Computer Problem: Irrational machine is powering off at will.

[Cathleen]

I knew I was right twenty-five+ years ago when I said ''I'll never use a computer'' but I often do wrong things. So the problem - this dang machine powers off at will.

I have a HP Laptop, it's been a great little thing for about three or four years. In the last few months it will just shut off for no apparent reason (hence why I call it irrational, 'cuz I know I'm never irrational ).

It is beginning to drive me crazier then hot flashes and mood swings and I know none of you want me to get even nuttier. Any suggestions - of the rational kind? (Bear in mind I'm menopausal so don't make me mess with you!)

Please help!

I see one glich here - what if I can't get it to stay on to read your helpful posts? BG, you are on call duty ok?

 

[juicywet21]

Is it also really slow when you download something, open a new page on line, or open a new program?

 

[Cathleen]

Is it also really slow when you download something, open a new page on line, or open a new program?

No actually - when it's working it's great (use DSL) with no slowdowns. I keep wondering about the battery. I rarely (very rarely) use it on battery, it's on AC 99.9% of the time but I still wonder if the battery is used up (since I can't unattach it).

Thanks and welcome to Lit. juicywet.

 

[Malich]

Does it happen when you move the Laptop? because if it does it may be the switch / sensor that sets the machine into standby that is faulty and is registering the movement as a command to shut down.

The laptop I'm using now has the same problem, coupled with a dodgy power cable. unfortunately both are the kind of things that require it to be sent away for fixing.

 

[Cathleen]

Does it happen when you move the Laptop? because if it does it may be the switch / sensor that sets the machine into standby that is faulty and is registering the movement as a command to shut down.

The laptop I'm using now has the same problem, coupled with a dodgy power cable. unfortunately both are the kind of things that require it to be sent away for fixing.

You have hit on one major problem -- sending it away. I hate the very thought... wahwah. I did call a place this morning and figure I'll drop it off Monday if I have to.

Now onto moving it. I'm so glad you mentioned it because I was beginning to thing it was allergic to me! But no, it can shut off while I'm using it, looking at it, at anytime really. Sometimes I end up powering it on almost a dozen times before it will give me some subtantial time of use. Thanks Malich.

(Maybe the machine is menopausal too!)

 

[juicywet21]

No actually - when it's working it's great (use DSL) with no slowdowns. I keep wondering about the battery. I rarely (very rarely) use it on battery, it's on AC 99.9% of the time but I still wonder if the battery is used up (since I can't unattach it).

Thanks and welcome to Lit. juicywet.

Thank you for the welcome.

I honestly am not very good with computers- they seem to hate me- but because of that I picked up some knowledge from the computer guys who have helped me many times.

My computer was also doing this a while ago. It's a Sony laptop, maybe 2 years old, and when I brought it in to the Geek Squad at Best Buy (where I bought it) they told me there is a disk that comes with each new laptop labeled 'system restore' and that I should do that.

Before this I had been dealing with the erratic shutting off, and then one day it wouldnt turn back on. I took it in and they told me they needed to put a new hard drive on it (thankfully under warranty). The downside is that when you do this (and restore cd thing) you lose everything you have put on your computer- microsoft office, photos, music....

I recomend backing up everything you dont want to lose as soon as possible (especially pictures... I lost all of mine.), and then calling geek squad, or bringing it in to the store for an expert opinion. Sorry I can't be more of a help.

j.w.

 

[Bert Notorius]

You might try this:

Right click the desk top
select properties
select screen saver
select power

In that tab you go to the hibernate feature and uncheck "enable hibernation".

If that doesn't work there are other setting under the "schemes" tab that might be adjusted- like turning off the monitor and hard drives, etc.

 

[Cathleen]

Thank you for the welcome.

I honestly am not very good with computers- they seem to hate me- but because of that I picked up some knowledge from the computer guys who have helped me many times.

My computer was also doing this a while ago. It's a Sony laptop, maybe 2 years old, and when I brought it in to the Geek Squad at Best Buy (where I bought it) they told me there is a disk that comes with each new laptop labeled 'system restore' and that I should do that.

