Laptop Ungraceful Shutdown After Transporting

Oliver Head · 2 Apr 2017 at 15:03

Hello.

I have a power issue with my laptop and I am out of ideas.

It is a Lenovo B560 running Windows 10.

When the lid closes, the unit goes into 'sleep' mode.

The problem occurs when it is being transported in a slip case, which in turn in carried in a bag with a strap over my shoulder.

It appears that during transportation, something happens and the laptop dies. It doesn't shut down - this in an ungraceful power off and this is reflected in the system logs when I switch it back on.

There is always plenty of battery power - 70% or more.

I thought the battery might be loose so have gaffa taped it on. No difference.

I have looked through all Windows power settings - nothing unusual there (ie/ hard disk is not set to turn off at any time).

There are no other power-related bits of software installed.

The unit does not have a motion sensor.

I have been inside and reseated the hard disk, RAM and pretty much anything else I can.

No sign of overheating or any loose connections inside.

If I shake the laptop, it doesn't loose power yet when transported, something causes it to.

Any ideas because I am stuck on this one?

Many thanks.

Oliver.

Oliver Head · 6 Apr 2017 at 11:10

Any ideas?

Thanks.

cyber_pantalaimon · 6 Apr 2017 at 12:55

Oliver Head said:
When the lid closes, the unit goes into 'sleep' mode.

So if left alone on a desk with lid closed for a prolonged period of time, when returned to, the laptop wakes up successfully? Does this ever fail?

Oliver Head said:
The problem occurs when it is being transported in a slip case, which in turn in carried in a bag with a strap over my shoulder.

It appears that during transportation, something happens and the laptop dies. It doesn't shut down - this in an ungraceful power off and this is reflected in the system logs when I switch it back on.

Ill take it you have waited until sleepmode is entered on your laptop? ie you hear the fans power down, perhaps an led pulses to indicate the sleep mode state has been entered?

Does the problem occur intermittently? Or on every occasion when placed into the bag?

Oliver Head said:
I thought the battery might be loose so have gaffa taped it on. No difference.

Do you have any good reason as to think the battery might be loose? Does it appear/sound/feel loose? Has the laptop been dropped? Do you have an additional battery to test it with?

Previous similar issue I had was the result of windows attempting to install a large volume of updates which stopped the device going into sleep mode...

Unfortunately the list of potential problems is pretty long

Oliver Head · 7 Apr 2017 at 22:40

So if left alone on a desk with lid closed for a prolonged period of time, when returned to, the laptop wakes up successfully? Does this ever fail?

Yes - all is OK if left alone. No issues in this instance waking from sleep.

cyber_pantalaimon said:
Ill take it you have waited until sleepmode is entered on your laptop? ie you hear the fans power down, perhaps an led pulses to indicate the sleep mode state has been entered?

Yes - in sleep mode. Cooling fans stop. Power LED pulses.

cyber_pantalaimon said:
Does the problem occur intermittently? Or on every occasion when placed into the bag?

It happens every time it is in the slip case which in turn is placed in the bag.

Carrying in the slip case alone is fine but that is not slung around my shoulder...

cyber_pantalaimon said:
Do you have any good reason as to think the battery might be loose? Does it appear/sound/feel loose? Has the laptop been dropped? Do you have an additional battery to test it with?

Nope - last resort. Battery is secure. The laptop has not been dropped. No spare battery.

cyber_pantalaimon said:
Previous similar issue I had was the result of windows attempting to install a large volume of updates which stopped the device going into sleep mode...

I too thought this but this is not the case.

Thanks for your help so far.

Teknobry · 9 Apr 2017 at 16:57

perhaps just power it down when transporting?

Oliver Head · 10 Apr 2017 at 10:58

Teknobry said:
perhaps just power it down when transporting?

I could but not ideal.

linktoinsanity · 11 Apr 2017 at 13:52

Could you not hibernate it when transporting?

Oliver Head · 11 Apr 2017 at 21:11

linktoinsanity said:
Could you not hibernate it when transporting?

I will give it a go...

a66as · 13 Apr 2017 at 01:42

If i was you i'd save my work and just power it down, maybe even upload your work to onedrive or something. Mechanical hard drives are quite fragile and travelling with it switched on might mess it up.