Machine boots by itself

[Rita]

Our home computer starts by itself. It is not connected to
a DSL. We use a dial up if we want to connect to the
internet. We are using W2000 Pro. It just started doing
this.

 

[Bob I]

Something fishy going on. No trogans or worms or viruses? Is there any
"Scheduled Tasks" setup, that may wake the machine? (Control Panel,
r-click Scheduled Tasks and Open)

 

[Daniel Chang [MSFT]]

Or any settings in the BIOS that might be set to start the machine? Or some
kind of power surge? Or little computer gremlin?
--
--
Daniel Chang
Server Setup Team

Search our Knowledge Base at http://support.microsoft.com/directory
Visit the Windows 2000 Homepage at
http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/default.asp
See the Windows NT Homepage at http://www.microsoft.com/ntserver/

NOTE: Please reply to the newsgroup and not directly to me. This allows
others to add to and benefit from these threads and also helps to ensure a
more timely response. Thank you!
This posting is provided "AS IS" without warranty either expressed or
implied, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of
merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.
The views and opinions expressed in this newsgroup posting are mine and do
not necessarily express or reflect the views and / or opinions of Microsoft.


: Something fishy going on. No trogans or worms or viruses? Is there any
: "Scheduled Tasks" setup, that may wake the machine? (Control Panel,
: r-click Scheduled Tasks and Open)
:
: Rita wrote:
:
: > Our home computer starts by itself. It is not connected to
: > a DSL. We use a dial up if we want to connect to the
: > internet. We are using W2000 Pro. It just started doing
: > this.
: >
:

 

[mwimmer]

My Netvista has been doing the same thing. No virus, or
such could be found. It is on a IBM UPS so power suges
should not be an issue...Gremlins are standard with all MS
products arn't they?

Any other ideas?

 

[Jlmc]

Little tip No and I mean No software program can turn on the computer on its
own when the system is shut down. You will need to look in your Bios
settings of the Computer itself. Look for Wake on Lan, Automatic turn on
settings, and Power failure settings. If those are all correct you may have
a flaky power on switch, Powersupply or the motherboard itself.

 

[Guest]

I have been having the same problem with my Net Vista, for a little over a month now. I use Windows 2000, a dial-up to the internet, a power strip for components, no battery backup, Norton hasn't detected anything. Can you tell me how to look in my Bios settings and automatic turn on settings? I don't know how to do these things. Could this be from a Windows update? How would I know if it's the motherboard? Many thanks!

 

[Bill James]

The Net Vista model 6579 uses an Intel motherboard with a known problem with the capacitors, and spontaneous reboots is a common symptom of this problem. You should be able to get a warrantee replacement, even if the normal warrantee period has expired. A quick visual examination can usually spot the problem. Disconnect the computer and remove the case cover. Look at the capacitors (capacitors look like small cans, aprox 1/2 inch tall). If there is any leakage around/on the capacitors, or if the sides are bulging or the tops rounded, you have the problem.

Background articles: http://www.google.com/search?num=20...indow=1&safe=off&q=bad+capacitor+electrolyte+

--

Bill James
Microsoft MVP - Shell/User

Win9x VBScript Utilities » www.billsway.com/vbspage/
Windows Tweaks & Tips » www.billsway.com/notes_public/

 

[Guest]

Thanks, Bill. We couldn't visualize any corrosion or leakage, so unless you have any other good ideas, my next step will be to contact IBM - I don't have a lot of faith that they will be much help, though! Thanks for your information.

 

[Thagor]

Sorry I didn't see your original post but this may help:

I've seen systems come up and run if have been set to "Wake On LAN" or "Wake
On RING" in BIOS. Also "Scheduler" can cause this under some circumstances..

Thanks, Bill. We couldn't visualize any corrosion or leakage, so unless

you have any other good ideas, my next step will be to contact IBM - I don't
have a lot of faith that they will be much help, though! Thanks for your
information.

