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Solve : Uncommanded Shutdown and Reboot?

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I have a Toshiba Satellite P100 which is about 18 months old. (OS is Windows XP) It has developed a problem which I have been unable to fault find myself hence my visit to this forum.
The computer will unexpectedly shut itself down and then reboot with no error messages or indications as to why. When it reboots back up there is no log of the shutdown and no indication of why. It does not seem to be related to memory or cpu load as it will do it in all situations from when simply surfing the web up to running high memory usage games.
So far I have tried the latest Virus scans from Trend Micro Security Pro, and ran a Registry checking program. Also I have not had the problem occur WHILST in safe mode but am UNSURE if this mode "loads" up the system enough.
Also I have completely cleaned all the internals, including both fans and heat sinks on motherboard. The temp does not seem too high but I wanted to eliminate this as a reason. The system has two 1 GB memory chips and ran the computer with one at a time installed (I suspected memory faults) but it still did its own thing and rebooted unexpectedly.
I am about to clean the decks and reinstall Windows XP, but am intersted in any suggestions before I try this approach.
Thanks for any advice in advance
It could in FACT be an overheating issue.

I suggest downloading Speed Fan and installing it.
Once installed, post the temperatures it reads.Thanks for the LINK for the temp monitoring.

I have installed the temp monitor and run the computer for over 2 hours with no shutdown...go figure.

The highest temp readings achieved are:
HDO 33C
CPU0 62C
CPU1 68C
Video Card 63C
Video Ambient 61C

I will continue to monitor and report.

Thanks for your assistanceOk, keep monitoring the temperatures and if/when the computer shuts down, tell us what they are.
Quote from: allawah0401 on September 14, 2008, 10:21:50 AM

Thanks for the link for the temp monitoring.

I have installed the temp monitor and run the computer for over 2 hours with no shutdown...go figure.

If it's sitting idle, it probably won't shut down. If you try playing a game, the CPU will be stressed more and get hotter. After about 75C, it'll probably shut down...

Quote
The highest temp readings achieved are:
HDO 33C
CPU0 62C
CPU1 68C
Video Card 63C
Video Ambient 61C

Typical Toshiba laptops with Pentium 4 Prescott CPUs...According to this: http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=2911&review=Toshiba+Satellite+P100+P105, this laptop has Intel Core Duo T2400 1.83GHz processor, and its max temp is listed at 100C.Wow...a Core Duo is reaching those temps?!!!

Even if its max temp is 100C, 60+C idle is awfully high...

I guess I was thinking P4 Prescott because two of my friends have Toshiba Satellites that have problems overheating...both were P4 Prescotts at 3.0 GHz...I agree...
Even for laptop, this:
CPU0 62C
CPU1 68C
is high, especially, if this is idle.As per suggestion I stressed the CPU by running several applications plus a video intensive game. After about 10 minutes I had the shudown. It is difficult to note the actual temp at shutdown but I did see the core cpu temp briefly get to 78C prior to the shutdown.
From the replies to date it seems as though it is the problem.

I am also interested in suggestions as to how to solve the high temps. As I stated in my initial post I have cleaned all the components and fans thouroughly....maybe a rebuild with a new layer of heat transfer compound is my only way out.Try putting an external house-fan next to the computer and let is blow at it.

Agrees with Carbon Dudeoxide. House fan would be a good start.

Unfortunately, with laptops, your options for better cooling are limited.

Try one of these options:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Description=laptop+cooling&x=0&y=0
I have done some work since the last suggestions and unfortunately my defect still exists. I have again completely disassembled the computer, cleaned everything including both fans, removed all heat transfer compound and reapplied new compound to every where it originally was. As the problem continued after the rebuild I set it up off the table and set a house fan so that it blew across the underside of the computer. The temps were much lower (None went above 47C) and I still have random shutdowns. Sometimes from idle and sometimes from high usage.

So I am at a loss what to do next. Would software possibly be causing this problem? I am about to format the hard disc and start afresh, or is this a WASTE of time?

Any suggestions would be appreciated as this laptop is getting close to a one way trip to Toshiba heaven.You mentioned that the computer was fine in Safe Mode.

So, I suggest you go to Start --> RUN --> type msconfig and press Enter
When you get to msconfig, click the Startup Tab and uncheck as many programs as you can (except antivirus software).
Press OK and then restart the computer into Normal Mode.


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