Good day Computer engineers, please come to my aid. I am getting this error on my Dell Latitude E6420... "Your system automatically powered itself off because it became warmer than expected. This may have been caused by:
o) operating or storing the system in an enviroment where the ambient temp is too high or,
o) obstructing the air flow from the system fan vents.
If this problem recurs please call Dell Support with error code #M1004."

The PC takes several attempts to boot and when it finally powers on, it displays the above error message and then begins to work normal. But as soon as I switch it off, to get it back on again takes the same process - booting up after several attempts and displaying the error message again.

How do I get around this issue please?

It's an over heating issue.
The thermal paste on the cou heat sink is probably dried off.

You need to open it up and clear out the dried paste and apply new paste.

Realtalk20:
It's an over heating issue.
The thermal paste on the cou heat sink is probably dried off.

You need to open it up and clear out the dried paste and apply new paste.

Thank you for swift response sir. Please what kind of paste? It's been sold in the market right?
And also, is this something I can easily do myself?

I appreciate your help.

Richnero:
Thank you for swift response sir. Please what kind of paste? It's been sold in the market right?
And also, is this something I can easily do myself?

I appreciate your help.

Any kind sure you can get it on konga or jumia or any computer assessories store in your location.

It's very easy to replace thermal paste on a laptop... Go on YouTube and search you would see some guides

Richnero:
Thank you for swift response sir. Please what kind of paste? It's been sold in the market right?
And also, is this something I can easily do myself?

I appreciate your help.

Any kind sure you can get it on konga or jumia or any computer assessories store in your location.

It's very easy to replace thermal paste on a laptop... Go on YouTube and search you would see some guides ..

Realtalk20:


Any kind sure you can get it on konga or jumia or any computer assessories store in your location.

It's very easy to replace thermal paste on a laptop... Go on YouTube and search you would see some guides ..

Alright, thank you.

Besides, adding the thermal paste, ensure you check that the fan isn't clogged with dust. It's an E6420 and my take is that this legacy laptop would have its fan attached to the heatsink...as such, you'd have to take all out because the heatsink covers the processor & its socket and the heat of the processor passes through the heatsink. If the fan is clogged, the heat would go back to the processor if the fan isn't blowing well to pass the heat coming out of the laptop...

You're likely going to open 2 sets of screws (4 screws for the rubbery coolant and diagonal screws 1-2-3 for the processor (you can check YouTube as earlier advised). Don't just apply paste and close the laptop if the fan is clogged. Clean and blow the dust off the fan and the vent of the heatsink else you might get the error HP 15 and 650 models get when they overheat and say, Thermal error (code number), the laptop would have to shut down.

Do have a happy field day and welcome to computer engineering 107, Sir.

FluxEmpire:
Besides, adding the thermal paste, ensure you check that the fan isn't clogged with dust. It's an E6420 and my take is that this legacy laptop would have its fan attached to the heatsink...as such, you'd have to take all out because the heatsink covers the processor & its socket and the heat of the processor passes through the heatsink. If the fan is clogged, the heat would go back to the processor if the fan isn't blowing well to pass the heat coming out of the laptop...

You're likely going to open 2 sets of screws (4 screws for the rubbery coolant and diagonal screws 1-2-3 for the processor (you can check YouTube as earlier advised). Don't just apply paste and close the laptop if the fan is clogged. Clean and blow the dust off the fan and the vent of the heatsink else you might get the error HP 15 and 650 models get when they overheat and say, Thermal error (code number), the laptop would have to shut down.

Do have a happy field day and welcome to computer engineering 107, Sir.

Wow... Thank you sir. I ordered for the thermal paste from Jumia but it's yet to be delivered to me.

Realtalk20:
It's an over heating issue.
The thermal paste on the cou heat sink is probably dried off.

You need to open it up and clear out the dried paste and apply new paste.

My 5 years old laptop is now back to life all thanks to you. I appreciate your help sir.

FluxEmpire:
Besides, adding the thermal paste, ensure you check that the fan isn't clogged with dust. It's an E6420 and my take is that this legacy laptop would have its fan attached to the heatsink...as such, you'd have to take all out because the heatsink covers the processor & its socket and the heat of the processor passes through the heatsink. If the fan is clogged, the heat would go back to the processor if the fan isn't blowing well to pass the heat coming out of the laptop...

You're likely going to open 2 sets of screws (4 screws for the rubbery coolant and diagonal screws 1-2-3 for the processor (you can check YouTube as earlier advised). Don't just apply paste and close the laptop if the fan is clogged. Clean and blow the dust off the fan and the vent of the heatsink else you might get the error HP 15 and 650 models get when they overheat and say, Thermal error (code number), the laptop would have to shut down.

Do have a happy field day and welcome to computer engineering 107, Sir.

Thank you very much sir. I was able to fix it with your help.

Richnero:
My 5 years old laptop is now back to life all thanks to you. I appreciate your help sir.

the computer most really be an old model

It's my pleasure and you're most welcome, Sir

Richnero:
Thank you very much sir. I was able to fix it with your help.