Windows 7: Unexpected shutdown after period of inactivity

I'm hoping someone could give me some pointers on how to go about investigating my PC switching itself off after approximately 10 minutes of inactivity (not sleeping, as Windows is configured to do after 30 mins).

The PC is used as a media centre with xbmc running as the frontend.

If I leave the computer unattended whilst in XBMC. the computer will switch off after approximately 10 mins. I haven't (yet) checked if it happens outside of XBMC, though I suspect it will.

The eventviewer shows:

> The previous system shutdown at <time> on <date> was unexpected.


But nothing else of significance.



The reason I'm convinced this is software related is because the shutdown always occurs around about 10 mins after leaving the PC alone, with no input. I havent timed it precisely, but will do so when I next get a chance.

If I am using the PC in any way, or watching a film, it does *not* shutdown. There are no errors apart from that in the eventviewer log - i.e. no boot menu when you power back on to recommend safe mode, no message on starting windows to say it shutdown unexpectedly. I havent actually observed the shutdown myself yet, so Im not sure if there is a bluescreen or not.

Any tips or advice on how to go about investigating the cause of this ?

Hello fezster, welcome to SF!

It sounds like it is caused by inconsistent energy- or, powersettings.

You need to check both the current scheme in advanced energy settings and the settings of individual devices in the Devices screen. The Powermanagement options of your lan for example but also usb etc...


For us to see what is really going on, please follow http://www.sevenforums.com/crashes-d...tructions.html

Thanks for the reply.

I do not believe there are any dump files to post, but I will check tonight, and also post what is required from the link you gave.

The power settings are on balanced, and I have tried putting both "turn off display" and "put computer to sleep" to Never, and the computer still shuts down.

Am I right in saying that if Windows was causing the shutdown, the Eventviewer would have something in the log to indicate this ? And what if another application was causing the shutdown (is this possible ? or does it have to request a shutdown through windows ?), would that be shown in the log ?

I'm reluctant to believe it's hardware because if Im using the PC, it does not shutdown. Always after a period of ~ 10 mins of inactivity.

Hi Fezster,

Lets have a look at your current Power Plan Settings. Some settings can be configured to turn the PC off after a nominated period of inactivity. Please run the following from an elevated command prompt:

powercfg -energy

This performs an audit of your energy usage, and posts a log here :

C:\Windows\system32\energy-report.html

Rename the HTML file to .TXT and then upload that here as an attachement, or alternatively simply copy and paste the text into a new reply.

Could you also check in your BIOS to see if there might be some setting there that could be causing the powering off?

Regards,
Golden

Regretfully there is quite a number of possible reasons for unwanted shutdowns/sleep/hibernate/freeze modes.

First thing too check is what it really is. Sometimes a freeze looks like a shutdown...

Do your keyboard (maybe also: mouse) leds turn off? Do all fans and other noise in the system stop?

I've seen examples where a simple USB smartcard reader caused freezes that looked like a shutdown... Disable the smartcard reader and there is no problem + nothing in event viewer (other than the incorrect powerdown).

Ahh. Good point about the checking of the keyboard and LED's. Good suggestion.

Thanks Golden, I will check this tonight and post up the results.

Mvdb - Re keyboard and mouse - unfortunately, as it is used as a media centre, there is no keyboard / mouse attached .. But, the PC definitely is powered off as the main power LED is off, the fans are no longer whirring inside, and I can switch it back on simply by pressing the power button (if it was still powered on, I'd have to switch it off first, usually by holding down power for 5+ seconds, and then switch it back on).

Ok, then the combi of Goldens' report and the upload should give us more info...

Done lots of messing about this evening, and turns out it is in fact XBMC causing the PC to shutdown. If I leave the PC unattended in Windows, it's fine.

I have asked this question on the xbmc forums too, but not had any luck as yet. I'm guessing this forum is no longer the right place for help, but on the offchance anyone can offer some advice, I'm posting.

Thanks for providing the assistance you have.

Glad you got it worked out