Computer Turns Off Suddently - HP EliteBook 8470p

[sebasgomezj]

Hi,

For years I've had this problem, and I finally found this site to ask. My computer simply dies suddenly every now and then. I have a friend who has the same model and has the same problem, so it might be an all-model problem. Maybe not. If it is the case, maybe HP can fix it? Any information helps as I'm clueless. I have changed the battery twice and the problem doesn't go away.

[edit]

Thanks in advance.

Sebastian Gomez

P.S: I already tried the "System Fast Test" and "System Extensive Test." and both times the Battery Check was "CANCELED"

[Dragon-Fur]

@sebasgomezj 

This is an older computer - the product was introduced in 2012

I cannot tell you what is happening - I can offer some limited advice on some places to look...

At the least, especially if you had never done so, I would guess the battery needs to be replaced.

HP EliteBook 8470w Mobile Workstation and HP EliteBook 8470p Notebook PC Maintenance and Service Gui...

Part numbers and easy replacement procedure on page 67

What else?

There are few recent software and driver updates - the most recent are those dated 2019 that include the BIOS and a possible Video driver update for the Intel graphics driver.

The AC adapter may be failing - this is not as common, but can happen.

If you are running any "really old" software on the system that is no longer supported - for example, an outdated and no-longer-supported version of Windows Office, this might have an impact.  

You might be able to track down what is going on using the Event Viewer and / or the Reliability Monitor / Report.

Lesson 3: Using Event Viewer to Troubleshoot Problems

Event Viewer in Windows

How-To Geek > Lesson 3: Using Event Viewer to Troubleshoot Problems

Information at a glance > Reliability Report

How to use Windows 10’s Reliability Monitor to fix and fine-tune your PC

•   How to Troubleshoot Windows 10 with Reliability Monitor

Reliability Monitor is the Best Windows Troubleshooting Tool You Aren’t Using

If you have not reloaded Windows in a long time, it is possible the File System is showing signs of corruption.

Microsoft:  Use the System File Checker tool to repair missing or corrupted system files

Windows 10

DISM and sfc

Start cmd with admin

Windows key + X + (then) A  (admin cmd prompt)

Run the DISM software first: DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth

Log File:  C:\Windows\Logs\DISM\dism.log

Next

Run the sfc software: sfc /scannow

Log File: C:\Windows\Logs\CBS\CBS.log

Reference and Resources – Places to find help, solve problems, and learn about your Device

Device Homepage

NOTE:  Content depends on device type and Operating System

Categories:  Warranty Check, HP Drivers / Software and BIOS, How-to Videos, Bulletins/Notices, How-to Documents, Troubleshooting, User Guides / Manuals, Service and Maintenance Guide (Replacement Parts and Procedures), Product Information (Specifications), more

When the website support page opens, Select (as available) a Category > Topic > Subtopic

HP EliteBook 8470p Notebook PC (ENERGY STAR)

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[sebasgomezj]

What a meticulous response. Thank you so much. I already tried updating the hardware, but hasn't fixed the problem. I will continue to try the rest of the solutions and let you know if I have any questions.

[Dragon-Fur]

@sebasgomezj 

You are welcome.

The battery check "cancelled" is due to something I cannot recall at the moment - and if the battery is working (has been replaced twice, and is within its "about a year" lifespan), then I would ignore that for now.  If I come across the notes on this, I will edit this message.

If the disk is the older HDD style and has been in there for a while (more than two years?), it might be racking up bad-bits and errors.  Chkdsk can help with repairing the file system and marking bad sectors as "not to be used".   Nice program - has some limitations, of course, and the days are gone when we could easily repair corrupted system files piecemeal.

If the OS has been on there for a while (over a year or two), that (assuming you are comfortable doing so) a simple reloading of the Operating System might actually help.  The second assumption is that hardware is not intermittently glitching.  

If you have not done so (and I am not reading the beginnings of the thread right now), consider the Fan / CPU might be dirty, dusty, or in need of new thermal paste.  Normally, this would flag as an overheating problem, so the idea is "hunting Easter eggs" more than solid advice.

The only last advice I have for you is to keep your backups current - and make sure you are backing up to other than on the computer.  Cloud storage comes to mind, USB stick, email yourself the occasional important file... "something".

Good Luck.

Stay safe.

Thank you for participating in the HP Community Forum.

We are a world community of volunteers dedicated to supporting HP technology