Machine refuses to stay powered off...please read.

[moocat]

I'm not sure if this is related to the Win98SE shutdown problem. I can't access the MS site for some reason. Anyway, here is the problem.

If you shut down the computer it stays off for a couple of seconds and then repowers itself. It does the same if you power it down via the power button. I've got all power management disabled in Windows and in BIOS.

I had this system on my bench for weeks. While it was there I ran benchmarks, installed programs, defraged, and frequently powercycled it as part of a normal routine to help insure that it was functioning properly. The only thing that changed from when I had it on my bench to now is that it is now using a USB mouse instead of a serial mouse.

This system is completely stable except for this issue.

The system is:

-Gigabyte 6vx7-4x w/ latest drivers
-cel366@550
-64mb generic pc100 cas3
-tnt2 8mb vanta agp vid card
-sonic impact s100 pci sound
-20gig WD 7200rpm ata66 HD
-Logitec USB mouse
-Aztech USB modem

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

 

[slipperyslope]

Double check the power button connection to the motherboard. I bet you put it on backwards.

Jim

 

[Czar]

Might be the autoupdate feture, a friend of mine had a simmilar problem.

One day when he was in school his computer booted up, connected to the net at dual isdn (2x phone bill) and then updated his drivers and all that was needed, then when it was finished it just stopped, didnt disconnect or anything.

 

[moocat]

Currently the computer isn't connected to the internet in any way.

I will check the power button...that could very well be the problem though it worked fine for almost 2 weeks before this power down issue popped up.

Thanks for the input.

 

[dkozloski]

The outlet you have the machine plugged into may be shared with something that is putting surges or spikes into the line like a pump, a washing machine, a dryer, a stove, a heater, an AC unit, or what have you. All or any of these could jar your power supply to life. A surge protector could eliminate some of this but it may take plugging into a different outlet or a power conditioner to fix it if this is the problem. You might also check the power management setup in your BIOS to make sure that the power interrupt/restore default is set to "system off" rather than "reboot".

 

[BoberFett]

Very strange.

Perhaps related somehow to what dkozloski said, many computers now have a BIOS option to "Power On after Power Loss". This means that after there's a power loss to the PS, either a black out, pulled power cord, or whatever, as soon as it detects power is restored the machine powers back up. Look for this option (if it exists on your mobo) and and disable it.

 

[Gothmoth]

master lee.

my adoration.

 

[Pretender]

Some motherboards have the power on ring or power on KB/mouse options. Make sure those are disabled.

 

[moocat]

I think I have the power up option disabled but I could be mistaken. I can meter the outlet and see what the power does over a 24 hr period.

Thanks for the help.

 

[Danlz]

Pinched Power-on case leads? Check the wiring between the mobo header and the case's power switch for exposed/pinched wires that are shorting and causing the power recycle.

 

[jinsonxu]

moocat, one of the systems i built had this weid problem. Gave me quite a scare when that happened!

It's usually running 24/7 so i didn't bother to correct that. But the first place i would look would be the poweron leads leading onto the MB.

 

[moocat]

Why does it matter which way the power switch plug goes on. Isn't it just 2 wires connected to a normally open switch...pushing the switch momentarily shorts the pins together and the machine turns on..same to turn it off. If you wanted to, you could turn it on and off just by shorting the pins together with a piece of wire or tinfoil.

It seems to be working now...there must be a break in the wire casing somewhere but I couldn't find it.

 

[okydoky]

I had two Eupa brand cases whose power supplies were to blame for my dilemma. The "power good" circuit would reboot the computers at any time, usually when I wasn't home. Thought my son was playing a prank until I actually saw it happen. New supplies fixed my issue. At least I gained two case fans from the failed supplies... Good luck...

 

[Nessism]

I have seen this problem before on an Emachine -shudder, shudder. The problem was the power supply. Good luck.