Linux Format forums

Re: Laptop Random Shutdowns

Fat_Tuesday — Sat Jan 07, 2012 11:48 am

Author: Fat_Tuesday

Posted: Sat Jan 07, 2012 11:48 am

Thanks for the replies! Removing a ton of crap has cooled my lappy down loads and I'm now learning about cron jobs to keep an eye on whatever's left. Thanks again!

Re: Laptop Random Shutdowns

nelz — Thu Jan 05, 2012 12:12 am

Author: nelz

Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2012 12:12 am

Doesn't Ubuntu use /var/log/syslog?

Anyway, the syslog may not have any temperature-related entries.I'd set up a cron task to send the output from sensors (part of lm_sensors) to a file every five minutes and look for any trends there.

Re: Laptop Random Shutdowns

MartyBartfast — Wed Jan 04, 2012 8:52 pm

Author: MartyBartfast

Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2012 8:52 pm

Not sure what it will put in the logs, but /var/log/messages is the place to look.

You might be able to check the CPU temp by opening up a console in Ubuntu and doing

Code:

acpi -t

FWIW If your fans are blocked the air can might not be a lot of use, it certainly wouldn't have been any use when the same thing happened to my daughters Dell as it was so stuffed with crud, the only way to clean it out was to open it up.

Re: Laptop Random Shutdowns

Bruno — Wed Jan 04, 2012 6:32 pm

Author: Bruno

Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2012 6:32 pm

Hi There,

I think most or all of the logs on a linux system are located in /var/log/. Have a look at this page for more info. I think for start-up and shut-down info, you need /var/log/messages. Does the laptop just switch off instantly or does it run through the shut-down procedure first?

BTW, comments on the accuracy of my reply from any more-seasoned geeks would be welcome as I'm still learning.

Laptop Random Shutdowns

Fat_Tuesday — Tue Jan 03, 2012 7:27 pm

Author: Fat_Tuesday

Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2012 7:27 pm

Hi all,

This is happening in ubuntu 11.10 and Vista. My lappy randomly shuts itself down and the only thing I can think of is that it's overheating (in Vista I was gaming using Steam, in ubuntu I was playing Warsow). I can get some canned air to clean the cobwebs and clag out but was wondering if there's a system log in ubuntu that I could check that would be of any use?