Laptop shuts down when running Windows Experience Index

Bruce Schechter

Estimable
Oct 7, 2014
6
0
4,510
I bought a used Alienware M17 R1. I had problems booting it up, but these appear to be solved since I opened it up and blew out the fans with canned air. It appears to work fine until I run the Windows Experience Index, at which point the computer shuts off and so does the AC adapter (the light goes off and I have to unplug/replug it)
When I attempt to run a heavy graphics game I'm informed that I need DirectX 11 to play. I checked and DirectX 11 is loaded. I reloaded it and still the problem. I tried upgrading the video driver and this broke things further--the screen was black after booting Windows 7. This has brought me to the limits of my limited knowledge. What should I do next?
 

Panays

Estimable
Jul 15, 2014
43
0
4,610
Download HWmonitor to check your CPU temps and GPU. Windows Experince index stressing your PC somehow to give you the Ratings so your laptop may shut down because of overheating (not necesseraly because of dust). If its a heating proplem then you may need to apply new thermal paste. If the temps are low then maybe your power adaptor can't give enough wattage to your laptop, but this happens when your battery ware is high. If nothing helps you then you can always have a fresh install of windows 7
 

Bruce Schechter

Estimable
Oct 7, 2014
6
0
4,510
I've checked the temperature with Speedfan and it seems okay. I also have tried running the Windows Experience Index on a cold, just-booted, machine. Same results. I was also concerned about the power adapter (its shutting down seemed odd) so I got a new one and still the problem persists. I am running the computer without a battery so I too thought the power adapter was flaky. And I've done a fresh install of windows 7. Nada. The message about no directx 11 is also odd, don't you think? When it crashes on the windows experience index it's running some sort of 3D test of the video card(s), apparently the very first test.