The Dell that only shutsdown...

[Brother Shatterstone]

Well, I got a computer that I'm finding that us stumping and I've seen a number of great ideas for troubleshooting from others on this board so I thought I would give you all a try.

OS: windows 2000 (sp4)
Synopsis: After boot up the computer shutdown 7 seconds to 20 seconds after start up. Logoning on to it, or the network, or simply waiting for this reboot has no effect on it.

Both Safe Mode and Safe Mode with networking work normally.

This computer was on the network till we swapped to the new network last week, a few SCSI cards where removed at this time, and have been removed from the hardware. Current virus defs are verified, and updated when needed, on every logon. Virus scan was ran anyhow, nothing found and the windows update is clear of needing an critical system updates…

Anyhow got any ideas?


Oh and when I say it shutdown, I mean just that, the OS goes through shutdown and turns off so it’s not a power supply issue.

 

[Henry]

Virus. VERY possibly a virus.

Boot up in Safe Mode, install an anti-virus program (or update its definitions if you have one already), and do a FULL scan.

I've known several viruses to do this exact thing.

 

[Fast Learner]

Your updated virus definitions make it seem somewhat unlikely, but it's possible that the tool you're using is unable to remove Sasser.

The description sounds exactly like Sasser: http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/w32.sasser.b.worm.html

Try the removal tool (I believe it will work in Safe Mode).

Also take a look at the Energy Settings, and if there's some APS software that's mis-firing, both of which can shut down the machine on a schedule (and the schedule might be effectively set to shut it down immediately).

 

[Brother Shatterstone]

Your updated virus definitions make it seem somewhat unlikely, but it's possible that the tool you're using is unable to remove Sasser.

Naw, I'm using Symantec tool and they want you to run it in safe mode... Anyhow no virus, and it hasn't been on a network in 8 days or so. It's defs are much more current than that.

Also take a look at the Energy Settings, and if there's some APS software that's mis-firing, both of which can shut down the machine on a schedule (and the schedule might be effectively set to shut it down immediately).

Good idea, and I turned everything off after your suggestion... Still no dice though.

 

[Psionicist]

In the cmd, run shutdown -a. Does it help?

Can you write down all the process running before the system reboots?

 

[Psionicist]

In the cmd, run shutdown -a. Does it help?

Can you write down all the process running before the system reboots?

My Computer - rightclick(properties), Advanced (tab), Startup and Recovery
Untick the 'Automatically Reboot' checkbox under System Failure. Does it help?

 

[herald]

In the cmd, run shutdown -a. Does it help?

Can you write down all the process running before the system reboots?

My Computer - rightclick(properties), Advanced (tab), Startup and Recovery
Untick the 'Automatically Reboot' checkbox under System Failure. Does it help?

Your RPC is getting shut down. If you can stave of it rebooting by using the shutdown -a, go into the services and set RPC to automatically restart instead of shutting down the pc. Then update the OS and Antivirus.

 

[Krieg]

Sounds a lot like a thermal event.

Check to make sure the heatsink is still firmly coupled to the CPU.

 

[Angcuru]

Sounds like you're overheating. Open up the case and clear out all the dust you can, and make sure that all your fans are working. You DO have fans, don't you?

Any BTW, it would be wise never to Purchase a Dell. EVER. It's best to build your own, getting double the quality at a fraction of the price. Here's an address a good site where you can get parts directly from the manufacturer, guides on designing and building your own PC, or just let them build one for you. www.tigerdirect.com

 

[Brother Shatterstone]

Sounds like you're overheating. Open up the case and clear out all the dust you can, and make sure that all your fans are working. You DO have fans, don't you?

Yes it does and no it's not over heating... You could run a processor bare and have it stay up and running far longer than this hunk of junk lasts...

Any BTW, it would be wise never to Purchase a Dell. EVER. It's best to build your own, getting double the quality at a fraction of the price.

Though this is technical not true anymore due to the rising price of software and the deceasing cost of hardware, at least the fraction of the price, I always build my own pc.

If this was my PC I would have simply formatted and started over... This is a windows error, probably due to the SCSI cards being pulled without removing them original from windows. (Not me, my boss did that.) Of course I can't really format it cause they only want it for the software that's on it.

Anyhow, work has decided this computer is fine the way it is and the user can simply do his work in safe mode. (It's no longer his primary computer.) So I'm not really giving this thing a second thought until I get the word to format it. I'll probably format it simply to see if I'm right or not.