Computer turns off automatically

**lat** · September 24th, 2004, 06:02 PM

I have a problem that I cannot figure out. My computer turns off for no reason. If I don't connect anything like keyboard and mouse to it, it stays on. As soon as i connect those items and start clicking on programs, the computer turns off. My fans are cool and I don't hear any strange noise from my power supply. Any ideals?

**geoscomp** · September 25th, 2004, 09:37 AM

Are you connecting the keyboard and mouse while the computer is on? Are they usb or ps2?

**Gabriel** · September 26th, 2004, 07:17 AM

Welcome to wd forums lat,
Try connecting the keyboard and mouse While in Bios - if the computer shuts down it might be the Mainboard or the perpherials are Short circuit something.
If not I would go on the obvious Windows hell.... than the Driver replacement should come in handy

**lat** · September 29th, 2004, 04:09 PM

Originally Posted by geoscomp

Are you connecting the keyboard and mouse while the computer is on? Are they usb or ps2?

No. I connect the keyboard and mouse while the computer is off. The keyboard is PS2 and the mouse is USB.

**lat** · September 29th, 2004, 04:11 PM

Originally Posted by Gabriel

Welcome to wd forums lat,
Try connecting the keyboard and mouse While in Bios - if the computer shuts down it might be the Mainboard or the perpherials are Short circuit something.
If not I would go on the obvious Windows hell.... than the Driver replacement should come in handy

The system still shut down. I will probably have to send it in to Dell.
Of course my warranty has run out so I will probably be paying dearly.
Thanks for our help.

**TripleRLtd** · September 29th, 2004, 04:17 PM

Perhaps if you gave us more info on when it shuts down, we could help more. Don't give up yet.
Is this XP? Do you get any messages before it shuts down?

**lat** · September 30th, 2004, 06:06 PM

Originally Posted by TripleRLtd

Perhaps if you gave us more info on when it shuts down, we could help more. Don't give up yet.
Is this XP? Do you get any messages before it shuts down?

Thanks so much for your help.
I turned on my computer today with the monitor, mouse, keyboard, printer, and DSL modem connected. The system booted up to windows. I logged on. As soon as I clicked on Internet Explorer, the computer turned off. I turned the computer on again and it stayed on for 5 minutes and turned off. I didn't touch anything this time. I disconnected everything from the computer (keyboard, mouse, monitor etc..) and it stayed on. I left it like that for 3 hours. It never turned off.
I have a DELL Inspiron 2350 with XP installed. I don't get any type of messages. The computer simply turns off. Do you think it could be my memory? I have 256 MB memory.

**lat** · September 30th, 2004, 06:08 PM

Originally Posted by Gabriel

Welcome to wd forums lat,
Try connecting the keyboard and mouse While in Bios - if the computer shuts down it might be the Mainboard or the perpherials are Short circuit something.
If not I would go on the obvious Windows hell.... than the Driver replacement should come in handy

Gabriel,
I tried connecting the keyboard and mouse while in Bios and it stayed on a couple times and it turned off once.

**TripleRLtd** · September 30th, 2004, 09:41 PM

Let's try to figure out the problem one step at a time there lat. Gabe mentions "windows" hell. And that is part of it. But first, try going into the os in safe mode. Don't just let it sit there either. Do a little cleaning up while there. You know: temp files, internet cache. Also do a chkdsk. Let us know if it ever turns off by itself in safe mode. Also, it might be worth it to remove all hardware other than one stick of ram and your video card as another "test". Let us know how it goes. Btw: this is only a first step, so keep us informed and we'll give you plenty of advice and possibilities.
Good luck.

**thundarr** · October 1st, 2004, 06:27 PM

try using a ps2 mouse instead of usb, also check to see if u have a keyboard that has a lot of funky buttons .if so try a different keyboard.
look for shared irq dealing with usb,all you have to do is put an adapter on usb mouse to use ps2 ,if u have a sound blaster live sound card make sure driver says share irq.

**lat** · October 12th, 2004, 08:42 PM

Originally Posted by TripleRLtd

Let's try to figure out the problem one step at a time there lat. Gabe mentions "windows" hell. And that is part of it. But first, try going into the os in safe mode. Don't just let it sit there either. Do a little cleaning up while there. You know: temp files, internet cache. Also do a chkdsk. Let us know if it ever turns off by itself in safe mode. Also, it might be worth it to remove all hardware other than one stick of ram and your video card as another "test". Let us know how it goes. Btw: this is only a first step, so keep us informed and we'll give you plenty of advice and possibilities.
Good luck.

I booted the os in safe mode. I got to delete temp files and internet cache. I did a chkdsk, however as soon as it finished the cmd prompt window disappeared and the computer turned off after about 15 seconds. It will not stay on long enough for me to complete another chkdsk. I only have one stick of RAM (256mb). I removed the video card and it stayed on until i connected the keyboard and mouse.

**lat** · October 12th, 2004, 09:31 PM

Originally Posted by thundarr

try using a ps2 mouse instead of usb, also check to see if u have a keyboard that has a lot of funky buttons .if so try a different keyboard.
look for shared irq dealing with usb,all you have to do is put an adapter on usb mouse to use ps2 ,if u have a sound blaster live sound card make sure driver says share irq.

I will purchase an adapter tomorrow. I didn't get a chance to check the driver because the PC won't stay on long enough.

**GreenGrime** · October 13th, 2004, 08:36 AM

Can you tell us the specs of the power supply in use?

Also, I would bet that the shutdown occurs when you plug in the USB device.

Try both keyboard and mouse independently and tell us what happens.

**Compass Computers** · October 17th, 2004, 04:14 PM

Hi!

I am experiencing a similar problem on a customer's PC... they have ntl broadband, and have recently bought from ntl an Actiontec wireless networking kit comprising of one Wireless Cable/DSL router, and one USB Wireless adapter.

I inserted the CD, followed the instructions to the point where you are asked to connect the USB adapter to the computer, connected the adapter, and as soon as Windows had finished recognising the new device, the PC switched-off (not shut-down).

I have tried several times turning the PC back on, but just before the WinXP welcome screen would appear, the PC switches off again.

If I disconnect the Wireless USB adapter, the PC will boot and work as normal. If the adapter is connected after a successful boot, the computer will switch itself off again.

I tried booting in safe-mode with the adapter connected, but although Windows will boot this way, the pS/2 mouse will not move the cursor left-or right (but it will work up and down) while the adapter is connected. As soon as the adapter is unlugged, the mouse will work as normal.

I have downloaded updated drivers and software from Actiontec's site, and used safemode to update the drivers from device manager.

All this having failed, I have disabled USB2.0 support, onboard LAN, onboard Sound, and onboard Game port in the BIOS to attempt to prevent IRQ conflicts, but still the problem remains.

I have tested other USB devices in the machine, which work flawlessly, and have tried to find a similar problem with the product on forums, but have read nothing but good reviews about the device.

I have run out of ideas, and can only think that the Wireless USB adapter is faulty in some way... any ideas?

**NooNoo** · October 18th, 2004, 12:17 PM

Welcome to Windrivers Compass Computers

Does the Wireless USB adapter cause shut down on another machine? How about putting a pci usb card in there - does that cause it to shut down?