desktop wont shut down

garryash

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May 16, 2012
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I changed power settings from "do nothing" to "sleep after 30 minutes" and turn monitor off after 30 minutes. Went to use it an hour later and it was in deep sleep. Couldn't get it to start with mouse or keyboard and when I pressed the power button it just switched off. Started it up and changed the setting to "never" on both and now when I tell it to shutdown it switches monitor off, shuts down the hardrives but keeps the processor fan and cooling fans spinning. To get it to start up again I have to press the start button. Also had a look in UEFI (ASROCK H77M) to see if there was a way of switching the settings off that power usb devices when in sleep mode in case it had hiccupped on that score, and couldn't find a setting to change. To turn the pc off I now have to tell it to shutdown and then wait umtil just the fans (and what else) are still running and turn it off at the wall. Any one any ideas?? I@ve spent a couple of hours on internet and no luck.
 
Solution
By the way, when you can access the BIOS there's always a "Reset to default" option you can select that will do it for you.

Removing the CMOS battery is kind of a last resort thing you do only when you cannot access the BIOS. And yeah, you need to leave it out for more than 10 seconds at least, I always wait 30 seconds just to be sure, and you need to disconnect power from the PC too of course. But then again, it's a good idea to enter BIOS right after and verify that some options changed to default just to make sure it really worked.

But bottom line is: next time simply select "Reset to default" directly in the BIOS, it's a lot simpler and safer. Just for you to know in the future.

MC_K7

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I think this could be two separate problems :

1- Computer not resuming from sleep: Did you try to flash your BIOS to latest version? Then try to reset BIOS to default settings and see if it helps. Also, did you install latest chipset drivers?

2- Computer not shutting down: You didn't say what Windows version you're using but I'll assume it's Windows 7. Did you check your Start Menu options? If you right-click on the Start menu and select "Properties". Then under the "Start Menu" tab make sure that "Power Button Action" is set to "Shut Down". I have a feeling it might be set to "Sleep".

 

garryash

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Thanks MC__K7 Have not messed with Bios nor installed any drivers for days and it has worked 3 times before this happened so far today with no problem. Regarding your second point - yup - I checked that first and tried all possible scenarios in 'control panel'. Also found that if I go into BIOS and then come out, instead of it going straight to the windows logo and start up like it has for last 18 months since I built the system, it now shuts down the hard drives, graphics fan stops as does the CPU fan ( for a few seconds) then theres a light thump as they all start up again and the system boots to windows!! (Tempted to do a system rebuild if all else fails - just the thought of all those updates to do again.
 

MC_K7

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Then this could be a motherboard or PSU problem. I don't know if you got another PSU laying around that you could use to test?

Before reinstalling Windows you might want to try what I suggested in no.1, especially flashing BIOS to latest version and reverting to default settings.

Then if you run out of options and want to do a clean Windows install, make sure you install the latest chipset drivers after. It can only help for sleep/power issues.

 

garryash

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Will try an old 500w unknown cheapy make psu to check it out. (Must remember to disconnect extra 3 HDD/ remove GPU and soundcard so as not to overload the poor thing). Tried updating BIOS (UEFI) but wouldn't connect to internet through UEFI . If psu doesnt solve it then will reset UEFI to default and if thats no go then reset CMOS.
 

MC_K7

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Some BIOS can be flashed directly from Windows, or you can easily create a bootable CD or USB stick that will automatically flash it on reboot. Just download the latest BIOS version from the Asrock website (look in "Support / Drivers" section on their website and select your mobo model). It usually comes with a Readme file and instructions and you will see there are many different methods to flash the BIOS.

 

garryash

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Ta
hanks for reply - flashed bios to 1.60 with flash drive but still same problem. Every time I click on the start button and then the shutdown button it just goes into sleep. Have disconnected graphics and sound cards and 3 extra HDDs. Double checked all settings to make sure that they tell it to shutdown and still it just sleeps unless I physically press and hold down the front panel power button. PSU is 16 months old XFX PRO550W core edition and would hope it was still ok but will take a trip into attic and get old unknown make 500w down to try. Or might get win 7 disc out and trey one of their "repair" options.
 

MC_K7

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Here's what I would do in this order:

1- Reset BIOS to default options. If you can't access the BIOS for some reasons, you can also do that by removing the CMOS battery.

2- Try with the old PSU.

3- If the problem is still there after and you want to reinstall Windows, I wouldn't try a "repair" option. If something is corrupted inside Windows it's not guaranteed to fix it. I would go for a full reformat and then clean install. Just make sure you back up your data before.

 

garryash

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the saga continues !
reset bios - no luck
tried old psu - no luck
reinstalled windows after reformatting hard drive - no luck
when trying to shut down - I click on "shut down" and PC closes down (monitor goes black) and hard drives wind down - but PSU and all fans keep going! Have to press the on/off button on top of case to shut down. If I tell it to shutdown and restart - it does it no problems. Thinking its the 18 month old MOBO but its a lot of dosh to fork out if it is wrong diagnoses.
 

MC_K7

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In this case I would be a little hesitant on what I'd do next. Especially if everything else is working fine with the board maybe you can live with the problem. Or I don't know if the mobo is still under warranty after 18 months? You could first try to contact Asrock support even if it's not on warranty they might advise on what else you could try. Or maybe create a new thread on Asrock forum, it could be a known issue with this specific board, maybe you'll find something interesting.

 
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It could be the power management settings in the bios. There is no thing else to look after. The operating system takes it from there and loads the power settings according to your Bios settings, unless you change them later. Since you have reset and flashed the Bios, and there is still no light, then I would point to a faulty motherboard.
 
Couldn't tell if you tried these exact settings, but under Control Panel > Power Options > 'Choose what the power buttons do' (or System Settings depending on Control Panel layout) What do these options list? Might change both sleep and power to Shut Down.

If you tried this already sorry! Didn't see this mentioned exactly so thought I would try.
 

garryash

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Many thanks for all your answers. I have tried them all without success. Have sent a message to Asrock and awaiting a reply ????? HAve also reinstalled windows yet again and still not right. I remember an XP desktop I had a few years ago had the same problem - infact its still sat under my desk as a back up to download stuff when the win 7 goes wrong - but the Xp sorted itself out on its own about a year later and works fine now! Might see how annoying it is and live with it. I always turn power off when I finish with it and the end of the day or if I go out so its not too much of an issue - just annoying.
 

garryash

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Would you believe it ??
Did another CMOS reset - this time left it shorted out for 15 seconds instead of 7-8 seconds - started up and shut down 3 times no problems!
Many thanks to one and all.
One good thing came out of it thought. When I reloaded all of my software I put what I could on my extra drives to keep the "C" drive as clear as possible and it now starts up quicker.
 

MC_K7

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By the way, when you can access the BIOS there's always a "Reset to default" option you can select that will do it for you.

Removing the CMOS battery is kind of a last resort thing you do only when you cannot access the BIOS. And yeah, you need to leave it out for more than 10 seconds at least, I always wait 30 seconds just to be sure, and you need to disconnect power from the PC too of course. But then again, it's a good idea to enter BIOS right after and verify that some options changed to default just to make sure it really worked.

But bottom line is: next time simply select "Reset to default" directly in the BIOS, it's a lot simpler and safer. Just for you to know in the future.

 
Solution