My computer has started shutting down on it's own. I have had this happen before, and it was the power source. The reason I am asking now is because this time it only happens at night while we are asleep, or while we are gone. It has not, even once, shut down while someone is using it. Before, when the power source went bad, it would cut off in the middle of using it. I have run virus scans and came back with nothing. I'm guessing that I'm getting some type of message that the computer will automatically shut down unless I click cancel or some message similar to that. Since we are always asleep or gone, I can not verify that, and only a guess on my part.
Sincerely, Baffled in Virginia
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09:46 PM
PFF
System Bot
MidEngineManiac Member
Posts: 29566 From: Some unacceptable view Registered: Feb 2007
Check the system event viewer. It should tell you when it's restarting and if there's an error when it restarts. If it's rebooting at the same time each night, it's probably automatic updates.
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10:01 PM
jimbolaya Member
Posts: 10652 From: Virginia Beach, Virginia Registered: Feb 2007
Check the system event viewer. It should tell you when it's restarting and if there's an error when it restarts. If it's rebooting at the same time each night, it's probably automatic updates.
Well by "reboot" do you mean it restarts? If so, then no. It's always off when we get up, never on. It's happening every night, and sometimes during the day. That's why I was thinking some type of update. Where do I find the "system event viewer"
Computer doofus. >>>>>>>> Jim
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10:09 PM
Jun 5th, 2011
Cliff Pennock Administrator
Posts: 11609 From: Zandvoort, The Netherlands Registered: Jan 99
XP Sorry for the belated reply, but I went to bed, and now headed to work.
Yes, it took you 11 minutes to reply, you slacker!
Maybe XP is trying to hibernate and that fails. See if Hibernation is switched on:
Click Start, click Run, type powercfg.cpl, and then click OK.
In the Power Options Properties dialog box, click the Hibernate tab. Note: If the Hibernate tab is not displayed, your computer does not support hibernation.
Click to deselect the Enable hibernation check box, and then click Apply.
My computer has started shutting down on it's own. I have had this happen before, and it was the power source. The reason I am asking now is because this time it only happens at night while we are asleep, or while we are gone. It has not, even once, shut down while someone is using it. Before, when the power source went bad, it would cut off in the middle of using it. I have run virus scans and came back with nothing. I'm guessing that I'm getting some type of message that the computer will automatically shut down unless I click cancel or some message similar to that. Since we are always asleep or gone, I can not verify that, and only a guess on my part.
Sincerely, Baffled in Virginia
Does windows report that the computer was not shut down properly? If its just shutting off then windows should be complaining and that would point at hardware.
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07:50 AM
Cliff Pennock Administrator
Posts: 11609 From: Zandvoort, The Netherlands Registered: Jan 99
Look under the program schedualed tasks (someone correct me if Im wrong about that).Allso I did once download a dos browser (in case my computer crashed) an added virus,that would turn on the computer at any hour of the day.The antivirus scanner didnt catch it.Try going into the Biose,sorrey I can't remember what setting its under,look there.
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02:24 PM
Cliff Pennock Administrator
Posts: 11609 From: Zandvoort, The Netherlands Registered: Jan 99
During the boot process it should come up to a black screen and apologize for the inconvenience and ask if you want to start in safe mode.
Ah yes, I now realize which screen you mean (with the countdown timer). I have that screen disabled on all my XP machines. I also know that even when it's enabled it doesn't always present you with that screen after a "bad" shutdown.
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03:40 PM
Blacktree Member
Posts: 20770 From: Central Florida Registered: Dec 2001
Next time you find the computer shut off, take a look at the power LED. If it's slowly blinking, it means the computer is in "sleep mode". Windows, by default, will put the computer in sleep mode after a certain amount of downtime. If you'd rather not have it "go to sleep", you can change that in the Control Panel.
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03:48 PM
jimbolaya Member
Posts: 10652 From: Virginia Beach, Virginia Registered: Feb 2007
Next time you find the computer shut off, take a look at the power LED. If it's slowly blinking, it means the computer is in "sleep mode". Windows, by default, will put the computer in sleep mode after a certain amount of downtime. If you'd rather not have it "go to sleep", you can change that in the Control Panel.
It is not asleep. As deficient as I am at computers, I do know it is not asleep. It is powered off. (EDIT: I'm reading my reply again and it sounds kinda put off. It's not, I appreciate the thought. I'm just letting you know I am 100% sure it is not asleep)
quote
Originally posted by the Boss:
Yes, it took you 11 minutes to reply, you slacker!
Duh, I assumed you had posted the night before. It's amazing how we live in our own time zone, even though we know people are from other areas of the globe.
I'll get to other replies later when I get a chance. Just got home from work, and I have to head to the hospital to visit my Mother in Law. She's having congestive heart failure, and was admitted last night.
Jim
[This message has been edited by jimbolaya (edited 06-05-2011).]
check the cooling fan on your PSU.. Sometimes they can wear out, and the spindle spins inside the blade, and the blades dont spin quickly, or at all.. Which can cause your PSU to over heat, and it would shut the system down to protect itself. Also there is no reason or real benifit from leaving your computer on all the time, or over night when its not being used.. Unless your downloading stuff or doing something that takes a long time.. Shut your system down at night. Computers need their sleep too.
[This message has been edited by Jonesy (edited 06-05-2011).]
Check power options in control panel. Check all tabs.
Disable Hibernation. Says disable? enable, apply, disable and another apply.
If hibernation is checked and your tight in free HD space then hibernate can fail.
And Try changing power scheme... Try changing Screen Savers to.
Check Tuneup type program (aftermarket Disk Defrag etc) and anti virus software. Maybe you has software to do scan etc and shut down when it's finished.
Check Startup in Start/Programs
Once that all check
Can use msconfig (start, run, type in msconfig, hit enter) Leave all tabs alone but Startup. You can dis/enable most thing in Startup tab w/o trouble. (Your mouse and keyboard likely have software in that tab.)
------------------ Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should. (Jurassic Park)
Originally posted by jimbolaya: It is not asleep. As deficient as I am at computers, I do know it is not asleep. It is powered off. (EDIT: I'm reading my reply again and it sounds kinda put off. It's not, I appreciate the thought. I'm just letting you know I am 100% sure it is not asleep)
Sorry--I thought you'd want it off--just a habit I have--turning things off when I'm done. BTW, your milk is out of date, and get the whole milk next time--that 2% stuff is mostly water. You're gettin low on laundry detergent too. I cleaned the lint screen in the dryer, but I'm missing a gray sock. If ya find it--just leave it by your keyboard.
The reason I am asking now is because this time it only happens at night while we are asleep, or while we are gone. It has not, even once, shut down while someone is using it.
Heat or Mobo problem most likely happen when CPU loaded and/or happen when owner is there to use or not. Most time when he there since CPU load goes up with use.
Could be AC power + Dieing/weak PSU... dead or weak cap in PSU itself can't keep up if AC power take a hiccup. AC can shut off or "Brown out" a few cycles. When PSU has good caps then that isn't a problem.
I have seen is happen before.... When local utility did some switching, two my old PSU would shut off. Usually happen a night. 1 of mine would crash at 11:00 Am because power co was switch on/off some equipment at their end. Other and more recently PSU was shutting off if AC blink while sleeping... Then died 2 week ago... has a Seasonic PSU now and no AC hiccup can't cause it to shut off since. (Good PSU cost more....)
But check my post above since it's free....
------------------ Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should. (Jurassic Park)
