Look Ma No Hands - computer logs off and shuts down

[GordyB]

My HP (m7680n) unexpectedly logs off and then shuts down. The computer is
less than 6 months old, so I don't suspect a hardware problem. According to
installed software the CPU Temp. is around 100 F. The graphics card is
around 60 C. Both seem normal to me. All onboard tests (PC Doctor 5) pass,
including the stress tests. The computer will log off while typing, or using
the mouse. I don't run any games. If I were to leave the computer alone, and
do nothing, it's fine. But sometimes just hitting a combination of keys or
clicking the mouse, any random input activity, it may log off and continue
to shut down and power off. It does not automatically reboot. But, it will
come right back up with no problem and maybe stay functional for several
hours or a day or two. Which kind of leads me believe it's not a heat
problem. I have looked at the event viewer, but nothing seems to be logged
about the log off and shutdown. I've run virus software, spy detection soft
ware, worm blaster software and found nothing. Tried disabling all start-up
programs in msconfig.sys. Have tried uninstalling the ACPI Fixed Feature
Button in the Device Manager/System Devices as suggested by HP. It's very
intermittent and frustrating, and I just can't isolate the problem. Would
appreciate any help.

GordyB

 

[Jim]

My HP (m7680n) unexpectedly logs off and then shuts down. The computer is
less than 6 months old, so I don't suspect a hardware problem. According
to
installed software the CPU Temp. is around 100 F. The graphics card is
around 60 C. Both seem normal to me. All onboard tests (PC Doctor 5) pass,
including the stress tests. The computer will log off while typing, or
using
the mouse. I don't run any games. If I were to leave the computer alone,
and
do nothing, it's fine. But sometimes just hitting a combination of keys or
clicking the mouse, any random input activity, it may log off and continue
to shut down and power off. It does not automatically reboot. But, it will
come right back up with no problem and maybe stay functional for several
hours or a day or two. Which kind of leads me believe it's not a heat
problem. I have looked at the event viewer, but nothing seems to be logged
about the log off and shutdown. I've run virus software, spy detection
soft
ware, worm blaster software and found nothing. Tried disabling all
start-up
programs in msconfig.sys. Have tried uninstalling the ACPI Fixed Feature
Button in the Device Manager/System Devices as suggested by HP. It's very
intermittent and frustrating, and I just can't isolate the problem. Would
appreciate any help.

GordyB

It may be only 6 months old, but that does not preclude a hardware problem.

Sometimes a faulty or inadequate power supply will cause the computer to
crash.
Both Dell and HP install marginal power supplies.

Sometimes a faulty memory chip will cause a computer to crash.

Jim

 

[DL]

www.memtest.org

Create the bootable floppy & run for at least several hours

 

[Patrick Keenan]

My HP (m7680n) unexpectedly logs off and then shuts down. The computer is
less than 6 months old, so I don't suspect a hardware problem. According
to
installed software the CPU Temp. is around 100 F. The graphics card is
around 60 C. Both seem normal to me. All onboard tests (PC Doctor 5) pass,
including the stress tests. The computer will log off while typing, or
using
the mouse. I don't run any games. If I were to leave the computer alone,
and
do nothing, it's fine. But sometimes just hitting a combination of keys or
clicking the mouse, any random input activity, it may log off and continue
to shut down and power off. It does not automatically reboot. But, it will
come right back up with no problem and maybe stay functional for several
hours or a day or two. Which kind of leads me believe it's not a heat
problem. I have looked at the event viewer, but nothing seems to be logged
about the log off and shutdown. I've run virus software, spy detection
soft
ware, worm blaster software and found nothing. Tried disabling all
start-up
programs in msconfig.sys. Have tried uninstalling the ACPI Fixed Feature
Button in the Device Manager/System Devices as suggested by HP. It's very
intermittent and frustrating, and I just can't isolate the problem. Would
appreciate any help.

GordyB

It actually logs off, or does it shut down? You see it going through the
shutdown process?

Crashes and hardware failure don't behave that way. There, the machine
will just shut down suddenly.

If you could clarify, that would be helpful.

HTH
-pk

 

[GordyB]

It actually logs off, or does it shut down? You see it going through the
shutdown process?

Crashes and hardware failure don't behave that way. There, the machine
will just shut down suddenly.

If you could clarify, that would be helpful.

HTH
-pk

Oh, yes. It actually goes through the log off process. Saving my settings
and all that. It happens right when you're doing something, and you sit
there helplessly and can't stop it. Oh, and once in a while it'll go to
sleep or hibernate!

It's the damndest thing I've ever seen. I turn it right back on and it
might
stay OK for several hours. Right now I've loaded almost everything in the
msconfig.sys, and I hope I don't jinx it, but it's staying up now for almost
18 hours without a problem. What I don't have loaded is the KDB.exe file
for the HP keyboard. Some how I've a gut feeling that something is not
kosher with the keyboard/mouse program... dunno..

tks for any help

 

[Patrick Keenan]

Oh, yes. It actually goes through the log off process. Saving my settings
and all that. It happens right when you're doing something, and you sit
there helplessly and can't stop it. Oh, and once in a while it'll go to
sleep or hibernate!

It's the damndest thing I've ever seen. I turn it right back on and it
might
stay OK for several hours. Right now I've loaded almost everything in the
msconfig.sys, and I hope I don't jinx it, but it's staying up now for
almost
18 hours without a problem. What I don't have loaded is the KDB.exe file
for the HP keyboard. Some how I've a gut feeling that something is not
kosher with the keyboard/mouse program... dunno..

tks for any help

That's actually great, then, as it greatly reduces the chances that it's
hardware failure. Look in the system log for events just before the
shutdown, and perhaps get Process Explorer and keep an eye on what is
running.

There are utilities (and viruses) that will trigger shutdowns.

HTH
-pk