Hi Erif,



Unfortunately I can't give you good news. Before I wrote this,  I already "knew" what the complaints are

about the Dell Inspiron.

Just a simple search like " inspiron random shutdown" or similar will give you oodles of stories of woe.

While I still think it may be heat related , the search related links cover a gamut of problems -often not resolved -

with regards to this very problem.



Some problems related to overheating  (causes): CPU not properly cooled -fan failure or too slow or intermittent.

CPU not properly seated or lack of heat transfer compound.

There is some protection for the CPU that it will shutdown if a certain temp has been reached or exceeded,

but repeated overheating will result in total failure.



After the re-start do you get any warning notices to the effect of " Your computer was shutdown improperly"? "

or similar?

If the computer doesn't have an onboard utility to show temps ,try CPUID's Hardware monitor

http://www.cpuid.com/softwares/hwmonitor.html (free  and pro)



I would also check Windows Event logs - (Event Viewer)  Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Event Viewer )

and check each section for warnings .Some are just marked as info ,but may still indicate a failure of a service or device.



Have you gone to the Dell support section regarding your particular model?



Peter E.



--------------------------------------------------

From: "Erif" 

Sent: Tuesday, March 26, 2013 11:25 AM

To: <[log in to unmask]>

Subject: Re: [PCBUILD] screen flicker & fade



Hi, Peter,



Thank you for your advice.  The fans were running fine, so I cleaned all 

the vents and set the computer on a rafia mat to give it more air 

circulation.

The flicker and fade has ceased!



Unfortunately, now I  have a new issue:  the computer turns itself off.  

It will do it after a few minutes, or sometimes after an hour.  It 

doesn't matter whether or not I'm on line.  It just turns itself off.  

When I re-start, everything proceeds as normal, until it decides to turn 

itself off again.  Any advice?



Thank you,]

Erif.



 



                         PCBUILD's List Owners:

                      Bob Wright<[log in to unmask]>

                        Mark Rode<[log in to unmask]>