Shutdown but automatically reboots Vista Bugs and Problems Discuss Shutdown but automatically reboots in the Windows Vista forums; Hi there, I recently opted to install Vista on my home machine. Rather than upgrade I purchased a new Western Digital raptor drive and did a clean install. When I ...

[MELONHEAD74]

Hi there,

I recently opted to install Vista on my home machine. Rather than upgrade I purchased a new Western Digital raptor drive and did a clean install. When I press the shutdown option (not sleep) it goes through the motions of shutting down the pc. The screens go black and you can hear the fans and hard disk spinning down then instead of cutting the power it suddenly reboots.

It doesn't go to safe more or anything. This happens if I use the power button on the front of the pc too. The only way I can kill it is if I pull the power cable when I hear the fans spinning down.

I'm using a ASUS P5G2D m/board with the latest bios available on the site, with an Intel 3.4 ghz cpu (socket 775).

I put my old hdd back in the machine (with XP) and it shuts down no problem.

Can you offer any advice?

[felix8406]

I suspect a driver issue, but can't tell you exactly which one. Start by unplugging every USB device, one at a time so you'll know which one fixes the issue, if it fixes the issue that is. If that doesn't fix it, either remove a card from your PC or go to device manager and try uninstalling a piece of hardware, again, on at a time.

[MELONHEAD74]

Originally Posted by felix8406

I suspect a driver issue, but can't tell you exactly which one. Start by unplugging every USB device, one at a time so you'll know which one fixes the issue, if it fixes the issue that is. If that doesn't fix it, either remove a card from your PC or go to device manager and try uninstalling a piece of hardware, again, on at a time.

Hi Felix, thanks for the quick response.

The only USB device attached at the moment is my Netgear Wireless device. I have unplugged it with the same result.

The only card is my ATI graphics card and I have installed the latest vista driver for that too.

The sound card is on-board but I have tried disabling it in the device manager and shutting down... same result.

Other than that I have a PS2 mouse and keyboard.

[felix8406]

There are two other things you could try. First one won’t probably work, but it's worth a try; boot from your Vista DVD and try to do a startup repair. Find instructions here: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tuto...torial148.html.

Another option would be to reinstall Vista through within Windows and selecting an upgrade. This will not delete any of your installed applications, but might repair the issue. Just start Windows, insert the DVD and select upgrade installation when prompted. Make sure you select the same product key and Vista Version you selected during the first time you installed Vista.

One more thing, if possible, leave the PC connected to the Internet throughout the installation process, this can save you a lot of work at the end.

[Snuffy]

Several DVD burner programs when installed in Beta test of Vista caused the same problems.. several devices that were NON compliant also caused this problem.
you might run Vista Upgrade Advisor on this installation and see what programs and/or devices it tells you might have [problems or will have problems. you can then removed the device or uninstall the program.

[MELONHEAD74]

thank you both for the responses. I will try running the upgrade advisor first and let you know the results. I haven't installed any burner software yet but I do have an LG DVD burner installed. I did try unplugging it but it didn't help the problem. If that fails I will try to do the startup repair, followed by the Vista reinstall/upgrade. Thank you again and I will post the outcome in a day or two.

Can you start Vista in safe mode - the same way you can in XP? If so, I think I will try shutting down from safe mode and see what happens.

I've read somewhere that windows reboots on error. Is there a way of seeing a report for this, or finding out what the error is?

[crabby]

Have you tried shutting down from the command prompt? This will show whether it is hardware or vista related.

If you don't know how to do this post back.

crabby

[MELONHEAD74]

Hey crabby, no - I don't know how to do that. I mean I know what the command prompt is and how to get to it, but don't know what to type.

[Snuffy]

Start --> cmd -->

shutdown.exe -s -t 00

-s = shutddown -t 00 is time to wait 00 is NONE so shutdown now.

[MELONHEAD74]

ok - I didn't have time for much playing around this evening but I did download and install the upgrade advisor. It suggested I use Vista Ultimate, but I have Business. I kinda figured it would say that though

Other than than it detected no problems on the hardware or software side. Listed all the stuff without issue.

I tried the shutdown command from the prompt with the same results... i.e. it rebooted, but when I shutdown from safe mode it turned off and powered down.

I also noticed an option in the boot options to 'disable reboot on system crash'. I selected that option and it started up fine. When I shutdown it got to the usual bit of the blank screens and slowing fans when I got a BSOD. None of the normal text stuff... just literally a plain blue screen and it stayed powered up. Pulled the power cord, and pluged it back in and it started no prob.

Based on all this I tend to agree with the first assumption from Felix - it points to hardware. Now to try find the problem!

Thanks for your help everyone.