I need help with my laptop

[Greylyn58]

Lately after my laptop has been on a while it will just suddenly turn itself off. I can't figure out why.

My first thought was that it was becoming over-heated and was shutting down. I'm still not sure.

I've run virus scans and spyware scans and that doesn't seem to help either.

Please help!!! Any suggestions are welcomed.

[democracyindanger]

1. Hibernates or shuts down?

The hibernation settings on your laptop may have changed somehow. Check your sleep settings.

[Greylyn58]

2. I'm talking about turning itself completely off

and when I try to restart it, it will turn off again.

[hobbit709]

3. Is the external power connected

or is it just running on batteries?

[Greylyn58]

4. It's connected to external power

thru a surge protector.

[welshTerrier2]

5. couple of things to check ...

most laptops have various settings that you can control that have to do with hibernation after periods of inactivity ...

not sure if this is what's causing the symptoms you're seeing but check this out:

right-click on your desktop and then left-click on properties ...
my laptop has a tab called "screen saver" ... choose that tab ...
there is a section on this page called "monitor power" that has a button labeled "power" ... click that button ...
look thru the various tabs that are shown now ... check out "power schemes" and "hibernation" ... these are probably what's controlling the auto-shutdown you're seeing ...

hope this helps ...

fwiw, i don't think anything is wrong with your laptop; i think it's acting according to the settings you have ...

[Greylyn58]

6. My laptop is shutting down

it's not hybernating. It is shutting down completely. It's a Toshiba and I've never had a problem until recently.

[Ready4Change]

8. Are you actively using it when it shuts down?

Are you in the middle of typing, mousing, etc...?

[Greylyn58]

9. Yes, sometimes, but not always.

I'm beginning to think it's a heat problem. It's been very hot and humid here in NC and I think that is what's causing the problem.

Still I would like other opinions.

[Old and In the Way]

11. My laptop runs real hot. It's a 2.8GHz Pentium

It's designeded to shut off if the thermal switch trips. I bought a Targus Laptop cooler (It's a thin spacer with 2 muffin fans that help to move the air under the laptop. It runs off USB power.) Haven't had an issue with that since.

[bemildred]

7. Some related discussion here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=242&topic_id=4028&mesg_id=4028

[lpbk2713]

10. Could be dust buildup inside.

How old is it and what kind of environment do you use it in? Look at the opening where the fan is and that might give you an idea. If it looks dusty you might want to open it up and dust it out lightly with a clean new one inch paint brush. Those compressed air cans are OK for small jobs but not for a thorough cleaning.

If you have too much dust it will act just like a sheet of insulation and cause the internal components to overheat and then shut down without warning. Good luck.