computer is restarting by itself

[dcalistrat]

I have a dell studio hybrid 140g with window 7. In the last month after I turn down the computer it restart by itself. If I turn it down again it stays off.

 

[linney]

How immediately is it restarting itself, is it off (shutdown) for any length of time, or is just like a normal restart or rebooting?

What method do you use to shutdown the machine (you're not just pressing and holding in the power button are you)?

Can you repeat this fault at every shutdown?

Does it shut down correctly from Safe Mode?

See if any other software is interfering.

Advanced startup options (including safe mode)

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Advanced-startup-options-including-safe-mode

How to troubleshoot a problem by performing a clean boot in Windows Vista or in Windows 7

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/929135

If it is restarting up after some length of time (and not immediately) this can often be caused by some "Wake On" event setting set in the Bios.

 

[BadBigBen]

also, next to Linney's post above, does the screen flash BLUE, e.g. BSOD, before it restarts?

this could be an indication of an underlying hardware or driver fault...

to see if that is the case, follow these instructions:

How To Disable the Automatic Restart on System Failure in Windows 7

http://pcsupport.about.com/od/windows7/ht/automatic-restart-windows-7.htm

if that is the case, then PLEASE note down the STOP ERROR and post it here...

Ben
"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."
How to ask a question, when posting them to a professional forum.
Only ask questions with yes/no answers if you want "yes" or "no"

 

[dcalistrat]

I shutdown the computer using start/shutdown. I also click on Force shut down (I tried also not clicking on force shutdown with same results)
The computer shutdown in about 80 seconds with the light turning off and restarts in less then a second.
If I shut it down again, it takes also 80 seconds and it does not start again.
I tried to use the computer for 15 minutes after it restarts and on shutdown it stays down.
However if i use it all day, the restart appears again.
I verified the automatic restart on system failures and it was unchecked.
I performed also a clean boot, without resolving the problem.

 

[linney]

If you press the power off button at the front of your machine (just once) does it power off and stay off?

Is this "Force Shutdown" some part of incorporated Dell Software, it is not a term I am familiar with.

Would it Shutdown from Safe Mode, you didn't say, although you did mention the Clean Boot had no effect?

Are there any Bios Updates available for this machine? You would probably get those from Dell via their web site and searching for your model. It might also be a good idea to check with Dell Support about your problem.

I wonder whether the Power Supply Unit in your machine is playing up at all?

 

[DrB0b]

The "Force Shutdown" dialog occurs when windows believes someone else is logged in or it thinks there is a program still open it will ask you if your sure you want to shut down and to do so with a "Force Shutdown"
I do agree with the above about BIOS updates and the power supply possibly being faulty. I thought I saw this earlier but, did you check to make sure you dont have Windows updates and when you're going to "Shutdown" that it hasnt defaulted to "Restart and Install updates" when you go to hit Shutdown. If your system thinks it has updates it could cause this loop, run Windows update and restart then try a shudown.

"Silence is golden, duct tape is silver...