Vista unexpected shutdown with no restart, no apparent reason

[TinWV]

I'm running Vista Premium on a Gateway MT6451 notebook.

My computer continues to shutdown unexpectedly for no apparent reason. It
does not restart automatically. I can restart it, usually with no problem,
but this is keeping me from accomplishing anything. I have to constantly save
files, etc to avoid losing them. Yesterday this happened about 7 times. The
frequency seems to be increasing.

This has happened when the only application I had open was Mozilla Firefox.
I've used the reliability monitor and it lists several disruptive shutdowns.

The only other symptom is my HP printer. When I move my laptop, I unplug the
printer USB. When I plug it back it, it has to completely reload drivers,
etc. I have deleted the printer from my system to see if it's the cause, but
I can't keep it that way!

I've also used the Memory Diagnostic tool, which is supposed to check memory
and restart the computer. It did not restart the computer when I ran out, so
I don't know if it actually "did" anything.

I ran Checkdisk and it reported my problems.

I've run McAfee and there are no viruses.

How do I obtain diagnostics to determine the problem and where do I find
error logs, etc? Please speak in layman's terms and pretend I'm clueless.
I don't know where to go from here. I've searched the Microsoft Knowledge
base, but found nothing that seems to apply.

 

[Steve Easton]

Sounds like an issue with an overheating CPU.

 

[Rick Rogers]

Hi,

Is there a stop error?
Have you checked the system logs in the event viewer?

If is shutting down with no messages, then it is being initiated by the
system hardware, likely in response to an overheating condition. It could be
that a fan or its control is faulty, or that the intake/exhaust vents are
being blocked. Most hardware will do this now to prevent damage to the
system, and it won't get better until the problem is corrected by replacing
the faulty unit or ensuring proper heat dissemination.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com

 

[TinWV]

I found the event log. There are two errors that appear somewhat regularly:
Source R300, event ID 43015, task category DAL
Source ACPI, event ID 6, task category none.

As for overheating, that could be the issue. My fan seems to run almost
constantly, and the computer wills till feel quite warm where I rest my hands
to type. Fortunately, I'm still under warranty. I will have that checked,
unless you know what the above errors mean. I certainly don't.

Thank you.

 

[Rick Rogers]

Hi,

I don't believe they are related, and as it's still under warranty that is
most definitely the path you want to take.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com

 

[TinWV]

Today:
I've let it completely cool down (turned off) three times and run the Memory
Diagnostic Tool. It got to 84%, 12%, and 90%, then shuts down. The computer
did not feel warm at all.
Could this be memory related?

 

[AlexB]

There is a company that makes convenient fans for notebook computers. I used
to buy them on eBay they cost $25.00 a few years ago. they are durable and
convenient. I also use them to cool down small free standing pieces like
modems, routers, etc.

They are flat and fit a notebook size.

 

[TinWV]

I removed the panel on the bottom and cleaned out the fan areas. I also ran
the Memory Diagnostic Tool and it went all the way through with no errors.

The problem seems to be fixed! It's been on for about four hours and still
is not warm on the top.

Thanks for all your help, everyone.

 

[Tim_d30]

I'm running Vista Premium on a Gateway MT6451 notebook.

My computer continues to shutdown unexpectedly for no apparent reason. It
does not restart automatically. I can restart it, usually with no problem,
but this is keeping me from accomplishing anything. I have to constantly save
files, etc to avoid losing them. Yesterday this happened about 7 times. The
frequency seems to be increasing.

This has happened when the only application I had open was Mozilla Firefox.
I've used the reliability monitor and it lists several disruptive shutdowns.

The only other symptom is my HP printer. When I move my laptop, I unplug the
printer USB. When I plug it back it, it has to completely reload drivers,
etc. I have deleted the printer from my system to see if it's the cause, but
I can't keep it that way!

I've also used the Memory Diagnostic tool, which is supposed to check memory
and restart the computer. It did not restart the computer when I ran out, so
I don't know if it actually "did" anything.

I ran Checkdisk and it reported my problems.

I've run McAfee and there are no viruses.

How do I obtain diagnostics to determine the problem and where do I find
error logs, etc? Please speak in layman's terms and pretend I'm clueless.
I don't know where to go from here. I've searched the Microsoft Knowledge
base, but found nothing that seems to apply.