Computer randomly won't power down after shut down

Darklighter

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Mar 13, 2005
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Greetings...

Preliminary:
A short while ago I built my friend a new computer system. This system is VERY close to my own in hardware and software. I have been working with computers for more than 20 years, and I have a small hobby-business of building/working on PCs and related software. The problem I am having with his system started about the time that I built the system, and has lasted through various hardware/software changes.

The Problem
After using his computer for awhile, when he goes to Shut Down (to turn it off), it will sometimes shut the "system" off (HDDs/OS?) but will remain powered on. This happens randomly without any sort of pattern I have been able to discern so far. I have Googled the heck out this issue, but it doesn't seem to be a well-known phenomanon.

The Current System
ASUS M2N32-SLI Deluxe Wi-Fi MoBo
Athlon64 X2 6000+ CPU
Corsair XMS2 2GB PC6400 DDR2 (2x1GB) Dual Channel RAM Kit
2 x eVGA 8800GT 512MB Graphics cards in SLI (latest non-BETA Drivers)
Soundblaster X-Fi Xtreme Music PCI Card
LG GSA-H55N SATA DVD Super Multi Burner
LG GSA-4163B IDE DVD Super Multi Burner
3.5" Floppy Drive
WD 250GB SATA2 HDD (Primary, with WindowsXP Home SP2) *Dual Boot*
WD 250GB SATA2 HDD (Secondary, with WindowsXP Pro SP2)*Dual Boot*
PC Power&Cooling Silencer750 750W Quad-SLI ATX 2.0 PSU
Silverstone TJ-07 Tower Case with LOTS of air cooling
All latest drivers and DirectX
AVG Anti-Virus
Logitech G15 Gaming Keyboard (USB)
Logitech MX1000 Wireless Mouse (PS/2)
Wireless = DISABLED, Internet/Network via onboard GigaLAN

What I Have Tried
> Current Video Cards replacing OCZ 8800GTX 768MB
> Replaced second SATA DVD Burner with IDE Burner
> Current PSU replacing Enermax Liberty 620W PSU
> Reformatted and Reinstalled Windows on both drives
> Removed X-Fi, tried onboard sound and NO sound at all
> Disabled Firewire
> Reinstalled several drivers
> Disabled nVidia Driver Helper Service
> Changed LAN Ports
> Changed LAN Cables/Router/Connection
> Both HDDs are new & Replacements
> Shutting Down Hot & Cold (happens under both circumstances)
> Nothing in Error Logs
> Used Tweak Manager to enable "Power Down After Shutdown" Reg Entry
> Checked all Power Management settings in BIOS and Windows
> Have tried a number fo other "little things"

What I Have NOT Tried
> Using another Keyboard & Mouse (Trying that next)
> Replacing MoBo, RAM and/or CPU (Can't really dot his unless I know that's the problem)
> Replacing PSU (This is the second one we tried, I can't believe we'd have that bad of luck
> Reinstalling bare Windows again, then see if it happens with just the OS and no other software (I'm sure it happened on my last reinstall though).
> Adding Ethernet card (no available slot without pulling X-Fi)
> Updating BIOS (There's only one newer and it says it's only for CPU support)


I'm not sure what else I can do... I'm leaning towards this being a hardware issue, but I just can't tell him to start replacing key parts without at least an idea of what's wrong. Keep in mind, other than the video cards (I have a 8800 Ultra), SATA Burner (mine are both IDE), PSU (mine is a Silverstone 850w) and wireless mouse (I have a Logitech G5), we have virtually the same systems... I have the same XP Pro install on my main HDD that he has on his Secondary HDD (the one I am using to troubleshoot). Other than the AV and his use of iTunes we have nearly identical software as well... and I have NO issues.

He is a friend, but I am not about to start pulling my system apart to provide "test" parts for his MoBo, CPU and RAM... I need some more direction as to the problem. If anyone could offer some concrete advice/assistance I'd truly appreciate it.

Thanks!



 

Old Hippie

Diamond Member
Oct 8, 2005
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High Ya Darklighter!

I got good news and bad news. The good news is, that's one of the best best formed, easy-to-read, greatest troubleshooting posts I've ever seen! :thumbsup:

The bad news is, as usual, I have no idea what the problem is. :thumbsdown:



BUT, let's start here.....
This happens randomly without any sort of pattern I have been able to discern so far.
Have you had the machine in your eyesite long enough to observe this unusual behavior? I suppose "Safe" mode is outta the question?
 

