Help! I can't shut off my computer it just keeps restarting.

[imported_Baffled]

Here is the long version any ideas?


Dated Jul 23, 2007 at 09:22 AM composed by you

everything worked well for ten days and then started rebooting on shutdown. The system powers off for about 4 seconds and then reboots. I've reinstalled vista and the same thing happens. I'm using a antec sonotta III case,Asus P5K, E2160, Mushkin EM2-6400 2GB, WD500AAKS and Vista

Dated Jul 23, 2007 at 01:20 PM reply from Ncix Support

Hi Nancie,
Could you please follow the link below to download a free memory testing program.
http://www.memtest.org/#downiso
If you have more that 1 piece of memory, test 1 at a time to determine which one may have a problem.
Please download the latest pre-compiled Bootable ISO (.zip). Once you have downloaded the program unzip it to a directory on your harddrive. You should now see a .iso file. Go into your burning program and select "Burn Image to Disc". Once it is done burning the CD please restart your computer with the CD in the drive and make sure that your first boot device is set to CD/DVD-ROM in the BIOS. It should then automatically start testing your memory. Let the program run for 1 hour and note if there are any errors and write down what test # they were on.
If you find errors at anytime you can hit the "ESC" key to termintate the test. Email me back with the results and I can tell you how to proceed.
Thanks a lot,
Ryan

Dated Jul 24, 2007 at 06:31 AM reply from you
Ryan
Ran memtest86 for am hour each stick. No errors found.
What next?
Thanks Nancie

Dated Jul 24, 2007 at 12:30 PM reply from Ncix Support

Can you go into the bios, leave it there for 15min. and then check to see what the cpu temperature is. Also can you make a note of what all the voltages are?
Thanks,
Ryan

Dated Jul 24, 2007 at 02:41 PM reply from you

CPU 28, MB 40, Vcore 1.288, 3.3 3.232, 5 4.992, 12 12.096
Also ran the motherboard and power supply out of the case and it still rebooted on shutdown.
Nancie

Dated Jul 24, 2007 at 03:06 PM reply from Ncix Support

Do you have access to a different video card to try?
-Ryan

Dated Jul 24, 2007 at 03:11 PM reply from you

No and no power supply
Nancie

Dated Jul 24, 2007 at 04:03 PM reply from Ncix Support

Please go to http://www.mersenne.org/freesoft.htm and download Prime95 and run the blended stress test and see if it crashes the system.
-Ryan

Dated Jul 24, 2007 at 04:22 PM reply from you

I don''t have another power supply to try. On a restart the power light stays on. When I shut down the power light goes for four seconds approximately. This is the same as what happens when restarting from the bios. When I first assembled the computer it worked normal for 10 days and then started restarting on shutdown. I removed the motherboard, power supply and hard drive from the case and the same thing happened. I tried one stick of ram and the same thing. I reinstalled the operating system and no change. I ran memtest86+-1.70 for 1 hour on each stick and no errors. The thing that sticks in my mind is the way the power lights cycle the same as a restart from the bios.

This is copy of that I sent asus. They suggested another power supply but I don''t have one. I''ll go try Prime95
Thanks Nancie

Dated Jul 25, 2007 at 07:03 AM reply from you

Ran Prime95 for 12 hr 51 min 0 errors 0 warnings
What''s next?
Thanks Nancie

Dated Jul 25, 2007 at 01:08 PM reply from Ncix Support

Please do a google search for 3dmark and download the newest version. It will stress your video card and we will see if that causes your computer to reboot.
-Ryan

Dated Jul 25, 2007 at 01:32 PM reply from you

I don't know if we are misunderstanding each other. Nothing is causing the computer to shut down.
When I shut it down after it powers off it stays powered off for four seconds and then restarts by itself.
I talked to Asus tech support and they suggested RMA as the bios maybe corrupt.
I also applied online for RMA.
Nancie

Dated Jul 25, 2007 at 04:24 PM reply from you

Hi Ryan
I talked to antec and they said to try the power supply in my dell 8200. ( Check to make sure the wire colors match up first.)
I did this and the dell shut down normaly. This rules out the power supply. Also I talked to Radius and he had me start with no services, still no change. So I have a new one on the way.
Thanks Larry aka Nancie

 

[daveybrat]

I just had that exact same problem with an MSI intel 945 motherboard. It would power all the way off, then 3-4 seconds later it would turn back on.