Before this I had been dealing with the erratic shutting off, and then one day it wouldnt turn back on. I took it in and they told me they needed to put a new hard drive on it (thankfully under warranty). The downside is that when you do this (and restore cd thing) you lose everything you have put on your computer- microsoft office, photos, music....

I recomend backing up everything you dont want to lose as soon as possible (especially pictures... I lost all of mine.), and then calling geek squad, or bringing it in to the store for an expert opinion. Sorry I can't be more of a help.

j.w.

I thought about the restore disk... let the thought pass but I should at least try. I need to do a backup anyway. There is a lot to save but you're right, it's better to do it then lose it.

I will read up on how to backup my stuff. Thanks, not that I'm glad you lost everything but I appreciate you sharing your experience.

 

[Cathleen]

You might try this:

Right click the desk top
select properties
select screen saver
select power

In that tab you go to the hibernate feature and uncheck "enable hibernation".

If that doesn't work there are other setting under the "schemes" tab that might be adjusted- like turning off the monitor and hard drives, etc.

Thanks for your help Bert. I did some poking around under the control panel and noticed something about what to do if... I'll look again. Thanks!

 

[Bert Notorius]

Thanks for your help Bert. I did some poking around under the control panel and noticed something about what to do if... I'll look again. Thanks!

Some might think this is a crazy place to come to look for help...

 

[Malich]

Wierd...

Well, I'm out of anecdotal possibilities.

sorry

 

[Cathleen]

OK, here's what I have under that ''screen saver - power'' area.

When Computer Is Plugged in:

Turn off monitor: X amount of time

Turn off hard disk: " "

System standby: " "

System hibernates: " "

Then the other column is When Computer Is Running on Battery:

Same questions

So do I use never on those questions or .... ?

 

[RocknRoll]

This may sound random...

get a vaccum cleaner with a nozzle.

turn the laptop over (turned off)

place teh nozzle of teh vaccum over the fans... and let it suck away for a little while.


The reason I put this for is cos I have a dodgy fan on my laptop (which I should replace) and it gets clogged up with dust... which burns and heats up the laptop and it then turns itself off to stop it reheating...

just though Id mention it cos your laptop has been getting hot...

 

[Cathleen]

Wierd...

Well, I'm out of anecdotal possibilities.

sorry

You restored my sense of rationality Malich - honestly I was starting to look at this thing sideways and since it's a machine and I'm just flesh and blood and irrational thoughts are common -- well you see how you helped - a lot!

 

[Cathleen]

Some might think this is a crazy place to come to look for help...

I think it's a great place to look for help. All kinds of people, all kinds of help.

 

[EJFan]

i wouldn't advise a system restore, personally. i've seen so many cases where it causes more problems than it solves... plus there's the issue of having to re-acquire and reinstall all the damned updates to every piece of software you own.

two other things about system restore: it will solve your problem IF the problem is with the OS. if it's a hardware issue (which this could be), or any other problem, this will likely not do a damn thing. geek squad and other tech support people like to do the system restore thing because it's fast and all-encompassing for most typical problems.

bert's suggestion is fantastic. make sure your machine hasn't gotten set to power down. i'd probably consider taking it to an independent, manufacturer approved repair shop (not these mcdonald's type places like geek squad) because there's a great chance it's a hardware thing.

you should also check the microsoft knowledge base. if it's a windows oriented issue, you can bet it's listed in there along with the appropriate fix.

 

[juicywet21]

Well, if you have it set to hibernate after half an hour it will turn off when you haven't been active for 30 consecutive minutes (no typing, scrolling, using mouse at all), but when you turn your computer back on after it hibernates all the windows should still be there just like before it powered off....

 

[cd1_christine]

Temperature.

I knew I was right twenty-five+ years ago when I said ''I'll never use a computer'' but I often do wrong things. So the problem - this dang machine powers off at will.

I have a HP Laptop, it's been a great little thing for about three or four years. In the last few months it will just shut off for no apparent reason (hence why I call it irrational, 'cuz I know I'm never irrational ).

