Computer will not stay on

[mejohnjr]

Dell Dimension 8400
Windows XP Pro SP2

My problem started yesterday when I was trying to set up a laptop to share a printer with the desktop. I never did get it configured correctly so I abandoned the project. I rebooted the desktop and when it loaded the start-up programs it automatically went to log-off and shutdown the computer. Now it happens every time I boot up. I went to msconfig and unchecked all the start-up programs but it still did the same thing. I did a diagnostic start-up and it stayed on but my network connections would not work. It will start-up in safe-mode OK but my diagnostic programs like Norton's Utilities will not work.
System Restore is not an option because I shut that off months ago. I have never got satisfactory results with System Restore.
The only error message I received was from my Intelli-eye mouse driver not loading properly. I replaced the mouse with a ps2 mouse but that did not help.
I can not get it to stay on long enough to see what the problem is.
There is no spy-ware or viruses on it. I keep it squeaky clean. The only other program I've installed lately is Remote Administrator, so I can connect to it from my laptop.

[Reaper]

for interest sake is it wirless or cat?

[mejohnjr]

The Dell is hooked up with a cat 5 cable and the laptop is wireless.
I have a wireless router.

[Reaper]

couldnt be as simple as pulling the cat 5 for lan/net free boot, normal shutdown,? Just that at some lans i hold, sometimes it struggles to boot while connected to the lan after its had some bsod episode.

[mejohnjr]

The computer is off right now. I will try to do as you suggested when I get home. Would it matter if I unplugged it before I booted up?

[Reaper]

Yes we diconnect prior to boot. As i said its only a suggestion,,but it cant hurt.

[mejohnjr]

When I unplug the cat 5 cable from it and reboot it will stay on. When I try to boot up with the cat 5 cable plugged in it goes through a normal start up and then shuts down. After I get it running and plug the cable in I get a network connection but I can't reboot with it in. I think there is something wrong with the nic card.
What can I check to see if this is the problem?

[doubledragon5]

Boot up in safe mode right click on my computer>properties>Advance>Start-up and recovery>System Failuer> uncheck Automatically rerstart.. This should prevent it from rebooting until you figure out what you did wrong.. My suggetion is undo what you did and see it it changes anything.

[Reaper]

ok,,thats some good news,,its down to the network,,You can do as doubledragon suggest,,you could also do what we have in the past,,which is to remove any connections that are currently on your system for the network,,option one would be reset your bios,,option 2 is try the nic card in another pci slot,,eliminating any possiable conflicts. Eliminate the card totaly by trying it in another machine,,,or run down the road naked screaming you head off.!...hahahewhhe

[mejohnjr]

Originally Posted by Reaper ok,,thats some good news,,its down to the network,,You can do as doubledragon suggest,,you could also do what we have in the past,,which is to remove any connections that are currently on your system for the network,,option one would be reset your bios,,option 2 is try the nic card in another pci slot,,eliminating any possiable conflicts. Eliminate the card totaly by trying it in another machine,,,or run down the road naked screaming you head off.!...hahahewhhe

From Dell;
I can understand your concern and request you to please check the system
setup program and make sure that NIC controller is On w/ PXE.

http://support.dell.com/support/edo...p.htm#wp1052569

If issue still persist then kindly inform me regarding that I will
arrange for the appropriate warranty service for Motherboard.


NIC Controller
You can set the NIC to On (default), Off, or On w/ PXE. When the On w/ PXE setting is active (available only for the future boot process), the computer prompts the user to press Control>Alt>B. Pressing this key combination causes a menu to display that allows you to select a method for booting from a network server. If a boot routine is not available from the network server, the computer attempts to boot from the next device in the boot sequence list.


The nic card is built into the motherboard. I changed the cmos setting to On w/PXE, as Dell instucted and got the same results. At this point I have to assume something has gone wrong with the motherboard.

I don't know if formatting and reinstalling windows would fix this problem. Like I said, everything works fine if I boot up with the cable unplugged.

[mejohnjr]

I tried disabling the internal nic card, installed another card and got the same results. Shuts down if booted up with cable in.

[Reaper]

well it looks as if they may be right suggesting the mb/,,sorry i cant be of any other help,,,maybe you need a network guru,,there a few floating around here,,best of luck..