Windows restarts instead of shutdown.

[btcomm1]

Ok was shutting down fine, there was another issue. I started windows xp media center edition install but then stopped it because I did not to do it anymore. Now when I boot into windows and then go to turn off computer, it will shut windows down and then restart the computer instead of staying off.

I figure some miles go messed up or maybe a registry key, is there a way to restore the files that allow the computer to shut down properly?

I tried updating the bios, I tried the registry key that says powerdownonshutdown to 1, which did not help.

Is there anything else I can do without having to reinstall windows.

 

[JustaGeek]

Do the Repair Install, instead of install - you will have to update the Windows, but will not loose any applications or files.

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

 

[dclive]

Originally posted by: btcomm1
Ok was shutting down fine, there was another issue. I started windows xp media center edition install but then stopped it because I did not to do it anymore. Now when I boot into windows and then go to turn off computer, it will shut windows down and then restart the computer instead of staying off.

I figure some miles go messed up or maybe a registry key, is there a way to restore the files that allow the computer to shut down properly?

I tried updating the bios, I tried the registry key that says powerdownonshutdown to 1, which did not help.

Is there anything else I can do without having to reinstall windows.

Can you shut down successfully in safe mode?

 

[btcomm1]

No actually I cannot shut down and stay off in safe mode and I found out that even if I shut the machine off when the bios screen is on, the thing will start back up in about 5 seconds so I figure at this point it's not a windows issue.

Can a power supply cause this?

This is a dimension 8400, can I replace the power supply with a standard one or is it wired differentely? I think it's probrably stock but I don't want to hook a stock psu up to it and have it fry the motherboard.

I looked at one site that sells power supply adapters for dell and they don't claim the 8400 needs an adapter but I don't know if they haven't updated their site in a while either. I'm thinking it wouldn't need their adapter but I hope that it wouldn't need another type of adapter.

 

[JustaGeek]

Try disabling "Boot from LAN" or any type of "Waking" (?!?) in BIOS then.

 

[btcomm1]

Everything under power management is disabled.

 

[JustaGeek]

I believe that it is still somehow related to the interrupted Windows installation. In OEM machines, the OS is more dependent on BIOS and vice-versa.

What was the problem that prompted you to start the installation, and then, why did you interrupt it...?

Did you only try to update the BIOS, or did it go through...?

Go to BIOS, "Load Setup Defaults", "Exit and Save", and see what happens.

 

[dclive]

Originally posted by: JustaGeek
In OEM machines, the OS is more dependent on BIOS and vice-versa.

How so?

 

[btcomm1]

I was able to update the bios, it updated sucesfully and when I reloaded defaults and tried to boot up, it confirmed the settings had changed because it told me floppy had failed, there is no floppy installed and again the same issue is happening.

Are you trying to suggest that while loading windows somehow that loaded a file onto the bios that tells it to keep powering on? I'm pretty sure on dells if you push the power button while the bios is loading it should turn off and stay off.

Maybe this issue is crazier then I could imagine.

 

[JustaGeek]

Originally posted by: dclive

Originally posted by: JustaGeek
In OEM machines, the OS is more dependent on BIOS and vice-versa.

How so?

There is no detailed settings for anything, and the BIOS updates can only be performed in Windows.

Never failed in my HP/Compaq machines, but I would always disable the Security software, and "End" all the processes except for explorer.exe and taskmgr.exe.

Also, some software will not run if it does not detect the OEM, namely HP BIOS, if it was installed as an OEM software, e.g. burning software, other routine updates, etc.


OP,

Try to do a Repair Install of your failed original XP Media Center installation.

If that doesn't work, it must be a hardware related issue, or a failed BIOS flash.

Try to flash the BIOS again if the system is stable, but disable the Anti Virus software/processes as I mentioned above.

 

[dclive]

Originally posted by: JustaGeek

Originally posted by: dclive

Originally posted by: JustaGeek
In OEM machines, the OS is more dependent on BIOS and vice-versa.

How so?

There is no detailed settings for anything, and the BIOS updates can only be performed in Windows.

Never failed in my HP/Compaq machines, but I would always disable the Security software, and "End" all the processes except for explorer.exe and taskmgr.exe.

Also, some software will not run if it does not detect the OEM, namely HP BIOS, if it was installed as an OEM software, e.g. burning software, other routine updates, etc.


OP,

Try to do a Repair Install of your failed original XP Media Center installation.

If that doesn't work, it must be a hardware related issue, or a failed BIOS flash.

I was asking about 'in OEM machines the OS being more dependent on the BIOS', which I don't understand.

Windows is Windows. Dell (for example) doesn't have a specific version of Windows - if it's Windows, it will install on a non-Dell. That's not to say they don't create customized "restore CDs" that are essentially Ghosted images (I'm not talking about those), but if it's an XP CD (ie boots to a blue screen, formats the drive, has an i386 directory in the root, etc.) it's just plain old Windows XP.

I don't understand if you're saying that or if you're trying to say something else. Burning software isn't an OEM/BIOS issue, so what are you talking about?

 

[JustaGeek]

dclive,

I know that you love to question my statements, but I am not in the mood to troll another thread.

Sorry!

 

[johnos]

not sure if this will help in the slightest but in the past i had a similar problem with one of our computers (its sort of an everyone uses computer, its in a real mess, i avoid it like the plague). You would shut it down and within about 10 seconds it would start up again. Basically, you had to wait till it shut down, pull out the power, wait a few seconds then put it back in and it would stay shut down.
Later on I fried the motherboard installing an eSATA card and when the motherboard, cpu and ram got replaced we never had the problem again. So it wasn't the powersuply, I imagine it was something in the BIOS but i never tried to hard to fix it so can't tell you for sure. Dunno if this helps but just make sure you go through your BIOS, maybe ring dell (it's a dell yes?) and ask them, they have probably had the problem before, as i have heard of it happening a couple of times

 

[btcomm1]

I found out what was causing it.

Basically, finally someone from Dell suggested something that worked, not until after he/she suggested a reinstall of windows.

The computer was unplugged, took the battery out, pushed the power button, put the battery back in and it stopped turning on by it'self.

Definitely not a windows issue.

dclive, windows is windows but there is a slightly diff version for dell because if you take a retail copy of windows xp and install on a dell it will ask for a cd key and you will have to active it, if you use a Dell copy of windows xp on a dell computer, you do not enter a cd key and it's automatically activated.