XP Won't restart

[bpurser]

I have a home built PC with a PIV 2.6 gig processor and 1.5 gigs of RAM. UNFORTUNATELY, while our basement was being remodeled, my 10 yr old had free access to it, cause her PC was in storage....generally, the PC works just find, but for the past few months, when going to the Start Menu, Turn Off The Computer, and selecting Restart, it just powers down, without restarting, about 19 times out of 20. If I look at it funny when hitting Restart, it occasionally restarts, but I am afraid my face might freeze that way.

This also occurs after an install program says "You need to restart, do you want me to do it for you," it just shuts down instead.

Any thoughts on this? Running XP SP2.

TIA
Ben

 

[rvnguy]

Check in the BIOS settings for options.


Boot.ini should look something like this
[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Pro Edition" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptIn


Post back with what you find

rvnguy
"I know everything..I just can't remember it all

 

[bpurser]

Here is what I have...am running a relatively intensive process right now, but whill change my 5 to your 30 and see if that has an impact, then will check the BIOS.

[boot loader]
timeout=5
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect /noexecute=optin


Ben

 

[linney]

How does it perform from Safe Mode?

How does it behave if in Normal Mode you are logged in as a different user?

Try running ChkDsk to check your drive for errors. Right click your Drive icon/ Properties/ Tools/ Error Checking.

Run the System File Checker program from the Run Box by typing.....Sfc /Scannow in it and have your XP CD handy.

HOW TO: Verify Unsigned Device Drivers in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q308/5/14.asp

http://groups.google.com/groups?ie=UTF-8&q="does+not+work"+reboot+OR+restart&qt_s=Search

Automatically Reboot Option Does Not Work if the Paging File Is Set to Zero in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;320846&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

To get further information about any error look in your Event viewer.

Look in the System or Application folder. You can get to the Event Viewer via right click My Computer icon and select Manage.

Any errors logged in the Event Viewer can be expanded by double clicking on the error line.

If they don't work you could try repairing windows by running it over itself. You will lose all your windows updates but your files will be untouched.

How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade (Reinstallation) of Windows XP (Q315341)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q315/3/41.asp

 

[bpurser]

Well, it does restart fine in Safe Mode, so it must be a driver or device or program I've loaded.

I have already come to the conclusion for other reasons that I need to wipe my disk & re-build everything, so once I work up the gumption to do that, I will identify the culprit.

However, for now, I have an index finger and a power button, so I'll live with that.

Thanks to everyone for their help.

Ben

 

[linney]

310353 - How to Perform a Clean Boot in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;310353&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

316434 - HOW TO: Perform Advanced Clean-Boot Troubleshooting in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;316434&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

310560 - How to Troubleshoot By Using the Msconfig Utility in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;310560&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

 

[bpurser]

Thanks--I will check them out...

Ben

 

[GVN]

Also, try to do a System Restore back to a date that before your kid trashed it. It should revert back to the state when it worked fine.

GVN

 

[Cindy1]

GVN I'm impressed!!!