windows 7 reboots instead of shutting down
I have a new alienware m11x (64 bit windows 7) The system will not completely power down. Every attempt (except hard shutdown by holding down the power button) to shut down results in a reboot, It seems to be a full reboot starting from the setup screen. I have tried most of the msconfig settings and still get the same result. I have the latest bios offered. Any help would be great.
April 22nd, 2011 5:45am

Hi, Be sure to check with Alienware Support since it is under warranty and there could be known issues. Also ask in their forums. Did you also check for the latest low level chipset drivers and other major drivers? ================================================================ Try the Clean Boot method in this troubleshooter and the others as needed : References to Vista also apply to Windows 7. What antivirus/antispyware/security products do you have on machine? Include any you have EVER had on this machine including those you uninstalled (they leave remnants behind which can cause strange issues). ---------------------------------------------------- Do these : Try these to clear corruption and repair/replace damaged/missing system files. Start - type this in Search Box -> COMMAND find at top and RIGHT CLICK - RUN AS ADMIN Enter this at the prompt - sfc /scannow How to Repair Windows 7 System Files with System File Checker http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html How to analyze the log file entries that the Microsoft Windows Resource Checker (SFC.exe) program generates in Windows Vista cbs.log http://support.microsoft.com/kb/928228 Also run CheckDisk so we can rule out corruption as much as possible. How to Run Disk Check in Windows 7 http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/433-disk-check.html ========================================== After the above : How to troubleshoot a problem by performing a clean boot in Windows Vista or Windows 7 http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135 Use Advanced Tools to Troubleshoot Performance Problems in Windows 7 http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/6152/use-advanced-tools-to-troubleshoot-performance-problems-in-windows-7/ Problems with overall system speed and performance http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/gp/slow_windows_performance?p=1 How to troubleshoot performance issues in Windows Vista http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950685 Optimizing Microsoft Windows Vista Performance http://support.microsoft.com/kb/959062 To see all that is loading bootup - wait a few minutes without doing anything - then Right Click TaskBar - Task Manager - take a look at Appplications - Processes - Services - this is a quick reference (if you have a little box on Lower Left - Show for All Users then check that). How to Change, Add, or Remove Startup Programs in Windows 7 http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1401-startup-programs-change.html A quick check to see which are loading is Method 2 there - using MSCONFIG then post a list of those here. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Tools that should help : Process Explorer - Free - Find out what files, registry keys and other objects processes have open, which DLLs they have loaded, and more. This uniquely powerful utility will even show you who owns each process. http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896653.aspx Autoruns - Free - See what programs are configured to startup automatically when your system boots and you login. Autoruns also shows you the full list of Registry and file locations where applications can configure auto-start settings. http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb963902.aspx Process Monitor - Free - Monitor file system, Registry, process, thread and DLL activity in real-time. http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896645.aspx There are many excellent free tools at Sysinternals http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/default.aspx WhatsInStartUP - Free - This utility displays the list of all applications that are loaded automatically when Windows starts up. For each application, the following information is displayed: Startup Type (Registry/Startup Folder), Command -Line String, Product Name, File Version, Company Name, Location in the Registry or file system, and more. It allows you to easily disable or delete unwanted programs that runs in your Windows startup. http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/what_run_in_startup.html There are many excellent free tools at NirSoft http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/index.html Window Watcher - Free - Do you know what's running on your computer? Maybe not. The Window Watcher tells all, reporting every window created by every running program, whether the window is visible or not. http://www.karenware.com/powertools/ptwinwatch.asp Many excellent free tools and an excellent newsletter at Karenware http://www.karenware.com/ =========================================== Consider this an absolute must - manually updating your drivers. Vista and Windows 7 love updated drivers so here is how to update