[destiny0922]

i have a dell inspiron 5100, windows xp... if i leave the computer on for more than 30 minutes, or if ihave the windows mediaplayer, and my aim turned on, the computer shuts off by itself. i have to wait maybe 10 -15 minutes to turn it back on without shutting it off.
ps. im not computer literate, so please talk to me in normal terms if u can...thanks

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Hi destiny0922....Welcome to G2G!

Sounds like it's getting too hot. A quick check for this is to prop the rear of the machine up on a book for better air circulation and see if the problem lessens. If that helps, the solution would be a cooler. If that doesn't help, we'll dig a little deeper.

wannabe1

Edited by wannabe1, 14 September 2005 - 11:26 PM.

[wannabe1]

Hi destiny0922....Welcome to G2G!

Sounds like it's getting too hot. A quick check for this is to prop the rear of the machine up on a book for better air circulation and see if the problem lessens. If that helps, the solution would be a cooler. If that doesn't help, we'll dig a little deeper.

wannabe1

Edited by wannabe1, 14 September 2005 - 11:26 PM.

[Retired Tech]

Download Everest Home here

http://www.lavalys.h...p?pid=1&lang=en

Run it then click + next to computer then sensor, give it a bi then it will show you the temperatures

Run this at start up then every 10 minutes and note the figures, if you see a significant increase then that is most likely the cause.

PC's usually shut down for two main reasons, video adapter or temperature

If you click + next to computer then summary in Everest, on the right you will see display / video adapter, then you can either post the make and model or look at the manufacturer's site for updated drivers

Running the following should establish if it is a harware or software issue

Click start, all programmes, accessories, system tools to run disc clean up, then from system tools, run disc defragmenter.

Click start then run, type sfc /scannow then press enter, you need the XP CD and get a blue progess bar, after the bar goes, reboot.

Click start then run, type chkdsk /f /r then press enter, type Y to confirm for next boot, press enter then reboot.

This will take an hour, it will appear to load normally then either the monitor will show progress or the screen will go blank, do not disturb this.

When it gets to the desktop, the system files and the hard drive will be as they should

[destiny0922]

hey i tried loading the temperature gague from the site u recommended. the temperature for the cpu remained constant. however the fujitsu temperature went up 20-25 degrees. now what should i do?
thanks

Field Value
FUJITSU MHT2040AT PL 31 °C (88 °F)

Field Value
CPU 31 °C (88 °F)

[wannabe1]

Hi destiny0922...

Your temperatures are ok. Well within limits.

Refer to post #3 and run sfc and chkdsk as suggested. Post back with your results.

wannabe1

[destiny0922]

im sorry i forgot to tell u that 25 degrees Celsius was the initial temperature. it rose to almost 55 degrees. thanks

[wannabe1]

destiny0922...

That's pretty warm, but not unacceptable. Have you followed the suggestions that Keith gave you in post #3? He gave you some very good advice that may very well help you. Give it a try and let us know how you do...

wannabe1

[destiny0922]

Device Description Device Type
ATI Mobility Radeon 7500 (M7) Video Adapter

[Retired Tech]

As luck would have it there are two, the latest date is here

http://support.dell....=1&fileid=86672

If you are unsure, check with Dell Tech Support first

http://search.dell.c...at=all&cs=&c=us

Hard Drive Installation (via WinZip) with Setup.exe File for R66756.EXE

Download

1.Click Download Now, to download the file.
2.When the File Download window appears, click Save (Windows XP
users will click Save) this program to disk and click OK. The Save In:
window appears.
3.From the Save In: field, click the down arrow then click to
select Desktop and click Save. The file will download to your desktop.
4.If the Download Complete window appears, click Close. The file
icon appears on your desktop.

Install

1.Double-click the new icon on the desktop labeled R66756.EXE.
2.The Self-Extracting window appears and prompts you to extract or
unzip to C:\DELL\DRIVERS\r66756. Write down this path so the executable (I.e.
Setup.exe) file can be found later.
3.The Self-Extractor window appears.
4.Click OK.
5.After completing the file extraction, if the Self-Extractor
window is still open, close it.
6.Click the Start button and then click Run.
7.Type C:\DELL\DRIVERS\r66756 in the Open textbox and then click OK.
8.Follow the on-screen installation instructions.

[rgjoyce]

Forget all that.
You've got a 5100?
you've bought a laptop with a dud design.
You're not alone. Me too.

Your laptop after a few months of use starts to just shut off?
it's overheating.
you know why?
because the idiots who designed it, put the ventilation input UNDERNEATH the base of the laptop.
so it sucks all the crap from your workspace into the laptop and then blows out the back, that which hasn't stuck to the hot processor heat sink.

How to fix it.
If it's only just started shutting off. You aren't too late for the quick fix.
1. Go an buy a can of compressed air (with tube nozel attachment)
2. Turn off your laptop
3. Turn it upside-down in your hands so you don't scratch it.
4. Turn the base away from you so you don't get covered in crap
5. Blow the compressed air into the BACK vent of the laptop for a few seconds.

And behold. you how should have a correctly working laptop.
I've been doing this every 3 months now for the last two years.
This problem aroze long ago.

The second soultion, use dell service manual to take laptop apart.
carefully remove the head sink and clean it with a tooth brush
reassemple computer.
(don't forget new heatsink gel)

and now all working.
Go buy a can of compressed air.

Good Luck