Computer will not stay on

Dell Dimension 8400
Windows XP Pro SP2

My problem started yesterday when I was trying to set up a laptop to share a printer with the desktop. I never did get it configured correctly so I abandoned the project. I rebooted the desktop and when it loaded the start-up programs it automatically went to log-off and shutdown the computer. Now it happens every time I boot up. I went to msconfig and unchecked all the start-up programs but it still did the same thing. I did a diagnostic start-up and it stayed on but my network connections would not work. It will start-up in safe-mode OK but my diagnostic programs like Norton's Utilities will not work.
System Restore is not an option because I shut that off months ago. I have never got satisfactory results with System Restore.
The only error message I received was from my Intelli-eye mouse driver not loading properly. I replaced the mouse with a ps2 mouse but that did not help.
I can not get it to stay on long enough to see what the problem is.
There is no spy-ware or viruses on it. I keep it squeaky clean. The only other program I've installed lately is Remote Administrator, so I can connect to it from my laptop.

 

What I write here not only applys to the Restore Point in XP but to the RB00X.cab files ( registry backups ) in 98

System restore IS NOT something you can just " Set and Forget. " ( even though MS would like us to think it is ) It does require some USER thinking and attention.

For instance;

If you make changes to the system ( like adding or removing things ) or even making setting changes YOU MUST make sure that new RPs are made once you find all is going to be OK.

It is very simple to do. Just shut down and restart SR. Or go to SR and create a new one. But eventually shut down and restart SP. to get rid of the old useless ( and maybe even dangerous ) ones.

I did at one time have a problem with SR. At the time I had it set up on all partitions ( C: thru H: ) But since I have it on just the C: drive and take care of it I have had no problems with it.

In other words. If you make changes today that you find are going to be OK and wish to be permanent, YESTERDAYS RP is ( or can be ) DANGEROUS.

I made changes ( major ) and made a new RP. Then restored an old one. OUCH !!! Went back and used the newest one an all was Ok again. ( Thank goodness ) SR got shut down and restarted ASAP.

BillyBob

 

The point is that there is no restore point to go back to because it is shut off. Turning it on now would not do anygood. After I get this mess fixed I will go back to using it on "C drive "

I also had everything backed up with Partition Magic 7. I backed it up to my "F" drive and later moved the back-up to an external drive to open up space on the F drive. When I went to restore the back up I got a message saying I could not open it or use it because it no longer had the proper handles...

 

I do realize that SR is of no use right now.

Wait for a more educated opinion but I disagree. If something goes astray during changes you would have a place to start over.

But I wrote what I did because of this.

Again. System Restore Requres USER attention. Because I agree ( know ) that it can be unreliable on it own. I have seen it make RPs yesterday but today it may not. I just checked and I see that Windows HAS NOT made a RP for two days. and I HAVE made changes. I removed some software and added some. A new RP WILL be made ASAP after I get outa here.

I will admit that I am not 100% sure but I would bet that that may be due to changes on the C: drive. Registry especially. Because anything you do is refered to somehow in the registry.

BillyBob

 

I appreciate your comments but right now I can't keep it on long enough to start System Restore. As soon as it loads everything in the systray, it starts shutting down.

 

OOPS !!!

I either missed, paid no atttention or forgot about that part.

Sorry about that.

Now. I DO NOT KNOW for sure but I think SR may have helped here too. If it can be run from the Safe Mode or not I do not know.

If so, then I will be leaning something too.

BillyBob

 

Can you start in Safe mode [ Press F8 while starting up ]?

 

Yes, it will run in safe mode.

 

Press the F8 key immediately after POST and when presented with the Options Menu, look for the one that says "Disable Automatic restart on System Failure." That may allow you to boot Windows and get more information from an error screen to guide you to a fix.

 

If after following surferdude2 ideas and If you still can not get it work , you may want to try , while in Safe Mode , unchecking 1/2 of you start up programs and use a process of elimanation to find out what is causing the problem , be it a driver or whatever...

 

I was in safe mode and unchecked all start-up programs in msconfig. I got the same results. When the systray finished loading it commenced to shut down.

 

OK how about trying this , Safe Mode , Control Panel Administrative Tools , servies, and see what is automaticly starting , BE CAREFULL , and try shuting down programs that you don't need to auto. start {make a writen list of things you change } that may isolate the offending problem..

 

I am watching and learning.

I do have to ask here for my own knowledge if nothing else. JUST in CASE

Would a Restore point have been of any help here ?

Will SR work in the Safe Mode ?

BillyBob

 

BillyBob

Yes ..
The system restore utility can be accessed in safe mode and used to restore any previous restore point. Simply restart XP in safe mode and go to 'start\all programs \ accessories \ system tools \ system restore' then follow the instructions to restore your system to the point of your choice.

 

Thank you purplemtn

BillyBob

 

software or hardware?

When I unplug the cat 5 cable from it and reboot it will stay on. When I try to boot up with the cat 5 cable plugged in it goes through a normal start up and then shuts down. After I get it running and plug the cable in I get a network connection but I can't reboot with it in. I think there is something wrong with the nic card.
What can I check to see if this is the problem?

 

Have you taken the NIC card out of the machine , if it is not built in , and have you tried a different cat 5 cable , if you have 2 PC's try to exchange one with either the card or cable..
Did you uninstall Remote Administrater ?
Does Not appear to be the card.. As it works when you plug it in..
Have you uninstalled all your network conection ,clients , services , protocols and then reinstall them I believe it is a driver problem , [could be wrong ]...

 

OK guys help us out here.

The darn thing is LOOKING for the other machine. when the cable is plugged in. I THINK !!

This bring to mind the possibility that something was either removed incompletely or incorrectly. I myself sure have been that route a time or two

I think a NIC problem may be it. May need to COMPLETELY remove and redo.

BillyBob

 

From Dell;
I can understand your concern and request you to please check the system
setup program and make sure that NIC controller is On w/ PXE.

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim8400/SM/syssetup.htm#wp1052569

If issue still persist then kindly inform me regarding that I will
arrange for the appropriate warranty service for Motherboard.


NIC Controller
You can set the NIC to On (default), Off, or On w/ PXE. When the On w/ PXE setting is active (available only for the future boot process), the computer prompts the user to press <Ctrl><Alt><b>. Pressing this key combination causes a menu to display that allows you to select a method for booting from a network server. If a boot routine is not available from the network server, the computer attempts to boot from the next device in the boot sequence list.


The nic card is built into the motherboard. I changed the cmos setting to On w/PXE, as Dell instucted and got the same results. At this point I have to assume something has gone wrong with the motherboard.

I don't know if formatting and reinstalling windows would fix this problem. Like I said, everything works fine if I boot up with the cable unplugged.

 

I tried disabling the internal nic card, installed another card and got the same results. Shuts down if booted up with cable in.