Narse

Moderator<br>Computer Help
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Mar 14, 2000
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The Problem
After using his computer for awhile, when he goes to Shut Down (to turn it off), it will sometimes shut the "system" off (HDDs/OS?) but will remain powered on. This happens randomly without any sort of pattern I have been able to discern so far. I have Googled the heck out this issue, but it doesn't seem to be a well-known phenomanon.

I have seen some motherboards cause this. Nothing else is wrong just sometimes the do not completly power down.
 

Darklighter

Member
Mar 13, 2005
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Thanks for the replies!

I've had it on and off for a while now... however, my buddy keeps me regularly updated via text message :: rolls eyes :: it's now on my workbench until it's fixed.

I am leaning towards the MoBo myself, but that would mean it was more-or-less bad out of the box... which would be the third ASUS board (in his life, not this particular round) he's had do that. I really want to eliminate everything else before I send him to buy a new one.

I am hoping I've overlooked something that someone else hasn't ;-)

PS: Update, I've flashed to the latest BIOS without effect.
 

jackschmittusa

Diamond Member
Apr 16, 2003
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Try booting from a Linux live cd (or install it) and see if the problem remains. If it does, that would point to hardware.
 

Darklighter

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Mar 13, 2005
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Pm Settings:

"Always On"

HDD + Monitor = shutdown after 5hours

System Standby = Never

Hibernate = Off

No UPS

As for Linux, I have 0 experience, and I don't really want to start now... thanks anyway.
 

Darklighter

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Mar 13, 2005
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WiFi is always disabled... without ripping the adapter off the MoBo I can't shut it off any more.

PM in BIOS = Everything disabled, Soft Off = Instant off/Shutdown (sorry, can't remember exact wording). APM set to "S1/S3" (I can have either or both only).
 

jackschmittusa

Diamond Member
Apr 16, 2003
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You can try going into device manager and turning off all of the entries that "allow Windows to turn this device off".

Switch the power management setting in the bios to "S1".

Last thing to try is to set it to APM and keep Windows from managing power and letting the bios do it.
 

Darklighter

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Mar 13, 2005
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Thanks for the help...

I am curious then, since I have the same Mobo, RAM, CPU, Sound, graphics and Windows install... and the APM settings for my system are the same, why am I not having the problem?
 

Darklighter

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Mar 13, 2005
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His (Mine if different)
ASUS M2N32-SLI Deluxe
2GB Corsair PC6400 4-4-4-12
Athlon64 X2 6000+ CPU
OCZ 8800GTX 768MB (eVGA 8800 Ultra)
SB X-Fi Xtreme Music
PC P&C 750 Silencer PSU (Silverstone 850W Decathalon PSU)
WD SATAII HDD
LG DVD Super-Multi
Silverstone TJ-07 Case
Windows XP SP2
(I did both installs)

Basically, he waited for me to upgrade, then bought almost the same stuff.
 

robisbell

Banned
Oct 27, 2007
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okay, the exact model of ram that he is using.
almost the same is not the same. also, exact model of cpu, and bios revision of his.
 

Darklighter

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Mar 13, 2005
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Sorry I wasn't more specific...

Yes, our RAM kits are the same: Corsair TWIN2X2048-6400C4

We both are using the latest BIOS: 1701

We are both using the Athlon64 X2 6000+ (Retail):
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articl.../athlon64-x2-6000.html
(There is only one model that I can see)

I wasn't being flip when I said we had the same base system... I know how model versions can vary and change the hardware parameters. Last night I changed some power managements settings and disabled the USB. I now just have a standard MS PS/2 mouse and keyboard hooked up. About 6-7 successful shutdowns last night, so we'll see how it goes this weekend. If it hangs again, I guess I'll be gutting the beast.
 

Darklighter

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Mar 13, 2005
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UPDATE: Changing APM to S1, changing KB and Mouse to other PS/2 and disabling USB controller all still result in shutdown problem.
 

Darklighter

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Mar 13, 2005
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UPDATE: New PSU didn't fix it... going to assume it's the Mobo. Going to do a stripped down out-of-the-box test this weekend as a final test though.
 

Darklighter

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Mar 13, 2005
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Update: After extensive testing, I have decided that the problem likely lies in a bad USB controller on the MoBo... it's been RMAed.