated.

    If the computer is still under warranty I suggest you contact the supplier.

    You can get laptop coolers which can help to minimise any overheating problems ....

    http://www.google.com/search?source...ls=GGLG,GGLG:2006-15,GGLG:en&q=laptop+coolers
     
    PeteC,
    #8

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