Diagnosing Unexpected Laptop Shutdowns and Restarts: A Case Study of a Seven-Year-Old Origin EVO15-S
Laptops are essential tools for many users, especially those who rely on them for work, gaming, and creative pursuits. However, over time, hardware and software issues can arise, leading to unpredictable behavior such as sudden shutdowns or restarts. This article explores the troubleshooting journey of a user experiencing these issues on a seven-year-old Origin EVO15-S gaming laptop, with insights into potential causes and diagnostic steps.
System Specifications and Background
The laptop in question is an Origin EVO15-S, running Windows 10 (version 10.0.19045, build 19045). Key hardware features include:
– Processor: Intel Core i7-8750H (6 cores, 12 threads) @ 2.20 GHz
– Memory: 16 GB RAM
– Graphics: NVIDIA GTX 1070 with Max-Q design
Historically, the device has faced minor issues such as keyboard failures and stripped screws hindering maintenance. Recently, however, a new problem emerged: the system periodically powers off without warning and auto-restarts, sometimes during resource-intensive activities like gaming, video calls, or photo editing.
Initial Troubleshooting and Repairs
A local repair technician replaced the failing CPU fan, which was clearly dying. During the repair process, it was noted that the laptop’s battery was visibly bulging—a sign of potential failure. The technician removed the battery, suspecting it was contributing to system instability.
Attempts to operate the laptop solely on power adapter after removing the battery yielded mixed results: the system still crashed, albeit less frequently. The user resumed operation with the battery reinstalled, noting some improvement but continued instability.
Hardware Stress Tests and Diagnostics
To narrow down the root cause, systematic hardware testing was conducted:
- CPU Stress Test (Prime95): Ran successfully for over 30 minutes, maintaining high temperatures but no shutdowns.
- GPU Stress Test (FurMark): Operated for approximately 30 minutes before system shutdowns occurred. GPU temperatures peaked at around 71°C, with hotspot readings reaching 82°C—temperatures considered safe under load.
- Memory Testing (MemTest86): No errors detected.
- Storage Health (CrystalDiskInfo): Drive health appeared normal.
Event Log Analysis
Critical system events logged in Windows Event Viewer consistently pointed to “Kernel-Power
Share this content:
