I would first run virus scans. After than check and see if all fans are working properly. If not that, use a different power supply...

the same thing happens to me all the time, mostly when i'm playing some game ou watching videos on youtube. the fan goes high and it suddenly turns off.

The same happens to my notebook. What can I do? :emotion-6: I am tired of having my notebook turning off (it usually happens when I am watching a video, so it's probably the video card getting too hot). I asume it's overheating because the mousetouch thing burns. By the way, it's also an inspiron 1525. :emotion-7:

I'm having the exact same problem. My Inspiron is around the same age and is shutting down completely on its own. I've contacted support paid the monthly fee and nothing helped. They had me run diagnostics by hitting F12 multiple times during start up, ran all tests everything passed. Then I ran the next set of hardware tests which included the fan and still everything passed. Everything I read says overheating, but it says my fan is running fine, my laptop just sits on the table, not on top of any fabric or anything. Don't know what to do about this either. 

Any help would be appreciated!

Hey guys , just did a repair on a 1525 with similar problems, Shutting down, freezing, erratic mouse pad ( Very common ).

I did notice the fan was not coming on, so i cooled the CPU with a continious supply of air from my compressor, only so i could do more testing.

at this stage my main problem was an erratic mouse, did all the usual stuff, check cables, new drivers, even did the tape repair someone mention in another forum, Still no go, So i decide to do the full dismantle the first thing i did and this was removed the Media cable the one on the Hinge cover and Boom the CPU Fan came on, the touch pad stopped its erratic behaviour. ( i Know should have disconnected the battery before pulling it apart as my son would say "MY BAD" )

Anyway had the same model so used the hinge cover form that one and no problem, retried the Faulty one no problem, My best guess is the ribbon cable was not seated properly or at a slight angle, I spent hours trying to diagnose this problem all due to a cable not seated properly ( one that has in my opinion nothing to do with the problems the laptop was having) Anyway thought i'd share and hope it helps someone.

Wizzcom

is it shutting down or is the display just going very dim i.e. can you see you desk top if you shine a torch on the screen ??

I'm wondering whether the issue you found also matches my situation:

- As all other guys/dolls in this forum I have the exact same issue on my 1525 which is now 2 years old.

- Power switch off occurs at any random moment, couple of times per day.

- Power may also switch off during the first diagnostic test (the first test after pressing Fn+on/off-switch) or at any given moment in the System Test.

- IF power stays alive during the diagnostic test, all tests are completed with no error.

- Also multiple system test-runs on the Fan-speed gives always OK.

- CPU temperature appears to be normal (50C) when the issue occurs (also I have fanGUI programming running in background)

Is it possible that this issue issue (sudden fan-stop) also powers down during the low-level diagnostic check?

Now SUPPOSE it was the ribbon cable....is that something I could do?....or does this require a Dell-guy to it? It is not clear to me how to dismantle and find the right cable you are talking about. But if it is just a matter of loosening the right screws, and properly push in this media cable, I might give it a try.

Take a look at your Windows event log to see if there is any messages that may provide a better indication regarding what seems like a thermal management related issue that is causing your laptop(s) to shut down.

Based upon the similar experiences being described by different individuals it seems reasonable to conclude there is a hardware or software problem related to Dell's Inspiron series notebooks versus operator/user error.

I bought a Studio XPS 16 notebook from Dell recently and one issue I am concerned about is when the display lid is raised it partially obstructs the air vent slots, which are located along the rear left of the laptop's case/enclosure.

Ideally there should be no obstruction to venting the heat being generated by a laptop during normal operation and with 20-20 hindsight I believe Dell's engineering staff will agree.

I have exactly the same problem BUT I have a cooling fan under my laptop !

I also have  a Inspiron 1525 bought 2-9-08

It's battery is almost NEVER recognized by the computer, the battery holds a charge because it will sometimes run when it thinks there is no battery, the original charger shorted out within a year, the replacement shorted a few days ago, and it now shuts down when you tilt the computer back but not when you tilt it forward. I've tried cleaning the connections for the battery and charger with rubbing alcohol. Cleaned up a little dirt and they work fine for about 10 minutes.

To sum it up, this computer runs great (when it feels like it), but overall, it's a piece of *** and i recommend stripping any upgrades you gave it (ram, hard drive, etc) and giving it a good beating like i plan on doing.