Dell Inspiron 1420 shuts down instantly randomly. Then you have to reboot. Sometimes it does it repeatly others it doesnt. I have formatted and done a fresh install but the problem continues. I have also changed the ram... Still happens....

is the fan of your lap works

You may have to many running processes, use this procedure to speedup Windows Vista: http://www.pcworld.com/article/143538/windows_vista.html Make sure your Windows and Dell Updates are current and up-to-date. Have you cleaned the fan, vents, and heatsink with Compressed Air? Is the Laptop getting sufficient air flow? Use these two freeware programs to cleanup your Laptop. 1, CCLEANER: http://www.filehippo.com/download_ccleaner/ Use the cleaner and registry to remove junk and free up HDD space. In the TOOLS section, select STARTUP, disable ALL unnecessary startup/running programs, this will free up memory. 2, MALWAREBYTES: http://www.filehippo.com/download_malwarebytes_anti_malware/ In the install, UNCHECK the Trial Pro version, you want the freeware version, run a FULL scan, delete ALL results, reboot. You can find ALL your Dell Drivers here: http://www.dell.com/support/drivers/us/en/04/Product/inspiron-1545

Yes, most likely. When a computer reboots randomly, it is usually some hardware malfunction, but when it shuts down completely, it is almost always heat-related. The CPU fan is usually the first place to look!

The issue could be due to various reasons such as corrupted display drivers.
Visit the below link for more information
http://notebook-solutions.blogspot.com/2009_07_05_archive.html

hdd is bad and cannot be formated look for an ide hdd and replace it know that will solve the problem. rate this solution

Go back into Safe Mode, and try to run a system restore to a date where this issue did not exist.

you need to enter setup by tapping one of the f keys or the delete key. i'm not sure which it is for this model. when you enter the bios setup change the boot order to boot to the dvd first. hit f10 and save the change then reboot with your install disk in the drive. it should start installing.

http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/driverslist.aspx?c=us&cs=555&l=en&s=biz&ServiceTag=&SystemID=INS_PNT_PM_1420&os=WLH&osl=en&catid=&impid=
from here download the bluetooth driver..

Try starting explorer by going to file\new task (run..) and typing explorer.

If it doesnt work, just type msconfig on the same box and go to startup tab, leaving everything unmarked, just reboot your pc and problem should be solved

Sounds like it could be a virus. Or, a heat buildup problem - are all fans inside machine working? Is the fan inside the power supply operating? Was there any work done inside the computer recently?
If the hdw is all ok, go out and buy yourself a copy of Norton Internet Security 2009 - 1 user lic - $49.99 @ Staples. Do *not* buy any earlier vers. of this software! Install, update it, run computer computer scan - probably will find/remove some/many viruses.

If this helps, please take the time to rate my response to you.
Thanks and good luck.

gurutim