I have a Lenovo IdeaPad S145-15API and a Dell Latitude 3460. I installed a SATA SSD in the Lenovo and moved the Lenovo's original 2.5-inch hard drive into the Dell. I backed up both systems, shut them down completely, disconnected the batteries, and used the Dell's dedicated drive-access panel without touching the motherboard.
The Dell worked normally for seven days after the swap. I restored the data, installed Windows 10, updated the Dell BIOS from the official website, updated the drivers, and installed my usual software. On the eighth day, another family member took the Dell elsewhere. They later reported that it was shutting down repeatedly during use, and it eventually stopped powering on altogether.
The charging LED still comes on, and the battery is new. I also removed the battery and tried running the laptop directly from the charger, but it still would not start. My family believes the drive swap caused the failure, while I suspect something such as overheating, transit damage, a damaged power-button circuit, or an electrical problem at the new location.
Could the drive swap realistically cause random shutdowns and a complete power failure eight days later, or is another hardware or power-related fault more likely?
4 Answers
The Dell Latitude 3460 has a separate access panel for the drive, so the installation would not normally involve the motherboard. Since the charging indicator still works, inspect the power-button board and its connector, as well as the DC-in circuit. A stuck or damaged power switch could explain the symptoms, and it may be a relatively straightforward repair.
Sudden shutdowns can come from overheating or a failing power circuit. Laptops normally shut down before overheating causes permanent damage, but a failed thermal component or power regulator can still lead to a no-power condition. The drive itself does not draw enough power or connect in a way that would normally kill the board after several days of normal operation.
A properly installed drive is very unlikely to damage the motherboard, especially when the laptop ran normally for a full week afterward. The timing makes the swap an unlikely cause, although it is not possible to prove absolute impossibility from the timeline alone. The repeated shutdowns suggest a power, thermal, or hardware fault that should be diagnosed separately.
Try basic hardware troubleshooting: disconnect the battery and peripherals, use only the known-good charger, and check whether any status LEDs or fan activity appear. If possible, test the power-button connection and inspect for damage from transport. Software problems generally do not explain a laptop that shows no startup response at all, so the focus should be on power delivery and the motherboard.
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