Laptop Shuts Completely Off After Exactly 30 Minutes

[Niosai]

I have an HP Pavilion 17-e112dx laptop running Windows 8.1.

It functions perfectly and runs smooth as butter. No issues at all. However, every 30 minutes on the dot, it shuts off. No shutdown sequence or prompt or error. Just a complete loss of power.

Note: This PC has a fresh install of Windows 8.1.

My troubleshooting attempts are as follows:

1. I've disabled any hibernation and sleep options. All options are set to "Never"

2. I've left it on without the battery and only with the power cable. I've also left it with just the battery.

3. I've monitored the internal temperature, and it stayed normal throughout.

4. I've run a live cd of Ubuntu and left it on there. Still shuts off at 30 minute mark.

5. I've left it in the BIOS menu after startup. Still the same shutdown after 30 minutes.

6. I updated every single driver I could find, from chipset to BIOS. No changes.

7. I've gone through every BIOS setting I have available, and none of the changes I've done have any effect. Interestingly, my BIOS seem to be limited for the end-user. I have no power management options. Just boot order, and fan running settings.

8. I tried to see if my laptop has the Intel (And McAfee) Anti-Theft that could cause this 30-minute shut down, but I'm unable to install anything to do with the Intel Management Engine, so I guess I don't have it.

9. I tried switching out my RAM sticks with different, new RAM. No changes.

I'm not sure how to proceed. It doesn't make any sense that this laptop can work perfectly, yet shut off at exactly 30 minutes after being powered on. I've timed it, and it's 30 on the dot, meaning something is timing this somehow.

Does anyone have any other ideas? I'd really appreciate it, as I don't want to get rid of a perfectly good laptop.

[ieee488]

Did you buy it used?

Try turning off the wifi and disconnecting Ethernet cable during the 30 minutes it is on.

Is it possible that the laptop has LoJack protection?

[Niosai]

I actually got this laptop passed down to me. The previous owner was an older lady who only ever used it in the following way:

1. Power on

2. Go to Pogo.com using internet explorer

3. Power off

For about 3 years. 

It's never been used in any other way.

[ieee488]

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@Niosai wrote:

I actually got this laptop passed down to me. The previous owner was an older lady who only ever used it in the following way:

1. Power on

2. Go to Pogo.com using internet explorer

3. Power off

For about 3 years. 

It's never been used in any other way.

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I still suggest turning off the wifi and removing the Ethernet on the laptop during those 30 minutes.

[Niosai]

I'll go ahead and try this now and report back.

[ieee488]

see if https://superuser.com/questions/215531/how-can-i-shut-down-the-pc-after-specified-amount-of-time makes any sense

[Niosai]

I tried turning off Wi-Fi. Didn't work. Also, that article wouldn't address why this would happen in the BIOS.

[ieee488]

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@Niosai wrote:
Also, that article wouldn't address why this would happen in the BIOS.

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I have no idea what you are talking about?

BIOS ?   Where did that pop up in your head?

[Niosai]

The article you linked seemed to involve creating events in Windows that would schedule a shutdown. The reason that wouldn't apply to my situation is because the shutdown happens even if I'm in the BIOS menu for 30 minutes. 

[ieee488]

If there is LoJack installed in the laptop that may explain the odd behavior.

There is probably an unknown program triggering the 30 minute shutdown that you may have inadvertently set.

You could do a restore to factory settings. Save all your data first.