PCTech Forums

Posted: **Thu Jul 01, 2004 5:02 pm**

I have a Dell Inspiron 8000 running XP.

About a week ago, if my computer is idle for approx 30 minutes it automaticaly shutsdown. No warning, no sounds etc. It must be shutting down properly as when I turn it back on, there is no 'need to check' blue screen....just restarts normally.

I did and F2 start....and left it there, and my computer did not shutdown and even left it overnight.

What could this be? What should I check? I did a current virus check and I'm clean.

Posted: **Thu Jul 01, 2004 5:29 pm**

Your problem may lie in your Power Management settings.

I always set the following settings to Never, but you can adjust to your preference

Set Turn off monitor Never

Set Turn off hard disks to Never

Set System standby to Never

Set System hibernates to Never

Read this:

Posted: **Thu Jul 01, 2004 6:14 pm**

I had already checked the power management. And set everything to NEVER.

But, I just went back and looked thinking I didnt hit 'apply' or something.

Everything is still set to NEVER.... But I noticed at the top, it defaults to office/home desk. So I clicked it and gave me other options..... laptop! DUH.... it was set to 30 mins shutdown.

Pretty dumb and silly, but thought I'd reply in case somebody else reads this down the road and didnt realize there were other options to check in the power management.

THANK YOU!! I'm assuming my computer is fixed now!

Posted: **Thu Jul 01, 2004 6:27 pm**

Not dumb or silly at all just overlooked, Im glad I could be of some help, if I was at all

Posted: **Thu Jul 01, 2004 6:52 pm**

Posted: **Fri Jul 02, 2004 12:34 am**

I'm back, it didnt work. I have ALL power management options set to NEVER. Again, 30 minutes idle time....and it shuts down.

I called Dell, they did not check ANY of my settings at all. Just said I need to start over and reformat my hard drive?????????

Posted: **Fri Jul 02, 2004 1:13 am**

Thats typical from Dell, they like to take the easy way out.

Are you using your battery when this happens, this may be a sign of a worn-out battery

Posted: **Fri Jul 02, 2004 2:53 pm**

Posted: **Fri Jul 02, 2004 2:57 pm**

Posted: **Fri Jul 02, 2004 3:58 pm**

Posted: **Fri Jul 02, 2004 4:17 pm**

Posted: **Fri Jul 02, 2004 7:44 pm**

Yes they do know they were the last to work on the computer.

They gave NO other options to correct problem other than reformat. But this was coming from a 1st level tech (which I HATE to talk too), and he checked NOTHING on my computer. Just said "you need to reformat and you will loose everything", but is your only option.

If I'm working on the computer, it never shutsdown. Only when idle.

Posted: **Sun Jul 04, 2004 6:08 am**

Check the bios power settings-- It might also shut down if it gets too warm.

Posted: **Sun Jul 04, 2004 9:05 pm**

How do I check that?

PCTech Forums

Unknown shutdown after 30 minutes idle time?????

Unknown shutdown after 30 minutes idle time?????

Didnt work. Any other suggestions?