computer HD Light flashes on shutdown and then restarts

[Lenny]

Hi,
I have an XP pro machine that I am fairly sure is clear of virus's and
malware. I have made sure that the tick box to cause the computer to
automatically restart after a faliure is not ticked.

When I shut down the computer from Start > Shutdown it shuts down for about
3 or 4 seconds and then restarts again. In those few seconds the power light
and the HD light both flash quickly and constantly and then the computer
restarts. If I press the power button the same thing happens but if I turn
the power off at the plug and then on again it doesn't restart.

I have checked to make sure that the power settings are correct and I have
also disabled any option in the Bios that might bring it out of the off
mode.

The switch seems to be working OK and I am sure the flashing lights must be
a sign.

Any suggestions would be greatly recieved as I am stuck.

Cheers
Lenny

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I have an XP pro machine that I am fairly sure is clear of virus's
and malware. I have made sure that the tick box to cause the
computer to automatically restart after a faliure is not ticked.

When I shut down the computer from Start > Shutdown it shuts down
for about 3 or 4 seconds and then restarts again. In those few
seconds the power light and the HD light both flash quickly and
constantly and then the computer restarts. If I press the power
button the same thing happens but if I turn the power off at the
plug and then on again it doesn't restart.
I have checked to make sure that the power settings are correct and
I have also disabled any option in the Bios that might bring it out
of the off mode.

The switch seems to be working OK and I am sure the flashing lights
must be a sign.

Any suggestions would be greatly recieved as I am stuck.

Resources to help troubleshoot shutdown problems in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308029

Windows XP Shutdown & Restart Troubleshooting
http://www.aumha.org/win5/a/shtdwnxp.htm

 

[R. McCarty]

Is this a recent condition that wasn't happening previously?
See the following for advice on Shutdown issues.
http://www.aumha.org/win5/a/shtdwnxp.php

 

[Lenny]

Hi,
The computer has been working fine for the last 3 months with no new
software or hardware added. There are no problems in the device manager. I
have had a look at the ideas below and nothing seems obvious but it looks
like I might need to spend the next 3 weeks going through the possibilities.
Cheers

 

[Lenny]

For some unknown reason the computer seems to have righted it's self. For
the moment anyway.
Cheers