dell dimension

[Dave U. Random]

We've got a dell dimension xps_r, (intel se440bx mainboard). We
shut down the computer from windows xp - shoft shut down. The
computer is plugged into a surge protecter power strip which we
also turn off at night. When we turn the power strip back on,
the computer starts without pushing the "on" button.

This had been happening for several months (since we upgraded to
windows xp from windows 98). Now it has begun to print out an
almost blank page from our hp laserjet 4L printer at boot as
well. (The page has one letter, a "U" on it).

Our virus program isn't finding any problems (avira antivir).

I had alot of problems getting the printer to function with win
xp at 1st.

Any ideas?

Thanks.

 

[John Doe]

We've got a dell dimension xps_r, (intel se440bx mainboard). We
shut down the computer from windows xp - shoft shut down. The
computer is plugged into a surge protecter power strip which we
also turn off at night. When we turn the power strip back on,
the computer starts without pushing the "on" button.

I don't understand why removing power from the mainboard would do
that. Maybe that was a feature of the 440 BX. Most modern mainboards
probably end up in the same state regardless of shut down method. Mine
requires pressing the on button.

This had been happening for several months (since we upgraded to
windows xp from windows 98). Now it has begun to print out an
almost blank page from our hp laserjet 4L printer at boot as
well. (The page has one letter, a "U" on it).

Our virus program isn't finding any problems (avira antivir).

If the U covered the entire page, I might be worried.
Especially liked if it said "HEY U!"

I had alot of problems getting the printer to function with win
xp at 1st.

Uninstall and reinstall your printer drivers? Did you upgrade over
Windows 98? Upgrading to Windows XP is very good, but always better to
do a clean install of Windows.

Do you have a copy of any important files from your hard drive to
removable media?

 

[Dave]

We've got a dell dimension xps_r, (intel se440bx mainboard). We
shut down the computer from windows xp - shoft shut down. The
computer is plugged into a surge protecter power strip which we
also turn off at night. When we turn the power strip back on,
the computer starts without pushing the "on" button.

This had been happening for several months (since we upgraded to
windows xp from windows 98). Now it has begun to print out an
almost blank page from our hp laserjet 4L printer at boot as
well. (The page has one letter, a "U" on it).

Our virus program isn't finding any problems (avira antivir).

I had alot of problems getting the printer to function with win
xp at 1st.

Any ideas?

Thanks.

You have two symptoms, and ZERO problems. First, your BIOS is apparently
programmed to power on after a power outage. This is normal behavior. Many
mainboards are programmed like this by default*. If you didn't notice it
until you installed XP, it's possible that -coincidentally- your BIOS backup
battery got weak around the same time you installed XP, and now the BIOS has
reverted to default CMOS settings. Meaning, it now powers up when it senses
power comes back on, as it should. Only fix for this is to go into the BIOS
setup menus and set power failure setting to OFF after power failure.

As for the printer... it has something stuck in the printer spool. Don't
know why it doesn't delete itself, but you can manually delete it. Control
Panel, Printers, click on printer, then you should see a job in the printer
spool. Maybe more than one job. Delete all pending print jobs. That
should do it. -Dave

*though I don't know why, as it is pretty STUPID, unless it is an unattended
server that needs to restart itself

 

[John Doe]

...go into the BIOS setup menus and set power failure setting to
OFF after power failure.

Yup, duh, I forgot about that switch.