Computer won't boot/shut down.

[hdivr]

I'm trying to troubleshoot a problem with a relative's computer. She
has an Emachine (about 3 years old) and stated that her computer would
not shut itself down. Even if she unplugs the machine from the wall
outlet, the computer instantly tries to come on. She doesn't even have
time to hit the switch.

So, I'm thinking switch/power supply??

But.....she says that the green (hard drive?) light is constantly on
and that the computer won't get past the blue screen. Just gibberish
- no logo, no boot up, nothing.

So is this a motherboard problem??? Maybe both???

Any info is appreciated. Thanks

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

I'm trying to troubleshoot a problem with a relative's computer. She
has an Emachine (about 3 years old) and stated that her computer would
not shut itself down. Even if she unplugs the machine from the wall
outlet, the computer instantly tries to come on. She doesn't even have
time to hit the switch.

So, I'm thinking switch/power supply??

But.....she says that the green (hard drive?) light is constantly on
and that the computer won't get past the blue screen. Just gibberish
- no logo, no boot up, nothing.

So is this a motherboard problem??? Maybe both???

Any info is appreciated. Thanks

You write "Even if she unplugs the machine from the wall
outlet, the computer instantly tries to come on." This sounds
interesting: The computer comes on when the mains cable
is unplugged! Has she found a new energy source?

Many PCs have a BIOS setting that makes the PC start
automatically after a power failure. I suggest you go there
and have a look at it yourself. Take a Win98 boot disk
with you (www.bootdisk.com) and a copy of ntfsdos.exe
(www.sysinternals.com) so that you can do some basic
examination of her disk.

 

[Pennywise]

I'm trying to troubleshoot a problem with a relative's computer. She
has an Emachine (about 3 years old) and stated that her computer would
not shut itself down. Even if she unplugs the machine from the wall
outlet, the computer instantly tries to come on. She doesn't even have
time to hit the switch.

As mention'd check your bios
I have three settings of how to act on a shutdown (mine is stayoff)