Laptop issue restarting on its own

[jer18]

I have a Tecra A7-S712 having issues - while running, the user may walk away, and it will suddenly begin booting down and is becoming more frequent. There are no errors or warnings that show (except the 'End Now' boxes on closing programs) and nothing is being recorded in the System event viewer log as far as errors are concerned. I've ran A/V, spyware scans, cCleaner on this machine and it seems clean. Any ideas?

There was one error recently which was about NMI Parity Check memory error. Not sure if this relates.

 

[goombawaho]

Do all the normal things:

1. Malware scan using Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
2. Memmory test
3. Hard drive test using manufacturer's utility
4 Run an SFC /scannow

Report back. I don't think it's power related unless it would just shut off - bam, powered off.

 

[jer18]

Thanks will run these shortly!
Also I discoved the HDD is TOSHIBA MK8032GSX. In search of a HDD test I discovered Toshiba does not provide diagnostic tools for hard drives, currently.

 

[jer18]

Thanks will run these shortly!
Also I discovered the HDD is TOSHIBA MK8032GSX. In search of a HDD test I discovered Toshiba does not provide diagnostic tools for hard drives, currently.

 

[jer18]

Thanks will run these shortly!
I learned the HDD is TOSHIBA MK8032GSX. In search of a HDD test I discovered Toshiba does not provide diagnostic tools for hard drives, currently.

 

[jer18]

Aha, internet was being delayed here. Sorry for duplicates!

 

[jer18]

Registry Data Items Infected:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\StartMenuLogOff (Hijack.StartMenu) -> Bad: (1) Good: (0) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

I think this was it..

 

[jer18]

I was informed the laptop rebooted again.

 

[goombawaho]

Registry Data Items Infected:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\StartMenuLogOff (Hijack.StartMenu) -> Bad: (1) Good: (0) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

That is basically a false alarm and NOT any malware.

You are right - Toshiba drives don't have any downloadable diagnostic software (one reason I don't like them). You have to use the built-in diagnostic tool on the laptop itself. Look for an option during bootup (press FX key) or within the BIOS to test the hard drive.

Here's a wild idea. Start the laptop, go into the BIOS and let it sit there overnight to see if the laptop reboots. If it's still at the BIOS screen in the morning, maybe it's something within windows.

You can also download the Ultimate Boot CD and boot up to it and run some motherboard, processor, video, and memory tests.

The problem has to be hardware or software, we just have to figure out which direction to go in.

 

[linney]

Is there any Bios Update available for this machine?

Have you tried setting the Bios to the Safe Default setting?

Does removing the battery, and then holding the Power Button down for a Minute, before putting the battery back, help?

Have you looked at this old XP "manual" in case it offers any clues?

WINDOWS XP SHUTDOWN & RESTART TROUBLESHOOTING

http://www.aumha.org/a/shtdwnxp.htm

What "Wake On" Events might this machine have set?

This XP Thread will give you some things to look for.

Computer restarts after shutdown
thread779-998912:

 

[jer18]

With the Ultimate Boot CD - I thought I did this correctly but its not booting. I've loaded the boot menu and selected CD. What files should be in the root directory on the CD?

 

[goombawaho]

boot
custom
dosapps
images
isolinux
menus
syslinux
tools
website
autorun.inf
boot.catalog
ubcd.ico

 

[jer18]

thanks.. that's what i have..

 

[goombawaho]

Sounds like you have big problems if it won't boot from a CD. Do you hear it spooling up the CD after you select CD as the boot choice???

Just for kicks, try an XP or Vista disc just to see if it will boot from ANY media.

If not, you need professional help to get a final diagnosis.

 

[jer18]

Looks like the activity light blinks on the drive.. I've tested in my laptop also. Perhaps the files were corrupt from my download source. Wont boot on any PC.

 

[goombawaho]

Yep - it should boot up in about 5 seconds to a menu. It's really quick. Do it again until you get it so that it will boot on another "healthy" pc.

 

[jer18]

Updated bios ran memory and hard drive test. All pass so far.. Looking for motherboard test now.

 

[linney]

Are there any Scheduled Tasks, or scripts etc. running that may involve Shutdown.exe?

Have you tried turning off the Automatic Restart option so it will just halt at the fault and display the full Stop Error and blue screen.

Right-click My Computer, and then click Properties .
On the Advanced tab, click Settings under Startup and Recovery .
Click to clear the Automatically restart check box under System failure, and then click OK. The error message on a blue screen should remain on the screen so you can record the error information.

There is also a Safe Mode screen option to turn off automatic restarts.

Look again in the System or Application folder of the Event Viewer. Check any "Information" line that mentions "savedump" and you should find reference to "recovered from a bug check". This is the Stop Error that caused your problem.

 

[jer18]

Aha, I believe it is a LogMeIn script. Its noted in the Application log of the Event Viewer Event ID 501. I'll contact them - we have a paid account.