XP Shutdown Nightmare

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.help_and_support (More info?)

d2aldridge@ev1.net wrote:
> Our PC is dead. ???? My husband's PC would not auto-shutdown - it
> would automatically restart every time. I used Microsoft article
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/311806/ to try and help me fix the
> problem. It told me to go to the Advanced Settings under Startup and
> Recovery and clear the Automatically Restart box under System Failure.
> I did that and when I attempted shutdown I did get an error message
> referencing a specific .sys file. I wrote it down and then when I
> tried to restart the computer I found I couldn't --no power at all;
> the PC is completely dead.
>
> Two other things that I did before this happened:
> 1. In BIOS, I changed "Soft-shutdown" from Instant to Delay 4 seconds.
> 2. Under Control Panel, Power Options I changed the "When I press the
> Power Button on my computer" option to Ask Me What To Do
>
> I'm assuming the hard drive is still intact, but before I open the
> case, I'd appreciate some feedback and ideas.

Dianne Aldridge wrote:
> Wow, I only clicked on post once - how'd that happen? :-)

It is unlikely Windows XP could cause a power outage.

I would suggest old-style trouble shooting.

Unhook the PC from any live power, open it up and make sure all connections
are solidly together.. Touch (even unplug/plug back in) every power and
cable connection you can (one at a time.)

Put the case cover back on and hook it back into power and turn it back on.
If even the fan on the power supply does not come on and you have made sure
all on/off switches are on and the outlet you are plugged into is "hot" -
then you have dead hardware.

--
Shenan Stanley
MS-MVP
--