Computer is powering down after several seconds

Hi,

My sons A110 is switching off after about 30 seconds of being powered up.

Even if your just press F2 at the boot up sequence and go into the setup menu and just leave it their for a bit, it will still power down.

It is a 8gb SSD model, was running Tiny XP but that won't boot now, get blue screen of death and machine powers down.

Any ideas ?

Dave

 

Sounds like it is overheating. Possible that the heat sink has come loose from the CPU.

 

I am experiencing this exact issue. Were you able to resolve it on your machine?

 

Same problem with my Acer AOA150.

Powers down and switches off in seconds... will not allow me to re-install or use any bootable disks with an external DVD/CD.

Originally came to me with a BSOD fault when booting up Windows XP but it stops everything all but flashing the bios.

I've managed to change the bios from 3305 to version 3310 because it was done using the emergency boot sequence of ESC and FN then pressing ON/OFF button twice. Fault is still happening.

It seems to power off when the LED for the HDD goes off.

Even trying to use Hirens Boot CD has no success... you can just about get to the 2nd level of menus and then off it goes!

ANY FURTHER THOUGHTS OR ADVICE WOULD BE VERY MUCH APPRECIATED.

SOMEONE IN THE WORLD MUST KNOW HOW TO CURE THIS PROBLEM, WHY ARE ACER'S SUCH A PAIN???

 

Since yesterday... no change with Acer One, it's still cutting out after a couple of seconds but I have re-formatted the HDD and copied a disk image backup which I know is working on another AA1 using Windows XP.

The reason I re-formatted the HDD was because of the BSOD... eventually I managed to read that the HDD was suffering an "Un-mountable Boot Volume" error.

I had no way of getting to a DOS prompt, even safe mode crashes, so could not recover or get into the Windows Recovery Console.... the short cut-out time wouldn't let me do it!

So took the bull by the horns and stripped it down placing the HDD into a hard drive docking station (brilliant piece of kit) to run a few tests.... no viruses, no trojans, all completely clear.

Copied over the disk image using Acronis 2010 with the HDD in the docking station, booted AA1 and it lasted about 2 seconds longer than it had previously.

I'm beginning to think it's a more serious heat problem as some other contributor suggested... the heatsink coming away from the CPU although I noticed nothing un-toward when the AA1 was opened up.

I've never had my fingers around thermal paste, so, I think it's a job for an expert.

 

Here's an update to my previous two comments:-

<=P=R=O=B=L=E=M.............S=O=L=V=E=D=>

The cooling fan wasn't working so a small dismantling job has taken place to clear the debris and fluff from the fan blades.

My wife has a similar AA1 and so I started her PC and could hear the fan whirring, but not on mine.

The easy way to tell if it's running is, at boot-up, hold the Acer in the palm of your hand. If you can feel any small vibration there's a good chance that the fan is working, otherwise, off with the casing!!! You need to go as far as removing the motherboard.

Look at some of the YouTube videos where extra RAM is being added, that will give you an idea of what has to be done. I would add that there is a possibility that you may need some Thermal Paste especially if you remove the fan assembly because the CPU is underneath.

Good luck!!

 

Let me suggest (as owner of a still running 2002 vintage Dell, that now and then has a fan squeal, as well as this netbook) that before dismantling the unit, try air spray if you already have it, or a pure-solvent (no lubricant) isopropanol electrical contact spray, available at electronics shops like Radio Shack. I wouldn't do neurosurgery where an aspirin will cure the headache.

 

this happened to mine also (powered off after 30 seconds.)

fan stalled I tried caned air ...etc to get fan cleared without success had to take unit apart and lubricate/clean fan works fine afterwards.