win xp restart problems

[jdev51]

just getting my new build up and running and have installed win xp pro. when i install something that tells me to restart the computer - the computer shuts down but does not restart. everything else seems to be fine - any suggestions on how to fix this?

[GaryRouth]

Hi jdev51

Since this is a new build, here's a quick check for you - look to see if ACPI is enabled = look in Device Manager, and see if ACPI is mentioned in the categories "Computer" and "System Devices". It's unusual for it not to be enabled during the install, but it's worth a quick check. --- If it turns out that ACPI isn't enabled, it's best to run a clean install of Windows XP = but first you'll need to look in your motherboard's Bios Setup screens under the Power Management menus, and look for an item the mentions Pnp OS and/or ACPI (you'll want a Yes or Enabled for these). Once ACPI is enabled in the Bios, you can try the clean install again.

If it turns out that it's not an ACPI issue, check at the Abit website to see if there are any Bios updates for your motherboard, or any issues with your model.

And you can look through aumha.org's many Shutdown/Restart troubleshooting resources, to see if anything there helps http://www.aumha.org/win5/a/shtdwnxp.htm

Best of luck
. . . Gary

P.S. - Just to make sure = when you select "Restart", does the machine shutdown as if a normal "Shutdown" had been selected, or does it seem to hang? (and then have to be shutdown by pressing the Power button for a few seconds)?

P.S.#2 - Hmm - one more thing: if your motherboard's Bios has an option such as "Bios Antivirus" (has been called Bios Shield, Vshield, Bios Protection...the wording varies) --- disable it during the installation of XP, then re-enable it after the system has proved to have installed OK.

[jdev51]

Thanks for the help Gary


I checked the Power Management options and there are 2 options under ACPI - S3 (Suspend-to-
RAM) which is the default and S1 (PowerOn-Suspend). Under that line is the following:
'- Resume by USB from S3' and that is enabled. The manual is very vague on these options.

When it is requested that I restart my computer and installing software or updates, it does not shutdown - I have to power off, but if I select the Restart option from the Start menu, it shutdowns and restarts normally.

My motheboard does not have an antivirus option.

Joe

[GaryRouth]

Hi again -

It does sound like ACPI is enabled in your Bios. Were you able to check in Device Manager to double-check for ACPI under the "Computer" and "System Devices" categories? [Start/Control Panel/System/Hardware/Device Manager --- or under 'Category' view: Start/Control Panel/Performance and Maintenance/System/Hardware/Device Manager]

It's clear that the system hangs up when asked to restart by software installations. But when you say that when you select Restart from the Start/Shutdown/Restart menus, "it shuts down normally" --- does it only just shutdown, or does it both shutdown & then restart (like it should, since you've selected "Restart")?

Bios settings are pretty critical during an installation, and for Power Management to work OK. Another thing you could check is the website of your motherboard's manufacturer -- to see if your model board has any bios-related issues [which might be fixable by a bios update].

To check for software related issues, take a look in the Event Viewer in Administrative Tools (in Control Panel, if you don't see it on your All Programs menu) --- especially for any errors listed at those times when the system wouldn't shut down normally. Hopefully, that might yield a clue.

I don't have my notes with me at the moment, and I'm just about to step out for a bit - but I'll check back a little later & will be on my own computer then. In the meantime, you could look through the aumha material to see if any of it sounds like your situation.
. . . Gary