It is beginning to drive me crazier then hot flashes and mood swings and I know none of you want me to get even nuttier. Any suggestions - of the rational kind? (Bear in mind I'm menopausal so don't make me mess with you!)

Please help!

I see one glich here - what if I can't get it to stay on to read your helpful posts? BG, you are on call duty ok?

Is it after you've been using it for a while? If it never shuts off in the first few minutes it's been on, I'd say it's getting too hot.
At 3-4 years old, enough dust has usually been pulled into the cooling fans that the heatsink fins start to get plugged, and it doesn't cool properly. To prevent it from self-destructing, if the CPU gets too hot, it automatically shuts down the computer.

It could also be a recent Windows update that is incompatible with your BIOS. You'll need to flash the BIOS with the latest version if this is the case. That's not something for novices, unfortunately, as if you do it incorrectly, you can completely break (as in, irreparable without changing the motherboard...about a $700+ job.) the computer.

Find the CPU fan exhaust. Usually it's on the back or side close to a corner. See if you can feel any warm air moving out of this when you've been on the system for a while. Especially when the fan is running, if you can hear it.

 

[Cathleen]

This may sound random...

get a vaccum cleaner with a nozzle.

turn the laptop over (turned off)

place teh nozzle of teh vaccum over the fans... and let it suck away for a little while.


The reason I put this for is cos I have a dodgy fan on my laptop (which I should replace) and it gets clogged up with dust... which burns and heats up the laptop and it then turns itself off to stop it reheating...

just though Id mention it cos your laptop has been getting hot...

I will do that too RnR - good idea. I did buy a ''stand'' which lifts if off the desk a bit but I do (well did) leave it on all the time.

Oreck here I come! Thanks.

 

[RocknRoll]

I will do that too RnR - good idea. I did buy a ''stand'' which lifts if off the desk a bit but I do (well did) leave it on all the time.

Oreck here I come! Thanks.

your more than welcome Cathleen... this is actualy my job! lol

If you were in the UK Id be more than willing to come and help you out! (if you were within an hour or so drive of Chelmsford atm)

Call out fee and 1st hour £25 and £5 for every 15mins after that.

I do tutition and fixing various computer problems...

 

[Cathleen]

i wouldn't advise a system restore, personally. i've seen so many cases where it causes more problems than it solves... plus there's the issue of having to re-acquire and reinstall all the damned updates to every piece of software you own.

two other things about system restore: it will solve your problem IF the problem is with the OS. if it's a hardware issue (which this could be), or any other problem, this will likely not do a damn thing. geek squad and other tech support people like to do the system restore thing because it's fast and all-encompassing for most typical problems.

bert's suggestion is fantastic. make sure your machine hasn't gotten set to power down. i'd probably consider taking it to an independent, manufacturer approved repair shop (not these mcdonald's type places like geek squad) because there's a great chance it's a hardware thing.

you should also check the microsoft knowledge base. if it's a windows oriented issue, you can bet it's listed in there along with the appropriate fix.

Thanks EJ. You're right about the system restore. I thought about that a few minutes ago since this sure appears to be a hardware problem.

On the power stuff Bert mentioned I just don't know if I should set everything to 'Never'. There are times I power up and it gets to the desktop and within a moment it powers off again.

My 'power meter' at times says 100% AC (charging) which makes no sense to me. There have also been a few times it will be charging as if the battery is dead. Maybe it is an overheating problem and/or battery thing.

I really appreciate everyone's help - thanks.

 

[Cathleen]

Is it after you've been using it for a while? If it never shuts off in the first few minutes it's been on, I'd say it's getting too hot.
At 3-4 years old, enough dust has usually been pulled into the cooling fans that the heatsink fins start to get plugged, and it doesn't cool properly. To prevent it from self-destructing, if the CPU gets too hot, it automatically shuts down the computer.

It could also be a recent Windows update that is incompatible with your BIOS. You'll need to flash the BIOS with the latest version if this is the case. That's not something for novices, unfortunately, as if you do it incorrectly, you can completely break (as in, irreparable without changing the motherboard...about a $700+ job.) the computer.