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the response! How do I check "Wake On LAN" or "Wak
On RING" in BIOS? I'm a novice. Here's my original post: I have been having the same problem with my Net Vista, for a little over a month now. I use Windows 2000, a dial-up to the internet, a power strip for components, no battery backup, Norton hasn't detected anything. Can you tell me how to look in my Bios settings and automatic turn on settings? I don't know how to do these things. Could this be from a Windows update? How would I know if it's the motherboard? Many thanks

 

[Thagor]

At the risk of sounding rude, I have to say that you are the classic example
of why the manufacturers print those nice manuals to accompany their
products. The BIOS access method and menu is different for every different
model system and it would not make sense to try and hash it out over this
ng. Find your system manual and read through it. Pay special attention to
the BIOS Setup procedures.

Now, since you are using Dial Up internet, it is unlikely this is a BIOS
problem anyway. If it were, the PC would come to life every time you
received a call!

You more than likely have a virus scan scheduled at times when the system
comes to life. Check your Norton settings for scheduled scans.

Thanks for the response! How do I check "Wake On LAN" or "Wake
On RING" in BIOS? I'm a novice. Here's my original post: I have been

having the same problem with my Net Vista, for a little over a month now. I
use Windows 2000, a dial-up to the internet, a power strip for components,
no battery backup, Norton hasn't detected anything. Can you tell me how to
look in my Bios settings and automatic turn on settings? I don't know how
to do these things. Could this be from a Windows update? How would I know
if it's the motherboard? Many thanks!

 

[Guest]

Yeah he's right in that sense. Anti virus is likely to be the cause, but its really hard to say that the computer reboots itself even when its is shut down(what? is there a ghost in your home?) Seriously, you have to contact a real technical person(i mean in flesh) to solve it.

 

[Guest]

I've been trying to post a reply to Thagor for a few months now, but have been prevented from doing so ("sorry, we are unable to service your request"). "Our sincere apologies for the delay in our response and for any inconvenience you have experienced. We discovered that users using a Norton Utilities and running a personal firewall are experiencing difficulties when posting to the communities sites. Can you please try again.

Thagor - I understand your frustration w/my lack of computer skills & I wish I had one of those handy manuals - however, my computer was purchased by my employer directly from IBM so I could work at home. Per IBM manuals are not provided in such instances since it’s assumed the person has the working knowledge to preclude the need for a manual, so only preloaded help and on-line help are available. (Of course a manual could be purchased separately for a VERY high price!). Anyway, it's very difficult to troubleshoot a problem when it is obscure enough to not show up in help searches. A computer booting itself isn't exactly in the index. Despite many tries in Windows help on Windows on-line help, nowhere did I find info about how to access the BIOS program or view/change settings. All I got was the definition of BIOS. I am a fairly intelligent woman but I have spent hours trying to solve this problem. Norton was not the cause of the problem

Finally I called IBM and fortunately got the only person in the Atlanta help offices who had heard of this problem, as someone else had had the same issue. He patiently walked me through how to access my BIOS settings, which were in SPANISH. Unless ordered special, all IBM systems sold in the US have English settings. Apparently my Spanish BIOS was misinterpreting calls into my modem-dedicated telephone line (no ringer), and my system booted up with any telemarketer or wrong number call. Please note this didn't occur for the first 1.5 years I owned this system, and in retrospect this problem only began after a recent Windows update was done

I have now gone 19 days w/out any ghost sessions. If you are having a similar problem, access your BIOS settings by continuously pressing F1 as your system boots up, until you see the BIOS settings screen. May it be in English

Thagor, I didn't interpret your note as rude - only frustrating considering my dilemma. I can only assume you would feel the same way if you had difficulty configuring the utility usage and efficiency of all HVAC units in a hospital, and the cost-savings scenarios based on your adjustment of individual or series of such units. If you don't know why one unit isn't performing up to speed, it's hard to determine the cause if you are delving into the configurations w/limited knowledge. Manuals would be helpful, but ironically are also not included w/the price of an HVAC since it is assumed that if you know enough to buy the unit, you must know the capabilities and troubleshooting aspects of it, precluding the need for a manual. If you ever need help w/that, just let me know