Dell Inspiron 400 -Zino HD

[Gloria E]

What does it mean when the computer shuts down automatically? It's a desktop computer with Windows Home Premium installed.

I was working, writing something I saw on the monitor, I looked up at the screen and it was black. I checked the on/off button and the computer was off. When I restarted I got the message that the computer had not shut down normally and I had to chose how to restart. I chose Normal and the computer started with no apparent damage. I'm afraid that this might be the beginning of trouble and I'd like to nip it in the bud if I can.

Can someone explain why this happened and what I should do so that it doesn't happen again? This was the first time it happened and it scared me half to death. I was afraid that it would not start again, but it did.

Gloria E

[HansV]

Perhaps there a very short power break?

[Leif]

...and check the power lead is plugged in securely both ends.

[John Gray]

See if there's anything relevant in the System Event Log?

[viking33]

Are you sure that it didn't just slip into "hibernation" with no screensaver showing?
How long was it that you were writing and the machine was idle?

[Gloria E]

Perhaps there a very short power break?

If that were true, wouldn't it happen again? It's been a couple of days and no reoccurrence. There were lightning storms in the area but it had stopped when the black out happened.

[Gloria E]

Are you sure that it didn't just slip into "hibernation" with no screensaver showing?
How long was it that you were writing and the machine was idle?

That could be, but since it's never happened before or since, leaves that explanation suspect. I was looking at the screen every few sentences, so that was not long at all. I never use screen savers.

[Gloria E]

See if there's anything relevant in the System Event Log?

John: I will check the log to see if any thing relevant has happened.

Leif: I checked the power plug and every thing looks alright to me.

[viking33]

Are you sure that it didn't just slip into "hibernation" with no screensaver showing?
How long was it that you were writing and the machine was idle?

That could be, but since it's never happened before or since, leaves that explanation suspect. I was looking at the screen every few sentences, so that was not long at all. I never use screen savers.

Right but with no screensavers, the screen just goes black.
Control Panel>Power Options>Check When the Computer Sleeps.

[HansV]

We'll probably never know.

Did your PC come with a diagnostics utility from Dell? On mine, it's Start > All Programs > Dell Support Center > PC Checkup. If you have that, or something similar, you could run a scan to see if there are hardware problems.