2 ways to fix this:

1) Clear your cmos. This worked for me for some odd reason.

2) Make sure in the bios power management settings that all "wake on" settings are set to disabled. That includes 'wake on lan', 'wake on ring', 'wake on modem'....etc.

Those should fix it but if not let us know.

 

[imported_Baffled]

I missed that in my long list. I did clear the cmos and all wake settings are set to disabled.

Thanks

 

[Captante]

Originally posted by: Baffled
I missed that in my long list. I did clear the cmos and all wake settings are set to disabled.

Thanks

First of all let me say that the NCIX tech-support guy who made you go through all the stress-testing is an idiot ... the only useful suggestion he made was to try swapping out the power supply & he didn't even bother with the power management settings in the MB's BIOS which should have been your first stop.

I would say its likely that one of three things is going on ... either Windows isn't sending the shutdown command properly (possible even though the PC appears to actually shut down for a few seconds), an application is hanging during shutdown & XP is being forced to perform an automatic restart or you have a motherboard problem of some kind ... either BIOS related or actual hardware.

Check out this Microsoft support page which specifically covers problems with XP restarting when its supposed to shut down for some useful tips & instructions for disabeling automatic restarts:

Windows XP restarts unexpectedly or restarts when you shut down the computer


Heres another none-MS page that has some very helpful information & a couple patchs that may help:

Troubleshooting Windows XP shutdown & restart problems




If you are unable to correct the problem with this info, next check the Asus website & see if theres an updated BIOS for your board & if there is I'd suggest performing the upgrade which may correct the problem as well.

**(If you are unsure about doing this PM me & I'll help you out, don't just charge ahead because you could render your PC inoperable if you mess up)**


If after trying all of this you are still having the problem, then its likely you have a defective motherboard on your hands & you'll need to RMA, but lets cross that bridge when we come to it!



Edit: Short-term, you should be able to safely force your PC to power down & stay off by pressing the power button during POST when it re-starts & holding it in for about 5 seconds ... this forces the MB to shutdown without involving Windows ... alternatively you can turn off the switch on the power supply if it has one.

 

[Harvey]

I had this problem for several months. The problem disappeared when I updated the VIA drivers for my motherboard's chipset. It may not have been the version but that one of the drivers had become corrupted.

Either way, try checking for updated drivers for your motherboard or re-installing your current drivers.

Good luck.

 

[imported_Baffled]

I got a new motherboard today and so far this has fixed the problem. I have not attached all the previous hardware yet. I'm attaching one thing each restart in case it reappears and keeping a log in case I don't remember what I did last. This is probably my most important lesson. Take things one step at a time and keep a record.

My main reason for posting was to help others and see if I had come to the right conclusion. I searched for this problem and found no answers.

Thanks Larry

 

[Captante]

Originally posted by: Baffled
I got a new motherboard today and so far this has fixed the problem. I have not attached all the previous hardware yet. I'm attaching one thing each restart in case it reappears and keeping a log in case I don't remember what I did last. This is probably my most important lesson. Take things one step at a time and keep a record.

My main reason for posting was to help others and see if I had come to the right conclusion. I searched for this problem and found no answers.

Thanks Larry

Sounds like my third option turned out to be the problem ... defective motherboard.

Glad you were able to get it fixed.

 

[imported_Baffled]

Thanks Captante

Having it solvedis nice! You have to go through the process so you don't end up chasing your tail.

Larry