Find the CPU fan exhaust. Usually it's on the back or side close to a corner. See if you can feel any warm air moving out of this when you've been on the system for a while. Especially when the fan is running, if you can hear it.

It can turn off at any time Christine, but your advice is very sound.

The fan is going almost all the time and the outer areas are hot (warm to hot). I did get one of those stands but honestly I wonder what good it is. I have just moved the laptop over about four inches so the fan is not covered in any way (computer is hanging off the desk).

I agree I need to clean it and will.

I wondered about BIOS and know just enough to know it's way over my head so I didn't even look at it.

Thanks very much.

 

[cd1_christine]

Juicywet....

Thank you for the welcome.

My computer was also doing this a while ago. It's a Sony laptop, maybe 2 years old, and when I brought it in to the Geek Squad at Best Buy (where I bought it) they told me there is a disk that comes with each new laptop labeled 'system restore' and that I should do that.

That's kind of the end of the line for someone who doesn't know how to troubleshoot. If someone tells you this, that usually means they're not a very good computer technician. There are reasons why you would want to do this, but certainly not a random shutdown problem.

Before this I had been dealing with the erratic shutting off, and then one day it wouldnt turn back on. I took it in and they told me they needed to put a new hard drive on it (thankfully under warranty). The downside is that when you do this (and restore cd thing) you lose everything you have put on your computer- microsoft office, photos, music....

A dead hard drive would never cause the computer to not turn on, unless it was shorted. I think this is another incompetent tech problem. Unless you're talking about it turning on power-wise, but never booting into Windows properly. Although even that isn't usually a hard drive problem.

I recomend backing up everything you dont want to lose as soon as possible (especially pictures... I lost all of mine.), and then calling geek squad, or bringing it in to the store for an expert opinion. Sorry I can't be more of a help.

j.w.

Now this is the killer. There's absolutely no reason whatsoever that they shouldn't have been able to copy all your files from the failing hard drive to the new one. I've managed to pull files off drives that weren't even recognized by the operating system before, so someone telling you everything is lost because your hard drive is failing is full of it. The only hard drive I've never managed to get anything off is the one that the controller board exploded. And that's kind of a special case, I think.

Hate to break it to you, but I think Geek Squad hosed you. Whoever was supposed to be fixing your laptop needs to go back to school, because this just doesn't make sense.

I'd stay away from any big-box store repair department (why would you take your computer to get fixed at a place that sells large appliances?), as well as the big come-to-your-house places like Nerds on Site (if you have them around you). They're all a bunch of twits. Find a good, small place, and do some research yourself when you have a problem. That's the best way to know for sure that you're not getting hosed, as there are crooked and incompetent small places, too. Although the percentage of them is slightly less, as the big box incompetence seems to run around 100% in my experience.

 

[cd1_christine]

The fan is going almost all the time and the outer areas are hot (warm to hot).

That's the kicker, right there. It's definitely a cooling problem. Get yourself a can of compressed air from a local hardware store, and blow it into the cooling fan intake on the bottom, if you've got one, which it sounds like you do. Point in the direction of the exhaust, and a lot of crap will blow out.
If you don't have the intake on the bottom, you should be able to take the keyboard off the top (usually held on by a few screws, either top or bottom, depending on the laptop) and the fan will be visible then. You might have to take off a couple of bits of plastic trim, if the keyboard is held on from the top. Usually they like to cover up screwheads, so it doesn't look too industrial.

 

[Cathleen]

your more than welcome Cathleen... this is actualy my job! lol

If you were in the UK Id be more than willing to come and help you out! (if you were within an hour or so drive of Chelmsford atm)

Call out fee and 1st hour £25 and £5 for every 15mins after that.

I do tutition and fixing various computer problems...

It sure would be an expensive house call RnR, since I'm in Boston.




Christine's information about where to get service is excellent. There are a few long term places - sort of one man shops - that I have good references on. I have a call into a friend who's always been there for me on computer things and know he'll have some info for me too.

You've all helped me out a lot, I appreciate it very much.