Alienware Laptop shuts down and won't restart

tfwfh · 07-13-2007, 02:34 PM

I just got 2 year old alieware sentia used from a friend. I had to replace the hard drive, but otherwise everything seemed to be fine for about 5 hours. Then for no apparent reason it seemed to shutdown, and I could not restart it until I unplugged it and pulled the battery. I restarted, and the same thing happened again. When it happens, an led shaped like a padlock comes on near the HD access light. I'm wondering if this is something like a security/anti-theft feature and if anyone knows how to disable it.

Thanks for any help.

**TheMatt** · 07-14-2007, 02:34 PM

Do you have Windows installed on that machine? If so, then download MobileMeter from my sig and post the temps it displays when it is running. Post both the temps when it is idle and if possible when it is under load.

If you don't have Windows, it should be possible to use Wine to run MobileMeter, or you can use a Linux utility. Do you have GNOME or KDE installed?

tfwfh · 07-15-2007, 08:38 AM

Hi, thanks for the response.
I spent a few more hours looking through other forums, and it appears to be a problem with the battery. It doesn't hold a charge anymore and it shuts itself down whenever it gets to less than 1%, even on AC power. Seems that taking the battery out "solves" the problem, at least until I can buy a new one. Thanks again, and sorry for the trouble.

**TheMatt** · 07-15-2007, 10:57 AM

Batteries can also be a source of heat problems. Hopefully though a new battery will fix it.

07-13-2007, 02:34 PM	#1 (permalink)
tfwfh Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 2 OS: Fedora 7	Alienware Laptop shuts down and won't restart I just got 2 year old alieware sentia used from a friend. I had to replace the hard drive, but otherwise everything seemed to be fine for about 5 hours. Then for no apparent reason it seemed to shutdown, and I could not restart it until I unplugged it and pulled the battery. I restarted, and the same thing happened again. When it happens, an led shaped like a padlock comes on near the HD access light. I'm wondering if this is something like a security/anti-theft feature and if anyone knows how to disable it. Thanks for any help.

07-14-2007, 02:34 PM	#2 (permalink)
TheMatt TSF Enthusiast Join Date: May 2006 Location: Boston Posts: 13,701 OS: Win 3.1, 98, NT 4.0, XP Debian 4.0, Kubuntu 6.06 My System Blog Entries: 3	Re: Alienware Laptop shuts down and won't restart Do you have Windows installed on that machine? If so, then download MobileMeter from my sig and post the temps it displays when it is running. Post both the temps when it is idle and if possible when it is under load. If you don't have Windows, it should be possible to use Wine to run MobileMeter, or you can use a Linux utility. Do you have GNOME or KDE installed? __________________ - Matt M - KB1OSC - Folding@Home 85015 [url="http://www.techsupportforum.com/hardware-support/"] If TSF has helped you, please consider donating. If I have stopped responding to a thread, feel free to send me a PM with a link to the thread. It is advisable to subscribe to threads so you will receive updates when replies are posted. You can subscribe to threads from the "Thread Tools" Menu. »Memtest86 »Prime95 »UBCD »SpeedFan »NHC Personal »Everest »Sandra »PC Wizard »RivaTuner »ATi Tool Click here for Useful Articles and Guides

07-15-2007, 08:38 AM	#3 (permalink)
tfwfh Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 2 OS: Fedora 7	Re: Alienware Laptop shuts down and won't restart Hi, thanks for the response. I spent a few more hours looking through other forums, and it appears to be a problem with the battery. It doesn't hold a charge anymore and it shuts itself down whenever it gets to less than 1%, even on AC power. Seems that taking the battery out "solves" the problem, at least until I can buy a new one. Thanks again, and sorry for the trouble.

07-15-2007, 10:57 AM	#4 (permalink)
TheMatt TSF Enthusiast Join Date: May 2006 Location: Boston Posts: 13,701 OS: Win 3.1, 98, NT 4.0, XP Debian 4.0, Kubuntu 6.06 My System Blog Entries: 3	Re: Alienware Laptop shuts down and won't restart Batteries can also be a source of heat problems. Hopefully though a new battery will fix it. __________________ - Matt M - KB1OSC - Folding@Home 85015 [url="http://www.techsupportforum.com/hardware-support/"] If TSF has helped you, please consider donating. If I have stopped responding to a thread, feel free to send me a PM with a link to the thread. It is advisable to subscribe to threads so you will receive updates when replies are posted. You can subscribe to threads from the "Thread Tools" Menu. »Memtest86 »Prime95 »UBCD »SpeedFan »NHC Personal »Everest »Sandra »PC Wizard »RivaTuner »ATi Tool Click here for Useful Articles and Guides