Latitude E5400 and random shutdowns

[Duke5A]

I'm at a complete loss for this now. I've got a Dell E5400 Latitude laptop that will randomly shutdown; just like as if the battery were pulled right out from under it. It'll do this on battery or AC power. I'm certain it is not an OS issue as it happened with the original XP load, and now with a fresh Win7 image. MemTest86 comes back error free, and running the CPU wide open for an hour with a burn-in utility does nothing either. The only clue I can find is in the BIOS under Power Events in the System Log section. Every time there is a shutdown an event is logged showing the power down was due to WDT. I know WDT is some kind of watchdog timer, but I can't seem to find anything about it on Google. The system is still under warranty, but I don't know what part to request for replacement. Besides, without an error code or clear cut failure Dell will deny any parts request. Any ideas guys?

[6Foot2]

I have found Dell to be helpful [particularly so when the device in question is still covered by its warranty]

 

You could try talking to Dell. What have you got to lose?

[Duke5A]

Dell's phone support to me at least has always been next to useless, but you're right; maybe I can convince them to send a main board. The laptop will even power down now when running the Dell Diagnostics. Thanks...

[localzuk]

Report it via the online reporting tool, and see what they say. We have 200+ of that model laptop and we've only had WDT stuff turn up once.

 

The only *really* odd one we had was down to a user being odd around electronic equipment. He'd touch the laptop and it'd switch off instantly. Anyone else, and it was fine... Is it just one user on this laptop?

 

Have you tried swapping out the RAM, and trying a different battery/power supply?

Edited May 18, 2012 by localzuk