Help! My laptop can't turn off!

[isaiahk9]

Like the title explains, I currently have a laptop, where 80% of all my computing is done. A problem is that the laptop cannot be turned off with the form that one usually uses - Start, Shut down. The only way tot turn it off is to hold down the power button until it turns off, and that is not good for possibilities of data loss, decrease in computer's performance and the fact that every time the computer is turned on again, one must go through the lengthy disk checking. What I mean by not turning off is that when the computer is shut down, it merely restarts itself again.
I've tried restoring my computer, only to realize that doing so only would mean the permanent loss of important programs.
So, remembering that compsci is full of intelligent people with computer experience, I was wondering if anybody could solve my dilema. Thanx

[btiffin]

maybe...

Get into the BIOS and see it there is something like an "auto restart on power fail" option or setting.

Cheers,
Brian

[isaiahk9]

how do I get into the BIOS? I've done it before, but I cannot remember how. . .

[md]

why does start->shutdown not work? What happens when you try it?

[isaiahk9]

I already explained, but let me repeat - when you try to go Start -> shutdown, the computer will turn off after saving settings and everything, but then immediately boot itself back up again in less than a second.

[BigBear]

Well when your computer is off right before it turns itself on is the time to use the power button to power it off.
Your data is saved and because it hasn't loaded anything it won't have to do a scandisk or anything.

Not a soluion reallly just better than turning it off from windows.

[iluvchairs112]

try restart instead of shut down?
or any of the other possible "shut down" options like suspend, hibernate, etc.

[isaiahk9]

BigBear - the computer is only shut off for less tha half a second, while holding the power button to shut it off manually takes 2 - 3 seconds.
iluvchairs - tried all of those, on both user names.

So, how do I access the BIOS? and my power cord got bent recently, but I don't think that's it because the laptop still gets power, and the glitch exists when unplugged.

[OneOffDriveByPoster]

Try holding the Ctrl key while Windows is shutting down. That should hold up the boot with a boot menu. You can turn off at that time.

[isaiahk9]

thanx.
but . . .

can anybody think of a permanent solution to fix this?

[btiffin]

Getting to BIOS setting screen;

If you watch closely during power-up the system should tell you.

During power-up...

Shift Insert is common...
F1, Alt-F1, F10, F11, Ctrl-Alt-Insert
D, B, ...

Varies by manufacturer. I've seen a few and they are details I figure out then forget until required to figure it out again the next time.

Google your machine type and "bios settings" ... should lead to a page with the keys required.

Cheers

[isaiahk9]

I got to the BIOS settings, but unfortunately there were no answers to be found - I checked every setting, ran the 2 long tests, and nothing.

[Insectoid]

It's a long shot, but perhaps you got some virus that swapped out the shutdown code on the button for the restart code? Try shutting down manually (i.e. type the shudown code int command prompt).

Also, when the computer is booting up, it should shut down instantly when you hit the power button. This only works during the few seconds at the beginning of boot, before windows initializes. At least on my computer that happens.

[Tony]

Something to try -- boot into Linux (LiveCD) and shut down from there.

If that works -- the problem is somewhere in your copy of Windows.

If that doesn't work (if it also restarts) -- chances are it's a hardware issue.

[isaiahk9]

insectoid your guess of a virus might not be far off, as this problem has only begun in the last couple weeks

Tony, from your synopsis, it's a hardware issue.
So now what? would I have to see a computer technician to fix this?