Restart problem with Windows 2000

[Trevor Midgley]

I have a restart problem with my Win2K computer, which I hope someone
can help me with.

I'm running Windows 2000 Professional (Service Pack 4).

Put simply, if I do a normal Shut Down of the computer, all is well.
The screen comes up saying "It is now safe…" etc, and I close down.

However, if I select Restart, the computer goes through its Shut Down
procedure to the point where the monitor's signal is lost, then
nothing further happens.

The Restart button does nothing, the Power button has no effect, Esc,
Ctrl/Alt/Del, all are ineffective. All I can do is switch off the
power at the mains socket, wait 15 seconds or so for the hard drive to
stop spinning, switch the mains back on then hit the Power button.
Then the computer boots up like nothing has happened.

This happens whenever any Restart instruction is given (ie., via the
Restart button, the Shut Down/Restart selection, or anything within
Windows that requires a Restart).

I've tried opening up in Safe Mode, then doing a Restart. Same effect.
And I have no applications showing in Task Manager that could be
causing a conflict. In fact, I have no applications showing in Task
Manager at all!

Any thoughts / suggestions / contributions gratefully accepted.

 

[Bill Piety]

Interesting. I also have a restart issue with Win2K sp4. The signal that
goes to the screen is distorted and I must also power down. A normal shut
down and then power on is fine but the restart is a no go. Sole issue with
the pc. Are you on a desktop or laptop? What video card do you have (if
any - shared/system board)? Is your bios current?

 

[Mistoffolees]

I have a restart problem with my Win2K computer, which I hope someone
can help me with.

I'm running Windows 2000 Professional (Service Pack 4).

Put simply, if I do a normal Shut Down of the computer, all is well.
The screen comes up saying "It is now safe…" etc, and I close down.

However, if I select Restart, the computer goes through its Shut Down
procedure to the point where the monitor's signal is lost, then
nothing further happens.

The Restart button does nothing, the Power button has no effect, Esc,
Ctrl/Alt/Del, all are ineffective. All I can do is switch off the
power at the mains socket, wait 15 seconds or so for the hard drive to
stop spinning, switch the mains back on then hit the Power button.
Then the computer boots up like nothing has happened.

This happens whenever any Restart instruction is given (ie., via the
Restart button, the Shut Down/Restart selection, or anything within
Windows that requires a Restart).

I've tried opening up in Safe Mode, then doing a Restart. Same effect.
And I have no applications showing in Task Manager that could be
causing a conflict. In fact, I have no applications showing in Task
Manager at all!

Any thoughts / suggestions / contributions gratefully accepted.

I would suspect issues involving the PSU, motherboard
and CPU. What CPU? Peripheral devices and number? And
what is the power capacity of the PSU?

 

[Trevor Midgley]

Cheers, guys!

Bill, I’m on a desktop. Display adapter is ATI Technologies 3D RAGE
PRO PCI. Can’t say whether my BIOS is current – probably not - but the
Restart was working OK up to a couple of weeks ago, then it took a
dive.

Mistoffolees - CPU is Pentium II at 267MHz. Peripheral devices are
Keyboard, Mouse (both PS/2), PCI soundcard, PCI USB 2.0 Host
Controller, ISA Conexant Modem.

But where do I find details of the PSU?

 

[Mistoffolees]

Cheers, guys!

Bill, I’m on a desktop. Display adapter is ATI Technologies 3D RAGE
PRO PCI. Can’t say whether my BIOS is current – probably not - but the
Restart was working OK up to a couple of weeks ago, then it took a
dive.

Mistoffolees - CPU is Pentium II at 267MHz. Peripheral devices are
Keyboard, Mouse (both PS/2), PCI soundcard, PCI USB 2.0 Host
Controller, ISA Conexant Modem.

But where do I find details of the PSU?

A system like this requires about 300 Watts and the power
capacity of the PSU is found on the back of the computer,
with the Power Supply Unit. Given the age of the computer,
do some internal maintenance, such as removing all of the
dust and lint that has accumulated, re-insert the boards
and connectors (incl. power), etc. This might return some
efficiency to the power supply, which does deteriorate with
age. And while looking around the motherboard, check for any
burned or discolored electronic components, viz., resistors,
capacitors, etc.

 

[Trevor Midgley]

Hi guys -

Sorry to have been a pain, but problem solved.

I ran Hyperterminal and found that my modem was duff.

Uninstalled the modem from Device Manager, physically removed it from
the box, and hey presto, Restart is back!

Thanks for your thoughts and time. All's well that ends well...