Computer shutting down randomly

aje · 01-04-2006, 09:07 PM

My Slackware 10.1 + DLG laptop seems to be shutting down randomly. This has happened at least three times during the course of this evening. I've been looking through /var/log/syslog for errors that may be relevant to this problem, but I'm not having much luck. I can't really distinguish serious errors from less serious errors in my syslog.

Has anyone else had similar problems? I'll post part of my /var/log/syslog below.

I noticed gaps in time between error reporting. I thought these messages may be relevant since the system would be down for a couple minutes after shutting down.

Code:

Jan  4 20:25:47 bedslack insmod: /lib/modules/2.4.29/kernel/drivers/hotplug/shpchp.o.gz: insmod shpchp failed
Jan  4 20:25:47 bedslack insmod: /lib/modules/2.4.29/kernel/drivers/hotplug/pciehp.o.gz: init_module: No such device
Jan  4 20:25:47 bedslack insmod: /lib/modules/2.4.29/kernel/drivers/hotplug/pciehp.o.gz: Hint: insmod errors can be caused by incorrect module parameters, including invalid IO or IRQ parameters.       You may find more information in syslog or the output from dmesg
Jan  4 20:25:47 bedslack insmod: /lib/modules/2.4.29/kernel/drivers/hotplug/pciehp.o.gz: insmod pciehp failed
Jan  4 20:25:52 bedslack inetd[1478]: sgi_fam rpc/tcp: pmap_set: 391002 1 6 806: Address already in use
Jan  4 20:25:52 bedslack inetd[1478]: sgi_fam rpc/tcp: pmap_set: 391002 2 6 806: Address already in use
Jan  4 21:47:52 bedslack kernel: Linux version 2.4.29 (root@midas) (gcc version 3.3.4) #6 Thu Jan 20 16:30:37 PST 2005

cwwilson721 · 01-04-2006, 09:14 PM

Have you tried obvious things ( in a laptop) like reseating your memory?
Checking the battery?
Or even CMOS battery? (reseating)

That may help, since a laptop moves around alot more than a desktop

Also, when it shuts down, does the screen just blank? Or does it shutdown like it's supposed to?

If the display just blanks, are there any blinking lights on your system? (If so, might be just going into a sleep mode)

Are your fans blowing at any time? Test with this:

echo -n "0" > /proc/acpi/fan/FAN0/state turns it on

echo -n "3" > /proc/acpi/fan/FAN0/state turns it off

Does the keyboard feel overly warm?

Sorry, the hardware tech in me is coming out. With the "won't turn back on for a few minutes", that's screaming 'hardware' to me

Try all that, let us know

aje · 01-04-2006, 09:23 PM

I haven't put much thought to physical movement being the cause of these problems because, although this is a laptop, It is sitting on a desk and I don't take it anywhere.

When it shuts down, the screen just blanks. No lights blinking, just the light that indicates that the power cable is plugged in. I haven't noticed any unnatural warmth, and I haven't noticed any problem with the fan. It runs while the machine is on and doesn't run when the machine is off.

cwwilson721 · 01-04-2006, 09:25 PM

Just updated the post a minute ago with more stuff

aje · 01-04-2006, 10:06 PM

There is no acpi directory in my /proc.

cwwilson721 · 01-04-2006, 10:10 PM

Ah well. That kills off a few other things to check also....
Try it on just battery...See if that affects it. After that, who knows? Can be a billion things

aje · 01-04-2006, 10:19 PM

Meaning try running the computer on just battery power?

That isn't exactly possible. The batter in this machine has been useless for a long while. It only lasts a few minutes before dying so the computer must be plugged into a power outlet at all times.

cwwilson721 · 01-04-2006, 10:37 PM

So it's prob a issue w/ your ac adaptor. It cuts out, laptop dies. Thats why there are no errors messages in your logs