Why Would a Laptop Die While in Use?

Many people opt for a laptop computer due to its portability.

Laptops are increasingly popular due to their portability. Unfortunately, there are conditions in which the laptop will unexpectedly die while you are using it, possibly resulting in data loss and definitely resulting in a loss of productivity.

Causes

Lack of power causes many laptops to die while in use. One reason is that the laptop user ignores the warning stating that the battery power is low and to switch to AC power. However, if you are running on AC power and the power cord is unplugged, the laptop may also die if your battery is old or has no charge left. Other causes of unexpected shutoff include overheating and hard drive failure. Overheating is caused by blocking the cooling vents and hard drive failure can be caused by moving or jarring the laptop while it is on.

Consequences

If the laptop shuts off unexpectedly, data loss may occur. In addition, in the case of overheating, you may have to wait until the laptop cools down before you can turn it back on. This results in a loss of time and productivity. Finally, unexpected shutoffs can lead to hard drive failure.

Prevention Tips

To extend battery life, adjust your power usage, reduce the screen brightness, limit the use of USB-powered devices, turn off the wireless card and use AC power whenever possible. To prevent overheating, use your laptop on hard surfaces and never place your laptop into a carrying bag while it is on. Turn off the laptop when moving it, avoid low battery shutoffs and avoid any jarring to the laptop to prevent hard drive failure.

References

• Carnegie Mellon University: Laptop Care and Troubleshooting
• University of Missouri Extension: Extend Your Laptop Battery Time
• National American University Online Newsletter