Windows 10: Display Shutdown Event Tracker? Where is it?

I DID poke around the event log some more, and found a "critical" error around 11:00 this morning. It did reboot earlier too, after being away, forgot about that, sorry. There are a number of them too. The error is:

"The system has rebooted without cleanly shutting down first. This error could be caused if the system stopped responding, crashed, or lost power unexpectedly."

It's plugged in 100% of the time, so hopefully it's not that one, but I looked at the other critical ones and here's a typical one that seems to be from "Kernel-Power". Hmm:

BugcheckCode 268435583 BugcheckParameter1 0x8 BugcheckParameter2 0xffffd58114babf50 BugcheckParameter3 0x3ee0d730 BugcheckParameter4 0xfffff8010b6a90c6 SleepInProgress 0 PowerButtonTimestamp 0 BootAppStatus 0 Checkpoint 0 ConnectedStandbyInProgress false SystemSleepTransitionsToOn 0 CsEntryScenarioInstanceId 0 BugcheckInfoFromEFI true CheckpointStatus 0

Oh man, I hope this isn't my battery or something bad!

elaine
who apologizes for being a bit scattered here.

 

It may be best to go ahead and create a new BSOD thread with the info from above to see if the BSOD experts may be able to help point you in the right direction.

 

I am NOT getting a BSOD. However, I just ran a Lenovo Diagnostics on the machine, and was surprised to see that the Battery Health Test Failed, the error saying "Battery has lower than expected relative capacity". This ties in with the power thing mentioned earlier, but as noted, it's not on battery, it's plugged in. I don't even know what this means *Sad Is not not holding power? It's original to the laptop which is pushing 5 years (and sadly for me, was under warranty for the first four). Does it even USE battery when it's plugged in?

 

That would explain the sudden shut down.

Sometimes leaving it plugged in will allow you to avoid the battery issue, but it would be best to replace the battery if able.

 

I read somewhere that a "typical" battery life is 2 years. That doesn't sound very good, but again, if it's always out and about, that makes a certain amount of sense. Since mine is rarely unplugged, well, I've gotten 5 years *Smile

elaine

 

Thanks to someone in another forum, I believe I have the answer. After a number of months or more, I'd recently started running BOINC again, and until it was mentioned, I never connected that to anything. Here's what was said: "...started running BOINC again. This, by design, works your CPU (and maybe GPU, depending on what project you're running) to its max. It is possible that your laptop is thermally overloading and either the CPU panics and does an immediate power off or something goes wonky and you bluescreen."

I never had a bluescreen as noted, but once I disabled BOINC, I haven't had this problem since. I'm sorry to hear this, tho, given I like the BOINC concept, but not at the expense at my machine! Does anyone know what machine part can cause this kind of issue? Battery? Something else? If it's something replaceable, I'd far rather try that than buy a whole new laptop.

Thanks to all who wrote!

elaine

 

If you can run your laptop from the wall socket continuously, you can remove the battery completely. Until you get a replacement (highly recommended!) I'd suggest this as a possible strategy to see if you can avoid the power/availability issues you've been experiencing. Years ago, Tom's Hardware recommended that for laptops left constantly plugged in, it's better to discharge the battery to 40% capacity, then store it in double ZipLocs in the refrigerator to keep it from deteriorating (I translated this article from German into English, actually). After a full charge-up when re-inserted into the laptop (or a secondary charger) this is supposed to help ensure maximum battery life. I can't find that article anymore so that advice may be passe (I don't follow it myself, either; I just replace my batteries when their relative capacity drops below 80% of the factory-original rating).
HTH,
--Ed--

 

I actually do keep it plugged in pretty much 24-7, as I rarely use it outside of the house, just if we travel more than a day or so. But wouldn't that mean that the battery effectively isn't being used? If not, why would it be affected?

Interesting. I've heard this too, loosely anyway, no percentages.

I'm looking at it now, and it says it's at 100%. This after about 5 years when it may have actually been on battery maybe the equivalent of a week or two. How is "relative capacity" detected?

TIA
elaine

 

It's relatively easy to get Windows itself to report on remaining battery capacity (aka "battery life"). Open an administrative cmd.exe or PowerShell session, then paste this string into the prompt line:
Code: powercfg /batteryreport /output "C:\battery_report.html"[/quote] After this runs (it's quick!), you can exit the cmd.exe or PowerShell session, then open the battery_report.html file in your favorite Web browser. In Chrome, it looks like this:



Notice the lines at the bottom of the output page. They provide Windows' best (and a reasonably accurate) guess as to remaining battery life. When the percentage under the "Capacity Remaining" header drops close to 80%, I start looking for a good battery deal. I'm on my 2nd battery for both of my Lenovos, after purchasing them in late 2012/early 2013, so it's not something you need to do all that often.
HTH,
--Ed--

 

Good morning, Elaine.

My daughter and I both have ruined batteries by leaving the laptop plugged in 24/7. It's just not good for the battery and will make it fail down the line. Of course, this may not hold true for newer batteries, but I still make it a point to unplug and keep my laptop in its case when not in use. I haven't lost a battery since.

Here's a link that will tell you a bit about batteries and how to care for same:

Laptop Battery Care - How to extend the life of your laptop battery

 

Helpful resource, Wynona! Thanks for posting. I've added it to my Favorites under the Laptops heading.
--Ed--

 

Ed, I ran that report (VERY helpful, btw, didn't even know about it!) I've uploaded it here: Battery report Interesting tho, it shows as 100% capacity remaining, and the battery usage pretty much matches trips we've made. Interestingly too, even tho I'm a 100% admin on my machine, it made me run it as admin. Guess Windows wants to be extra specially sure you really really really want to do something *Smile

That all said, to Wynona's point, I totally do not disagree, but FMI how does a battery go bad if it's not used at all? Luckily as I said, I DO have it on battery from time to time, but not all THAT much.

Thanks to both of you!
elaine

 

Batteries degrade over time as the electrolyte (or equivalent) loses its oomph and as the positive and negative poles inevitably develop corrosion and their ability to conduct electricity degrades. It's the battery equivalent of aging: we don't remain as flexible and strong as we were in our primes, either! *really
I usually get 2-3 years out of my laptop batteries on heavily used machines, and seldom keep one more than 5 years so I really can't tell you if they do or don't last long than that!
HTH,
--Ed--

 

Good morning, Elaine.

Think of that flashlight sitting on the shelf for a few months. You take it down to use it one dark night, and it won't work. You open the battery compartment only to find that the batteries are all corroded. Put simply, batteries die from disuse. What Ed said! *Smile

 

Even if they aren't being used? I mean, I do understand entropy, guess that's what it is?