Computer refuses to shut down and then BSOD's on me if I let it run.

I'll get someone to take a look at it. By all rules I know of, it should not be valid.

It's pretty simple. It is not the software, it is your use of it. You have an OEM System Builder's License. As such, what that means is it is a valid key on the first computer it is installed on, but you cannot install it on any other computer. When you installed it before, it is tied to that computer. When you moved the installation to your new build, that makes the Operating System not legal. Not because the license is bad, but because that license is tied to the first computer it is installed on. When you moved it to a new computer, it should not activate without a hacker's exploit. That is the reason the System Builder's Licenses are cheaper than the Retail Versions. Retail versions can be moved to a new computer. OEM versions cannot be.

Zibeltor said:

Well, my understanding was that it didn't affect the Windows shutdown timing really. It just decreased the amount of time that Windows would wait before it automatically closed running programs. I don't/didn't see how that would force Windows to automatically restart sometimes intermittently and sometimes chronically. And no, I probably didn't do a clean install the first time, although it was several years ago and I had a more computer-savvy friend helping me, so it's possible. I'm guessing there's no easy way to restore registry settings to default? If I found the guide/setting I tried to tweak, would that be helpful?

I am just going by this post you made. You said you didn't do a clean install. That means this install must have been installed on another computer and you just moved it to the new computer. Plus, if you bought the OS from Newegg, you should have the DVD. Your Original Install date is before your Motherboard was released.

Oh, no, I'm sorry! I misunderstood when you asked if I had done a clean install--I thought you were referring to some optional check box that I should have ticked off during the installation process (like when I had to do a clean install of the Nvidia drivers). But yes, I was the one who pulled the packaging off the DVD box and put the DVD in there myself, so yes, it was a clean install in that sense. Like I said, I bought the DVD box three years ago and it's just been lost since (in the course of several moves across different states). EDIT: When you said "I take it you didn't do a clean install", I thought you were assuming that because of how un-savvy I am (which would have been a safe assumption), not because you assumed I was cheap and/or a thief.... I'm not sure how the original install date is before the motherboard was released (or what that even means exactly), but I've attached the receipt that should show that I purchased both Windows 7 and the motherboard at the same time. This happened the last time I came and posted a thread too--because the problem wasn't immediately solvable and I'm not as computer savvy as some, they just seem to assume that I did illegal stuff, which seems kind of unhelpful. If there's any other or additional way I can verify my build as being above board to the forum, just please let me know.

I was not concerned that the License itself was legal or not. I was only concerned about the OEM status of the install. I don't know what your problem is. It is in the BIOS or the OS. Somehow you probably have wake up events enabled and some program is not closing completely. It may very well have to do with your 'tweaking' in the registry. You should stay out of the registry unless you know exactly what you are doing and the ramifications of doing it. But, the fact that it is happening is good cause to question the system files being altered. It is not a common thing that happens in most cases.

Try typing power into the search box and selecting power options. Select Balanced as your power setting and leave it at defaults. Click 'change plan settings, then click change advanced power settings. At the bottom click restore defaults. See if that makes a difference in your shut down.

Here's what I would like to do. But, first make a system repair disk now, even if you have made one before, and be aware there is some risk in this. It may cause you to need a clean install. We take every precaution to keep that from happening.

Create a restore point before beginning. The link is below to tell you how to do that.

   Warning

Be sure to create a System Restore point before proceeding further System Restore Point - Create

Driver Verifier - Enable and Disable
Run Driver Verifier for 24 hours or the occurrence of the next crash, whichever is earlier.

   Information

What is Driver Verifier:
It puts stress on the drivers, and tries to make the faulty driver crash the computer. It is designed this way, to attempt to trap the offending driver.

What you will notice:
It will tend to make the computer rather slow and sluggish because the drivers are being stressed.

   Warning

Before enabling DV, make sure you have created a system restore point before enabling Driver Verifier. make a System Restore Point manually before enabling DV.

   Tip

• If you fail to get on the Desktop because of DV, Boot into Advanced Boot Options > Safe mode. Disable DV there. Now boot normally again, and try following the instruction of enabling DV again.
• If you cannot boot in Safe mode, do a System Restore to a point you made earlier.

Let us know the results, with the subsequent crash dumps, if any.