System shuts down after first 15 minutes

Giving up

HD tests OK

Have the latest bios

I'll just give up on it and get a new computer and maybe some brainstorm will give me the answer.


Thanks for all your help

 

Hi. bananaball.

That problem doesn't sound like heat or any hardware problem I've ran across. You could have a problem with the relays in the power supply but I don't really think so. It reeks of a timed shutdown by software but strange that it doesn't do it on a reboot. Could be time or date specific.

You might look for a worm, etc.

You might create a new user and boot up and log on as the new user. It should reduce the things running. See if that makes a difference. If so there's something running in the background causing the problem. Also, I would run MSCONFIG in the start\run and click on "startup" and check what's automatically running. Might be something there. The Windows Task Manager in "Processes" mode can give you an idea also.

A lot of download managers can be set to automatically shut the computer down after finishing a download. If one is loading in the background and nothing is being downloaded it could be timing out after 15 mins and shutting you down. Something like that. Still, strange it doesn't do it on a restart.

You might try and match what is running before a shutdown and what is running after a restart when it doesn't shutdown. You can get programs that will give you a lot more information than the msconfig. Hi-Jack is one. Running it both times and comparing the output might give you the answer.

Check the power options in the control panel. They may be set to shut you down after so long. They might be set on some of the laptop battery settings, etc. If one of the settings is for 15 minutes, change it to 5 or 10 minutes and see if the shutdown time changes. Change the settings to "never" shut down and try that.

The yellow on your power switch could mean the system is in hibernation. The next time it shuts down and you boot up, watch the screen and see if it comes back up from hibernation rather than a normal boot. The yellow could just be letting you know the power supply has power and the system is ready to be turned on. Gateway could probably answer the yellow question.

If I was going to blame any hardware item it would be the power supply. Running one for 5 years is a long time for those capacitors. The power supply could easily be it.

That's an interesting problem. Please do remember to post the solution here if you find one. Inquiring minds want to know.

Giles

 

I've been following this thread with some interest because its a little bit of an abnormal challenge. And, while I don't have a flat out answer to curing what ails your system, there are a couple of points that are worthy of focusing upon. First, you have not answered rsinfo's inquiry re: SMPS. Understandably, this isn't something one would be expected to be familiar with but it translates to Switching Mode Power Supply and you should do some reading on this - google it and don't be afraid to experiment with the power settings in your BIOS. Secondly, and its speculative, but because you can run without problem after a cold boot, I would question whether or not you have a capacitor problem. Now, to confuse this, you say you can run without a problem by unplugging the main power cord and then reconnecting it and booting - however, you haven't mentioned what happens after an extended power off period (no PC activity for a few hours) if you first disconnect your power cord and then reconnect it and then boot up - I'm curious if you still get the 15 minute crash syndrome or not. Lets hold off re: tossing in the towel at this point in time. Give us a few more answers when you get a chance and you might be surprised with what it leads to - I've got an idea but need your help to further formulate my thinking. There are several great minds and talented individuals following your dilemma and your feedback may help flush out a fix. The ball is in your court.

 

Restart has to be done quickly

Haven't done an accurate measurement but it appears that if the unplug-replug-restart is not done within a few (5? 10? 15?) minutes, then the unit will do the shut off after 15 minutes.
Ran a comparison of logs from hijack-this from the two startups and the only difference was wuauclt (windows auto update) was missing on the second startup.
I'm guessing that it is a critical temperature point in the psu that when reached causes the malfunction and if restarted soon enough it stays above that temperature so no failure occurs.
I might get a new psu or maybe continue to live with the aggravation.
If my assumption is correct, then fiddling with bios settings won't help.

 

You haven't mentioned what happens after an extended power off period (no PC activity for a few hours) if you first disconnect your power cord and then reconnect it and then boot up.



Edit:

Very doubtful, but you're certainly entitled to your opinion. Its an odd problem indeed. My first blush would be a capacitor issue but because you can run without problem after a cold boot, I would question whether or not you have a capacitor problem and thats why I asked what I asked above.

 

Hi Bananaball.

There is a trojan designated as "Backdoor.clt" and "W32.cult" which writes itself to the Windows directory as wuauclt.exe.

