No desktop.Computer will not shut off.

AT factor.Pentium II.Win 98.Computer starts up OK.As soon as Windows appear I get this message: "IT'S NOW SAFE TO TURN OFF YOUR COMPUTER. ". If I press the power button the computer will restart but will not shut off.And the cycle repeats.Do desktop screen.Nothing.Justthe WINDOWS 98 screen.

Jerry

 

I have seen this before, years ago. I stumbled across this slightly unorthodox method.
Look at the back of the computer for an off switch, when you locate it, have the computer boot up, then shut it off on the back when you see Starting Windows 98. Turn it back on, and let windows go into Safe Mode, it should.
Shut down and reboot.

 

This is an old machine.There is no switch in the back.I removed all the components:front panel wires,hdd,cd-rom,floppy drive,modem,soundcard,video card.Same results.Could it be the power supply?


Jerry

 

Windows 95/98 Boots Directly to "Shut Down" Screen

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=141898

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You could also try pushing and holding the button. Some have a one button wonder that if pushed for a second will cause a restart but if held longer will shutdown power or vis-versa I forget which.

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Guess we need to clarafy if this is how it starts up no matter if the button is used or if upluged/plugged in. In other words is this the only thing you get whenever you start it up? Do you ever achieve a normal bootup?

 

For clarification,I did have a boot up,but as soon as Windows open I get the message saying to shut it off.I just fdisk and formated my HD.Every time the computer is plugged in,it starts even though I do not use the power button.I removed eveything , including the front panel wires,and it still starts up.


Jerry

 

Is it at all possible that this may be a bios setting? I know some have a settings for selecting how you want the computer to respond to a sudden power loss such as what would happen in a rain storm, or if unplugged. It can be set to stay off or bootup.

This is probably electrical as mentioned by Pete but I think the bios setting was worth mentioning just in case this is some freak combination of more than one problem.

 

computer will not shut off

To Pete C and Goddez1,

Those are the best answers I ever received from my post.I will replace the power supply and get back to you.As far as the bios is concerned,I did remove the battery once,but that did not have any result.Thanks.

Jerry

 

I think you have a corrupt registry - I too have seen this before and its like an endless loop. Then the question that begs an answer is how did this happen and whats to say it won't repeat even after a clean install (about the only way to fix it). The last time I ran into this it took a lot of fine tuning in the BIOS, including drive strength, core voltage and memory.

Did you get any registry error screens before this behavior started? Something like windows will automatically restore your registry to a known good configuration.

 

computer will not shut off

I have no OS.Just formatted the HD.Removed all components,including front panel wires,and the computer would start as soon as it is plugged in.

 

So, I guess I missed something.



Edit: OK, reread and see you've FDISKed and Formatted. Then, wiring on panel pins incorrect, bad MC switch, incorrect BIOS settings, bad memory or all of the above. Suggest clearing CMOS and starting with BIOS setup defaults.

Another edit: You said AT, so check the MC switch - but re-connect switch to MoBo pin outs. Since this is an older case, its possible that spring loaded switch is stuck. Take the front cover off so you have direct access to it.