Laptop with Shutdown/Restart Problem

[Mandi]

I have a client computer - 6 month old Dell Inspiron B130, running XP-SP2 - that performs beautifully except that it will not shutdown without pulling out the old "hold down the power button" trick. This applies to restarts as well, including the software-initiated type (I don't suppose it really matters what initiates the shutdown, though.)

This is not usually a major problem, but we'd like to apply a BIOS update, and it won't engage from the Windows Utility without the soft boot restart. When I force the shutdown, it forgets it was about to do the BIOS update.

I'd *really* prefer not to have to do a DOS BIOS update, and I'd like to resolve the weird shutdown issue too. Anyone run into this before? I'm thinking this may be one instance where a reinstall (overlay) of XP might actually be helpful and work.

[Randall]

I have a client computer - 6 month old Dell Inspiron B130, running XP-SP2 - that performs beautifully except that it will not shutdown without pulling out the old "hold down the power button" trick. This applies to restarts as well, including the software-initiated type (I don't suppose it really matters what initiates the shutdown, though.) I was having that problem a lot with my Dell desktop machine here at work. Can't for the life of me remember when (or why) it stopped.

Gee, I'm a big help. :rasberry: I'd *really* prefer not to have to do a DOS BIOS update It was a pleasant surprise last week to learn that we even had the option of a non-DOS BIOS update. (For the benefit of anyone who needs their Spooky Coincidence fix, I was working on a Dell laptop at the time.)

Randall

[Daytripper_MI6]

Hmmm, this looks like a good place to throw my "shutdown" problem story in(although from some reading I've done, it might be a "powerdown" problem I'm having versus a "shutdown" problem)
I have Windows XP Pro installed and when I choose shutdown from the start menu all appears to go well, machine shuts down, then about 3 seconds later it just restarts itself. If I turn the power switch off on the back of the computer as soon as it shutsdown, it will stay off.:dunno:
I already disabled the "automatically restart" on system failure option, and it's had no effect.
Even went into the BIOS and made sure the "wake on LAN" was not enabled.
It's a real head scratcher I tell ya.:umm:

[Jeff]

when I choose shutdown from the start menu all appears to go well, machine shuts down, then about 3 seconds later it just restarts itself.
On my supermicro motherboard, when I cpnnect the usb hub in my viewsonic monitor to any of the usb ports, xp refused to shutdown and instead reboots after shutdown. Disconnect usb hub (but leave attached all other usb connections to printer, scanner, etc. just not the hub) and it shuts down fine. This probably isn't your issue, but thought I would throw it out there ;)

[Mandi]

No hub, but there is a USB printer always hanging off it; trying to shutdown with that disconnected is worth a try. Thanks!

[Randall]

USB devices can interfere with startup as well. I suspect these things are caused by conflicts between the device's USB interface and the PC's host controller. Some chipsets just don't play well with others.

One client plugged a USB hub into his laptop and it blew the video driver. :ytrubeye:

Randall

[Mandi]

In fact, the computer DID restart without the USB printer hanging off of it. Wow, good call!

So, now to lobby for a printer server and just get the thing OFF her laptop altogether. I think she'd be happy with that setup, if I explain how it works.

[libertycat]

I have the same problem.... but even just installed XP, it was working 3 days shuting down perfectly..
After started not work, I formatted the disk completely and reinstalled XP clean.. but problem is still there !!
I tryed ALL the internet tips regarding this matter.. and nothing to do...
Is there anyone can give me other tip to try than all these ones that we can read hundreds of times on the net ?
I really become crazy with problem.. sorry ;-)