windows xp restarts itself after I shut it down

I'm new here and a beginner with computer skills so I'm a bit frustrated. After I shut down my laptop after a few minutes it reboots and starts up again on its own. Is this a virus? Or something else? Thanks

 

This:http://support.microsoft.com/kb/320299/
tells you a little bit.

mickzer.

 

Thanks!

Thanks so much, I'll give it a try!

 

The above would be a good place to start BUT!?

Are you sure it actually shuts down?

If it is really completing shutdown and powers off, then you had better look at the Wakeup settings in BIOS.

Pehaps the wake on LAN or Modem is on.

Mike

 

Hi Mike and thanks for replying. Sorry I didn't reply sooner my computer was not staying "OFF ". Yes, I completely shut it down. It would stay off for a while and then suddenly start up as if I hit the on button. This happened whether it is closed or open. (Laptop). But finally had to take it in to the shop for 4 days!! He did a system recovery on it twice and says that there is nothing wrong with my computer that it is working fine and that it didn't do it while in the shop all that time...very frustrating. But of course when I brought it back home it did it again. He thought it might be my AOL service so I called them and they had me reinstall the service. You guessed it...it did it again!

I pulled all the plugs from it because I was going to take it back to the shop and it seemed like it completely died, no lights on at all. I thought it was a gonner!! So, I plugged the battery pack in and the light came on as usual. Waited a while and plugged the phone line in and waited. Then the rest of the plugs for the keyboard and printer. It seems to be working fine now. But it remains to be seen.

Thanks again for your suggestion. But what is the wakeup setting in Bios? Where would I find that in case I need to do it?
VVlechn

 

Hi V

The BIOS has to complete before the computer boots.

Similar to going in to Safe mode by hitting a key while windows boots. Safe mode is the F8 key.

But the BIOS has to be caught even before safe mode.

Different keys on different computers usually the DEL key sometimes F1 or F2.
Look closley on the black screen before windows boots.

WARNING: if you get there go slow do not change anything unless you are sure of what you are doing.

When you get there look for Wake settings like Wake On LAN or Wake on Modem or Ring. If you find these turn them all off!

Before doing the above you may try the below to confirm this may be the issue.

Simply disconnect any network cables and turn off any Routers or Cable/DSL modems. If it stays off with all these off then the Wake ON.. is your problem

It also may be why the repair service (geeze) never noticed it as they may not have had a cable or wireless or modem connected while it was off!

Mike

 

WOW! Thanks! Your imput is greatly appreciated and I will print up the instructions. For some reason it hasn't turned itself ON since Monday evening. It did this before where I thought it was OK and then it would happen unexpectedly. I will definetely try your suggestions.
Vvlechn