Laptop "turning itself off".

[ElJaffacakeo]

Hello,

 

I have a brand new (in June) Dell Inspiron 1750 laptop (basic entry level machine).

 

I seem to have a problem in that the laptop appears to be turning itself off, although its not really off. What I mean by that is, the screen goes off, I have no control over it, nothing functions, but the light is still on and it still sounds like it is running. I should say that, generally it does this after I resume the laptop from 'sleep' mode by lifting the lid, but It has done it whilst I have been in the middle of using it at least once. It doesnt do it all that often, but enough to worry me.

 

Anymore information I should supply to you?

[BeeCeeBee]

You need to check your power setting for your laptop. What you are describing is a monitor shut down after a certain period of inactivity and that is followed by a hrd drive shut down etc.

 

You should be able to hit any key or (if set) wake the machine with a mouse click.

[ElJaffacakeo]

You need to check your power setting for your laptop. What you are describing is a monitor shut down after a certain period of inactivity and that is followed by a hrd drive shut down etc.

 

You should be able to hit any key or (if set) wake the machine with a mouse click.

 

I have my laptop set to not do that though. The other day it happened whilst I was in the middle of using it, so it isnt happening through inactivity. Also, when it happened whilst I was using it, it made an odd noise until I switched it off. It sort of sounded like some kind of moving part was stuck and trying to move, making a sort of rapid tapping sound.

[BeeCeeBee]

That sounds like a faulty Hard Drive. Copy and/or backup to an external medium so that your data is preserved and get on to Dell ASAP. The only moving part in a laptop is the drive arm. A clicking or grating sound is almost always a failing drive. I used the word "faulty" above because it is brand new and was probably bad from the start.

[ElJaffacakeo]

That sounds like a faulty Hard Drive. Copy and/or backup to an external medium so that your data is preserved and get on to Dell ASAP. The only moving part in a laptop is the drive arm. A clicking or grating sound is almost always a failing drive. I used the word "faulty" above because it is brand new and was probably bad from the start.

 

I was afraid of that being the problem. You wouldnt happen to know what surrounds Dell and warranty do you? Ive got this horrible feeling that eventhough Ive only had the laptop for 4 months, it comes with pretty much no warranty!

[BeeCeeBee]

A 4 month old computer will still be under warranty. I do not know where you are located but you should have a Dell service tag number on the bottom of your laptop. There also should be a written copy of your warranty and perhaps that is also on a PDF file.

 

This is the US site but you can change it to another country at the very top of the page. You will need to call customer support in any event. Dell System Information / Dell Warranty Extensions & Upgrades / Dell Warranty Status

[BeeCeeBee]

A 4 month old computer will still be under warranty. I do not know where you are located but you should have a Dell service tag number on the bottom of your laptop. There also should be a written copy of your warranty and perhaps that is also on a PDF file.

 

This is the US site but you can change it to another country at the very top of the page. You will need to call customer support in any event. Dell System Information / Dell Warranty Extensions & Upgrades / Dell Warranty Status

 

I just noticed that some Dell warranties are only 90 days. Good luck!

[ElJaffacakeo]

I just noticed that some Dell warranties are only 90 days. Good luck!

 

That'll be mine no doubt!!

 

 

EDIT - Just went on Dell and got my warranty details, got 234 days left. PHEEEEW!

Edited October 30, 2010 by ElJaffacakeo

[BeeCeeBee]

Good news! Hopefully you can get a backup before it goes for good. Don't wait and dont ask it to do anything but copy files and data to an outside source and then take it in for a new HDD. Once you have created your backup delete everything that you don't want anyone to see and make sure that whoever you take it to wipes it clean before returning it to Delll.