I am having problems with my laptop shutting down for no reason while i am working on it.

I recently had a virus on it and have since formatted the hard drive and re-installed my software. I am not sure if this could be related to the problem or if it is just a coincidence that the shutting down problem sarted around the same time.

Once it has shut down it often takes a few attampts to get it to startup again because it keeps shutting down part way through startup.

My thinking on the problem is that the laptop is overheating (possibly a fan has failed) and that it is shutting down to prevent damage to components. The reason for me thinking this is that there is a are of it which feels 'too hot' and it always seems to be when the computer is working and it is hot that is shuts down. Also if it wont start up again, if I leave it a while to cool down it seems to be ok again.

Any other suggestions before I call the manufacturure.

The laptop is a Fujitsu Siemens which i have purchased through a scheme at my workplace and as such it comes with a 3 year warrenty but I want to be sure its a hardware fault causing the problem and not as a result of the virus.

Overheating ... faulty memory ... bad contacts ... :(

Try using the Microsoft Memory Diagnostics tools to see if you have a problem with the RAM. Are you getting a blue screen, or is it just restarting?

http://oca.microsoft.com/en/windiag.asp

Drop a program on to monitor CPU temps - worth checking

Duff battery, or circuitry perhaps.

My laptop has a problem when on battery, in that it reports that the battery has 0% charge to XP. I had to disable the auto shutdown and low battery alarm. The laptop still runs for 2hrs on a completely dead battery.

My son also has a Fujitsu Siemens laptop and has exactly the same problem.

Works fine when its working.

I reckon youre right about the overheating.

He has a habit of using it in bed and tends to leave it lying on the bed switched on.

My guess is that it has picked up fluff and dust as is well clogged up.

Im going to take it apart and give it a clean next time hes home and see what happens.

Looking round on the net it seems these models are prone to this problem

Duff battery' date=' or circuitry perhaps.

My laptop has a problem when on battery, in that it reports that the battery has 0% charge to XP. I had to disable the auto shutdown and low battery alarm. The laptop still runs for 2hrs on a completely dead battery.[/quote']

Could be this.

If you enable 'hibernate' then if you see your laptop hibernating before it shuts down, windows is causing it. If it just switches off without telling you then it's a hardware issue.

Would always expect an overheating issue first from what you describe on a laptop, especially when you're commenting on the hotness issue. Could be a sticking or failing fan? How old is the machine?

Next on my list would be faulty RAM. If it's still under warranty as you say, give them a ring anyway and see what they advise. Worth mentioning that you've heard of other models doing the same, if that's what your net search brought back. From experience, they often want to know if you've tried a Windows re-install with these types of 'vague' faults, to rule out dubious software installs, virii, worms etc etc - which is exactly what you're wondering about

Steve