Check these two urls:

Backdoor.clt

Thread

Read the thread thoroughly. The trojan tags itself as "Microsoft auto update = WUAUCLT.EXE" in the registry.

CAUTION!!! There is a valid wuauclt.exe installed by Microsoft. Do not just delete the file or the entries in the registry until you find out if it is the trojan or the windows file.

You might backup the registry and delete the entry from the registry and reboot. See if it shuts down. Both urls tell how to remove it from the registry. If that doesn't solve it, restore the registry. Also, be sure you move the mouse or hit a key every now and then during the shutdown time. This will eliminate any normal timed power shutdown set in the control panel or bios. This may be the easiest way to find out.

My normal procedure for a problem like this is to back up the entire hard drive, about 12 minutes. Change the name of every instance of the file wuauclt.exe to wuauclt.xex and reboot. If the system won't boot I just restore the backup and continue on. Otherwise I get an answer one way or the other. There should be at least 3 instances of wuauclt.exe. The one for XP-Pro with SP2 is 111,104 bytes long. The uninstall version is 139,776 so I assume for just SP-1 installed it is 139,776. Find all instances by going to start\run and running "cmd ". Then key:

cd \(enter)
dir wuauclt.exe /s /p(enter)

When finished, key "exit(enter) to return to windows or just "x" out.

You might also just bring up the Windows Task Manager right after a boot and shut down wuauclt.exe and see if the computer shuts down. If you go this route, wait about 5 minutes and check to see if the file is still shutdown. Sometimes Windows re-runs these modules.

I can see no reason why wuauclt.exe runs on one boot and not on the other unless it is a timed check for updates. If so, for some reason it is probably your problem even if it is the Microsoft version. In that case, stop it from running from the registry and you will probably solve the problem. I do not allow automatic updates on my computer so it never runs that file. You might just turn off automatic updates for awhile and see what effect that has. Saves doing all that other stuff with the registry.

Other than software, I'm still looking at a power supply problem.

*********Mods, I'm not sure if posting a reference to another bbs as I did above is allowable. If not, my apologies. I thought the gentlemen needed the information.***********

Giles

 

To add to the wuauclt.exe issue.

Normally, if AU is enabled, wuauclt.exe will run on bootup for about 10 minutes and then disappear. Not sure if it comes back at timed intervals since I don't have AU enabled either - hi giles

So one clue that its a rogue would be if its running all the time.

Regards - Charles

 

Response to Rockster2U

"You haven't mentioned what happens after an extended power off period (no PC activity for a few hours) if you first disconnect your power cord and then reconnect it and then boot up. "

This is the normal situation since I turn off the line conditioner that feeds the unit when I finish using the unit.

 

New PSU

Well, I went ahead and ordered a new PSU

Seems to me all the bad stuff about wuauclt doesn't include a disorderly shut down of the PSU so I'll just wait till I try the new one before I go poking around the registry, etc. etc.

Will let you know how I make out.

Thanks again

 

Is your unplug-replug-restart also done by turning off this "line conditioner "?
What else is plugged into this "line conditioner" and have you tried plugging your computer into a different outlet without the "line conditioner "?

Just saw your last post re: new PSU - this sure isn't going to hurt the situation as long as its compatable.

 

Hi. Bananaball.

Good move. I would replace a 5-year old psu just because it's a sunny day.

I know you can get tired of playing with a problem like that, but, when you get a chance turn off automatic updates and give it a try. That will eliminate quite a lot of possibilities.

Thanks for being patient with our suggestions.

-----
Hi CharlesVar - When you get a chance try out a program called wwdc.exe. It closes some problem ports in Windows. It's free. It can be gotten at (click here).
-----

Giles

 

Thanks giles, its in my toolbox

Regards - Charles

 

It was the PSU

So I installed the new PSU today and it has been running for over a half hour with no problem.

I'm sticking with my temperature point theory even though it is a bit weird.

Thanks to all who pitched in on this one - I've never had a three pager before!

 

Congrats Bananaball. Great result. Very interesting problem. Thanks for letting us have a go.

Giles

 

bananaball, keep us posted. Don't worry about number of pages - some problems demand it. Cheers