Windows 7 - When shutting down system reboots instead

This is what helped for me;

Go into device manager, and properties of nic card - mouse - keyboard - etc., check properties for "Power Management" Uncheck allow this device to wake..
Nic card will typically have advanced settings as well such as wake on packet, etc. Try disabling those options as well as unchecking wake options for power management.
Redundant but check your bios wake on lan settings.
If that produces no-joy try this as a shortcut;
Shutdown.exe -s -t 00

Thanks Fantail; I tried the device manager route and that did nothing for me; I tried the shutdown.exe -s-t 00 and it came right back on just like always. It stays off for maybe 2-3 seconds total and then reboots. I'm not getting any BSOD or anything, but the only way to shut it all the way off is manually force by holding down the power button until it is all the way off.

Any other suggestions before I try a complete reinstall of Windows 7?

Not a solution but you could change your power buttons to log off instead of shutdown. This of course will bring up the user screen. Try the (red) shutdown button there.

well donot worry it looks like the automatic restart mode is active so what you need to do is you need to go to advance boot options through f8 and select disable automatic restart and it would enter into desktop screen

1. Click on Start and then Control Panel.
   Tip: In a hurry? Type system in the search box after clicking Start. Choose System from the list of results and then skip to Step 4.
2. Click on the System and Maintenance link.
   Note: If you're viewing the Classic View of Control Panel, you won't see this link. Simply double-click on the System icon and proceed to Step 4.
3. Click on the System link.
4. In the task pane on the left, click the Advanced system settings link.
5. Locate the Startup and Recovery area and click on the Settings button.
6. In the Startup and Recovery window, locate and uncheck the check box next to Automatically restart.
7. Click OK in the Startup and Recovery window.
8. Click OK in the System Properties window.
9. You can now close the System window.
10. From now on, when a problem causes a BSOD or another major error that halts the system, the PC will not automatically reboot. Rebooting manually will be necessary.

O.K. it's been awhile, but my problem persists. I have tried everything posted and I wasn't sure if anyone had come up with a solution. I still think this may be an emachines issue for me.

Thanks again to everyone for trying to help....

John