[Georgia Girl 2]

Go to internet options and get rid of all history, cookies and passwords then do system restore then run malwarebytes.

If that doesn’t work take the laptop to Micro Center and tell them to fix it or for $350 buy a new laptop.

[LesbianThespianGymnasticMidget]

I think you need to run the full diagnostics routine Dell provides on a disk partition. I think it is the f12 key during boot. Test everything. That should eliminate hardware issues. Do that first.

Next type cmd into the program finder box. Right click on cmd and run as admin. Type SFC /Scannow into the black box and run it. It verifies OS files and fixes stuff if it is corrupt. If that fails to fix stuff. PM me.

[raybbr]

Had the very same issues on three other PC’S. Each one needed a new hard drive and a complete reload.

[Vic S]

All these heat related issues is why I’ve gone with SSD (solid state disks) on two laptops now. Doesn’t run nearly as hot (nothing spinning) and drops haven’t been a problem, where even small drop of JUST a foot would cause problems.

[roamer_1]

Simple first steps, critical in order to understand:

1.) Make sure there are no USB or Flash drives (camera chips) in any bay (NO peripherals of any kind). If there is, take it out, and leave it out... Does that fix it?

2.) Make note of environmental obstruction to fan intake and exhaust - Operate only on smooth surface (table top) with nothing around the machine. Use a can of air to blow out the intake/exhaust. Does that fix it?

3.) Take out the battery and run only on 110 power. Does that fix it? Replace battery, running only on battery (w/o 110 power) Does that fix it?

4.) Inspect 110 cable, power supply, and plug-ends for damage. Use a different wall plug. Wiggle the connection where 110 plugs into the machine, trying to cause shut-off... Can you make it die? Does wiggling the plug make it cycle between batt/100 use? If possible, borrow an equivalent power supply and cord from another machine (maybe a friend has a similar box)... Does that fix it?

5.)Boot it into safe mode and leave it run... does the problem still exist in safe? Boot it to an external media (Windows CD, Linux Live CD, etc) Does the problem exist in the external booted system?

6.) Hook it to an external monitor or TV, using display properties to shut off the on-board monitor while hooked to the other (be sure to set it back before disconnect) Does that fix it?

If none of the above, it will be an internal issue, and probably needs a hands-on tech to diagnose/fix... There are some other things to try, but would require some experience on your part... Let me know if you feel qualified to go internal...

[Feckless]

Hold down the Fn key and power the laptop on, it will enter on-board diagnostics mode. After the tests finish, assuming it finds no hardware problems open the event log while in Diagnostics mode to see if it is shutting down due to overheating. If it is each event is date/time stamped.

I work Tech Support for TxDOT which has bought thousands of these POS...

[minnesota_bound]

#29 Good information. People forget that dust can get in or figure they can not disassemble the laptop like a desktop pc to clean. My desktop pc was like the inside of a vacuum cleaner until I bought these vent filters.
Thermaltake Magnetic Fan Filter Cooling AC-004-ON1NAN-A1 Black http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KHO0I6K?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00

Download Speccy to get the temperature. https://www.piriform.com/speccy

Check the following Power Options and change to these settings. When Windows does updates they can be changed back from want you changed as Microsoft thinks they know best. Sleep mode and Power buttons and lid can be the cause.

Control Panel> Power Options> Change plan settings> select never for both items seen then click on Change advanced power settings

A dialog box pops up:
Hard disk> Turn off hard disk after - Setting <- change this to a high number like 2000
Sleep> Sleep after: Never
Allow hybrid sleep> Setting: Off
Hibernate after> Setting: Off
USB settings> USB selective suspend setting> Setting: Disabled
Power buttons and lid> Power button action: Setting Shut down
Sleep button action> Setting: Do nothing
Display> Turn off display after> Setting: Never

[VOR78]

Like several others, my first inclination is to think you’ve got a severe overheating issue. That would be the first thing I’d check for.

[MeneMeneTekelUpharsin]

Bump for when my lapdog jumps down...or something like that. :D

[W.]

Mind didn't shut down but I noticed it was very warm to the touch near the CPU area and below the keyboard. I took it apart and founs this:

I take it apare every 6 months or so to keep the fuzz from blocking the airflow.

[Dalberg-Acton]

I see not one person has asked the most important question, “Are you logged in?”

[DouglasKC]

With laptops a lot of the times it’s a heat issue affecting the cpu. The easiest way is to unplug it, take the battery out, and try to clean it out as much as possible by using compressed air to blow out dust. Try to get to any fans...if the dust has accumulated on the fan blades it will make it less effective.

[Company Man]

Well, about 40 people have suggested it's an overheating issue. The question is, Will you buy a clue?

[daniel1212]

You need to respond to someone,

[jacknhoo]

I had a problem with my Dell, sounds like the same thing. I noticed Microsoft Silverlight had loaded itself on...I removed it and it is fine now. Someone else on a forum had a similar problem and it was a program named DropBox that was causing it.

Possibly check for any newly loaded programs you didn’t load.

[trebb]

Could be faulty power supply or possible heat problem. Sometimes the cooling fans go bad or get clogged with dust. Not likely to be the OS.