skip to main content

Trying to Turn Computer Off, but it Reboots

19 years ago

I have a three year old HP Pavilion laptop running Microsoft XP. It has a new hard drive as of last fall. Over the last few months when I try to turn it off it sometimes reboots instead. This doesn't happen all the time. To turn it off, I hit Start, then Turn off Computer, then Turn Off Computer again in the pop up screen. Again, sometimes this action turns off the computer, but sometimes it reboots. Any thoughts? Thanks.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (7)

grady
19 years ago
Pull the plug at the wall outlet. wait 31 seconds . replug.
Who knows, stranger things have happened. If that doesn't cure it go to control panel> power options> power control options and look around. Just guessing. Grady
grandms
19 years ago
How about heat? Have you ever clean out the innards of your computer? In three years' time there could be quite a buildup of dust inside. Take off the side and using a can of compressed air, blow any dust you see off the fans. I also use a soft bristle brush to wipe the blades of the fans. Sometimes overheating can cause all sorts of odd behaviors.
Related Discussions
Computer shuts itself OFF!
Q
Comments (6)
I turned off Hibernate-thank you! I was gone for a couple of hours and my computer came right back up when I touched the mouse. As for sending it back, I really don't want to go through unstalling everything-would have to pay someone to do that-then pack it up and return it, and then have to go looking for a new one because I am not ready to deal with Vista-when I can resolve these issues that I have. Then I would have to pay again-to hook me back up again. DH & I are not computer savvy and I have one of the wireless adapters in my computer which would need tranferring. I have been emailing back & forth with HP Help and they do respond within an hour, it is just some of the things they tell me to do are beyond my understanding! Pat
...See More
Computer shutting off.
Q
Comments (19)
I bought my daughter a Dell Inspiron 1000(Win XP), when she started college. It is now about 3 1/2 years old. For the last several months-it has done this same thing. Usually after several tries-I get it to boot into Windows and I do a system restore-back to a date when it was working properly. It will then boot with no problems for a few weeks-then it will do the same thing again. I have taken it to a couple of different places to have it fixed. The first PC Tech replaced the LCD cable. It didn't fix the problem. The second PC Tech said he couldn't find any thing wrong with the laptop other than some settings-which he changed. The problem is still not fixed. So if anyone out here has any idea what could possibly fix this problem-I would be very grateful. I really hate to keep spending time and money and still have the same old problem-so now the laptop just sits most of the time, and she is using one of my desktops. I have been told that the problem might be the motherboard-but if this were the case-would it work after a system restore? All of my daughter's files are backed up-so should I try to reinstall everything to the way it was originally. Can I do this with the disks that came with the laptop? Thanks
...See More
Paid Professionals Can't Help Me with my Computer, Will you Try?
Q
Comments (33)
Genes, no, I don't use hibernation or sleep or stand by. Let me run this thought through y'all. About the time the computer decided it didn't want to do internet, we had Comcast to come out to check why we got nothing but tiles. While he was here, he took note that we have five TV's and was using several splitters. He unhooked/uninstalled one of the tvs and it got rid of the tiles. Could the splitters have anything to do with this problem? What is such a riddle to me is, why does one computer work on the Ethernet and the other one will not? Hmmmmmm? I've had another AT&T technician back to the house and he found nothing and I took it back to the computer guy and they, again, found nothing. The AT&T guy did suggest hooking up a router and using that. What's the general thought on that idea?
...See More
Need to turn off computer for updates to be installed?
Q
Comments (2)
Ginny, If the Windows Updates are set on automatic, the updates required will be downloaded around 3 am, and the computer will automatically reboot to finish installing the updates. HTH. Terry
...See More
cat_ky
19 years ago
Just a thought here Marita, but are you sure when it restarts, that you dont have restart checked, or are hitting restart, instead of shutdown, when the box comes up?? There are 3 things in that box. Standy, shut down and restart, and if you accidently hit the wrong one, it will just restart. Good Luck :-)Cat
Rudebekia
Original Author
19 years ago
Thanks for your responses. This is still a mystery. Cat, I am firmly hitting the middle--Turn Off--box, not the Restart box. This is what I've always done. It is only over the last few months that the same action occasionally reboots rather than turns off. I did go to the Control Panel and looked through the power options, but nothing seems amiss and no changes have been made. Hmmm. . .
grandms
19 years ago
I recommend that you go to HP's online help site and discuss your problem with a tech help person. You'll need your model number for this. I have gotten help on several problems this way. Free, and no long distance phone call required.
randy_ca
19 years ago
Roxio/Adeptec Easy CD / Direct CD software is well documented as being the major cause of this undesirable shutdown behavior.

More or less anything compromising the operating system during the shutdown process could force this reboot.

Disabling the "restart on system failure" feature may permit the exact cause to be isolated: Right-click on My Computer, click Properties, click the Advanced tab. Under "Startup & Recovery," click Settings. Under "System Failure," uncheck the box in front of "Automatically restart."
Rudebekia
Original Author
19 years ago
Thanks randy--I'll try this.

Related Stories

INDUSTRIAL STYLE Houzz Tour: Wool Store-Turned-Apartment Gets a Glamorous Reboot

An industrial-style penthouse apartment in Brisbane, Australia’s historic Winchcombe Carson building is buffed to a high shine

ECLECTIC HOMES Houzz Tour: Rebooting a 1930s Bungalow in 3 Days

By Mary Jo Bowling

A design team mixes old and new to upgrade a computer science teacher's home in a flash

LIFE Turn Off the Video Games and Turn On Your Kid's Creativity

By Alison Hodgson

Going nuts planning summer activities? Kids overdosing on screen time? It may be time to foster more self-directed play

LIFE Slow Living 101: Tips for Turning Off the Chaos

By Laura Gaskill

It may feel as though you're too busy to slow down and enjoy life. But even little changes can have a big effect

KITCHEN DESIGN Love to Bake? Try These 13 Ideas for a Better Baker's Kitchen

By Charmean Neithart Interiors

Whether you dabble in devil's food cake or are bidding for a bake-off title, these kitchen ideas will boost your baking experience

HOME TECH Coming Soon: Turn Your Kitchen Counter Into a Touch Screen

Discover how touch projection technology might turn your tables and countertops into iPad-like devices — and sooner than you think

HOME TECH Turn Your Smart Phone Into a Home Security System

Monitor your home a less expensive way by putting your phone and some new gadgets to work

CLOSETS How to Turn Your Closet Into an Office

By Becky Harris

15 tips and lots of inspiration for small (but mighty) home offices

STORAGE Storage Surprise: Turn Colorful Tool Cabinets Into Fun Furniture

By Becky Harris

Reimagine your handy chests as nightstands, bar carts and kitchen storage for a bright interior alternative

DECORATING GUIDES How to Turn Almost Any Space Into a Guest Room

By Laura Gaskill

The Hardworking Home: Murphy beds, bunk compartments and more can provide sleeping quarters for visitors in rooms you use every day

Sponsored

More Discussions

PC screen goes black for 2-3 seconds....

5

Tired of MS Office 365 Monthly Fees?

1