the major ones. This is my generic how to for proper driver updates : This utility makes it easy to see which versions are loaded : DriverView - Free - utility displays the list of all device drivers currently loaded on your system. For each driver in the list, additional useful information is displayed: load address of the driver, description, version, product name, company that created the driver, and more. http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/driverview.html For Drivers check System Maker as fallbacks and Device Maker's which are the most current. Control Panel - Device Manager - Display Adapter - write down the make and complete model of your video adapter - double click - Driver's tab - write down the version info. Now click UPdate Driver (this may not do anything as MS is far behind certifying drivers) - then Right Click - Uninstall - REBOOT this will refresh the driver stack. Repeat that for Network - Network Card (NIC), Wifi, Sound, Mouse and Keyboard if 3rd party with their own software and drivers and any other major device drivers you have. Now go to System Maker's site (Dell, HP, Toshiba as examples) (as rollback) and then Device Maker's site (Realtek, Intel, Nvidia, ATI as examples) and get their latest versions. (Look for BIOS, Chipset and software updates at System Maker's site while there.) Download - SAVE - go to where you put them - Right Click - RUN AD ADMIN - REBOOT after each installation. Always check in Device Manager - Drivers tab to be sure the version you are installing actually shows up. This is because some drivers rollback before the latest is installed (sound drivers particularly do this) so install a driver - reboot - check to be sure it is installed and repeat as needed. Repeat at Device Makers - BTW at Device Makers DO NOT RUN THEIR SCANNER - check manually by model. Manually look at manufacturer's sites for drivers - and Device Maker's sites. http://pcsupport.about.com/od/driverssupport/ht/driverdlmfgr.htm Installing and updating drivers in Windows 7 (updating drivers manually using the methods above is preferred to ensure the latest drivers from System maker and Device makers are found) http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/43216-installing-updating-drivers-7-a.html If you update drivers manually then it is a good idea to disable Driver Installations in Windows Updates, this leaves Windows Updates ON however it will not install drivers which will usually be older and cause issues. If Updates suggests a new driver then HIDE it (Right Click on it) and then go look for new ones manually if you wish. How To Disable Automatic Driver Installation In Windows Vista - Drivers http://www.addictivetips.com/windows-tips/how-to-disable-automatic-driver-installation-in-windows-vista/ http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc730606(WS.10).aspx =========================================== Refer to these threads for many more excellent tips however be sure to check your antivirus programs, update major drivers and BIOS, and also troubleshoot with the cleanboot method first. Problems with overall system speed and performance http://support.microsoft.com/gp/slow_windows_performance/en-us Performance and Maintenance tips http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/w7performance/thread/19e5d6c3-bf07-49ac-a2fa-6718c988f125 Windows Explorer has stopped working http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/w7performance/thread/6ab02526-5071-4dcc-895f-d90202bad8b3 Hope this helps. Rob Brown - Microsoft MVP <- profile - Windows Expert - Consumer : Bicycle - Mark Twain said it right.
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April 22nd, 2011 6:14am

Hi, For this issue, you could also refer to the following thread: windows 7 reboots when i try to shutdown Hope it helps. Alex ZhaoPlease remember to click Mark as Answer on the post that helps you, and to click Unmark as Answer if a marked post does not actually answer your question. This can be beneficial to other community members reading the thread.
April 25th, 2011 12:45pm

On desktop rightclick->new text document Open and Paste this into it: C:\Windows\System32\shutdown.exe /s /t 5 Close & rename to Shutdown.bat or what you wish .bat Click on it to see if windows shuts down or restarts
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April 25th, 2011 1:04pm

I have no idea if you're still having this problem, but here's what solved it for me encase anyone else finds this thread with google and has the same problem. I built my system, and it's always ran fine, but this problem started when I removed the motherboard to remedy some heat issues with my Processor I was having. Turns out I plugged the case wires in incorrectly. I accidentally plugged the Pwr switch into the MSG pins and visa versa. So when it would turn off, the computer would detect the on button because it was connected to the circuit for the light (At least what I think was happening). If none of these solutions are working, check your case wiring -- it's sometimes quite hard to see in there. I've built a lot of systems, and I missed it.
September 17th, 2011 2:21pm

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