[-KingWalnut-]

Ok, so I'm the tech support guy that everyone I know comes to when they want problems sorted, but this particular problem has me completely stumped.

My girlfriend has a Dell Inspiron laptop (can't remember the specific model number, but it's a couple of years old with those interchangable lids), and when it's turned on it will work for anywhere between 10-30 seconds before completely cutting out. This is not a problem with the operating system because if I go into the BIOS menu it will still cut out after less than 30 seconds.

HOWEVER

Sometimes, it won't cut out and it will successfully load into Windows and then be fully operational indefinitely, so for me that would rule out any error with the hardware. If she standby's her laptop every time she's not using it then she does not experience the cut-outs, it's only when booting from fresh that it takes 2-3 hours (or more) of cutting out before it will finally boot into Windows.

I thought it was an overheat problem, so I took the thing apart and fully dusted it out and re-sat the heatsinks with fresh arctic silver paste. Didn't fix the problem. Then I think perhaps the temperature sensor might be malfunctioning and cutting the laptop because it thinks it's too hot? But then that makes no sense if the laptop works perfectly fine if it can manage to boot into Windows..


So I need a second opinion. Hoping there's many here more knowledgeable than me that might be able to shed some light on this. A google search brings up very little.

Thanks

[TLK]

My old Toshiba laptop does the exact same thing. I first thought it was the battery (since I've had the laptop for 6/7 years old and never had to change the battery) so I thought it may be time to change it. However, I started the laptop without the battery (had the charger put in) and it still did the same thing.

Have you checked if there any of the hardware hasn't melted? Also when it shuts down does it stop charging? Have you looked at the charger socket (w/e you call it) to see if anything isn't loose since the metal thing in the middle of the socket thing is kinda wobbly on mine so it may be the same for you as well.

[-KingWalnut-]

Yeah it's wobbly on her laptop and falls out really easily, though the laptop does charge if it's completely powered off. I also tried booting it with the battery removed and the problem's still there.

The hardware looked all okay when I was resetting the heatsinks, though I haven't completely disassembled the whole thing so I can't be 100% sure. I'll have a closer look at the charger socket when I next see her. You think that could be the basis of the problem? (Though that still doesn't explain why once it's booted, it will run forever and not cut out at all).

[TLK]

I'm not 100% sure if it could be. Your girlfriends laptop seems to be doing the exact same as my Toshiba. Sometimes it will randomly shut down and sometimes it just runs fine. Also when you do get the laptop, check if the charging light appears and keep the laptop charging for a while and see if it has charged or increased. Since I have to leave my laptop charged when ever in use and yet it never charges to 100%. It will just stay the same percentage.

How long has she had the laptop? If your not able to figure out the problem then I'd advise you to just go to PC World. Just ask them if they could figure out the problem. I don't think they charge for that, just for fixing.

[-KingWalnut-]

People at PC world know something about laptops? :P

It does seem to be something to do with the power supply. I'll see if I can go about replacing the charging plug, because that's annoying anyways.

[Iqbal007]

(Original post by -KingWalnut-)
Ok, so I'm the tech support guy that everyone I know comes to when they want problems sorted, but this particular problem has me completely stumped.

My girlfriend has a Dell Inspiron laptop (can't remember the specific model number, but it's a couple of years old with those interchangable lids), and when it's turned on it will work for anywhere between 10-30 seconds before completely cutting out. This is not a problem with the operating system because if I go into the BIOS menu it will still cut out after less than 30 seconds.

HOWEVER

Sometimes, it won't cut out and it will successfully load into Windows and then be fully operational indefinitely, so for me that would rule out any error with the hardware. If she standby's her laptop every time she's not using it then she does not experience the cut-outs, it's only when booting from fresh that it takes 2-3 hours (or more) of cutting out before it will finally boot into Windows.

I thought it was an overheat problem, so I took the thing apart and fully dusted it out and re-sat the heatsinks with fresh arctic silver paste. Didn't fix the problem. Then I think perhaps the temperature sensor might be malfunctioning and cutting the laptop because it thinks it's too hot? But then that makes no sense if the laptop works perfectly fine if it can manage to boot into Windows..


So I need a second opinion. Hoping there's many here more knowledgeable than me that might be able to shed some light on this. A google search brings up very little.

Thanks

Be careful cleaning computer parts due to electrostatic issues.

It could also be a software issue, try re-installing all the latest drivers.

[-KingWalnut-]

(Original post by Iqbal007)
Be careful cleaning computer parts due to electrostatic issues.

It could also be a software issue, try re-installing all the latest drivers.

Not to insult you, but you didn't even read my problem. If you read and understood the problem you'd know that re-installing the drivers is not possible and drivers are not the issue. And thanks, in the 10 years that I've been building/fixing/maintaining computers, I'm aware of electrostatic issues. Do not patronise me.

Please don't contribute to a thread if you're not even going to read the original post.

[Iqbal007]

(Original post by -KingWalnut-)
Not to insult you, but you didn't even read my problem. If you read and understood the problem you'd know that re-installing the drivers is not possible and drivers are not the issue. And thanks, in the 10 years that I've been building/fixing/maintaining computers, I'm aware of electrostatic issues. Do not patronise me.

Please don't contribute to a thread if you're not even going to read the original post.

I wasn't trying to be patronising :/

You can re-install drivers or an updated version because it could help, considering you opened it up, got rid of the dust and any possible heat issues.

[-KingWalnut-]

Turns out the CMOS battery was basically flat.


So much for your re-install drivers solution it had nothing to do with them. Now go away and learn something.

Thanks to TLK for your advice

[TLK]

(Original post by -KingWalnut-)
Turns out the CMOS battery was basically flat.


So much for your re-install drivers solution it had nothing to do with them. Now go away and learn something.

Thanks to TLK for your advice

Ahh no problem glad I could help.