Windows shuts down, Computer stays on

[CtChile]

My Issue:

I shut down windows 7, and it seems to, but the computer fans / lights / drives /Ram all still have power. I've read through the posts and it seems there were some interesting ideas back in 09 on how to fix it, I tried searching my power options and making sure everything was set properly, etc. I even re-flashed my bios. I didn't make any major changes like add new hardware / software, only some windows updates that I've now rolled-back. Did anyone actually resolve this issue? It looks like one or two people just had to adjust a power setting, but that does not seem to be my issue. I don't want to re-install windows because I've been reading other forums where people have tried that and it didn't fix anything...

My rig:

Windows 7 64 Pro
Asus M4A79XTD EVO
AMD Althlon II x 3 435
4.0 Gigs Crucial Ram (1600)
WD Caviar .5 tb drive
LG Combo drive
Mouse / Keyboard through a starview KVM switch (swap from work and home pc's)

 

[SlasherIT]

Hmmm... I'm not sure if this is the fault of Windows or not. To found out if it is or not, could you please do the following.

1. Download Ubuntu 11.04 iso image. Download | Ubuntu The link gives you instructions on how to burn the iso to a CD with Windows 7. Download the 64 bit version of Ubuntu.

2. Burn the iso to a CD, and keep the CD in the disk drive.

3. Shut down from Windows. When Windows 7 appears to be shut off, but the power of the computer is still on, just pull the plug to disconnect the power.

4. Plug the power back on, turn on the computer.

5. Open the BIOS and make sure that the computer will boot off the CD.

6. Boot Ubuntu from the Live CD and it will load files a bit. It will then come with a screen giving two options. One saying something like Try Ubuntu, and the other Install Ubuntu. Just select Try Ubuntu. Wait for it to load to the desktop. Once you are in the desktop, shut off the computer from Ubuntu. You can do so from the very top right corner of the screen. Once Ubuntu shuts off, check to see if the computer power is still on or is off. Report back here when you have done so.

 

[CtChile]

Thanks! I saw where you were going with that and used a disk I already had laying around with KNOPPIX on it, and booted to linux, and shut down... same problem. So thank you, now it seems like I need to try to figure out what hardware issue I am having... thoughts?

 

[CreepinJesus]

BIOS power settings perhaps? I don't know much about those, I'm afraid, but I believe you can set various options for the different power states (S0-5). May be worth having a nose round in the BIOS or do some research.

 

[CtChile]

I've been running this machine for over a year, and this just started a few days ago. Seems more like a failure of some kind. I already re-flashed the BIOS so it seems that since I didn't have to do anything special the first time around, that a BIOS setting, while it would be a convenient fix, seems unlikely. Anyone ever heard of a power-supply causing issues like this?

 

[SlasherIT]

Hmmm it could have to do with something with the PSU. I was wondering, do you have an old desktop or something like that?

 

[CtChile]

The desktop is a year old, built it myself. The only thing I borrowed from an older machine is the coolermaster 500w psu, which is probably about 4 years old now. I've been disconnecting peripherals / fans / cards to try to troubleshoot. So far no luck

 

[SlasherIT]

Can you put the PSU back into the old computer and see if the old computer will have the same problem or not?

 

[CtChile]

No, that would be cool though. Maybe I'll abuse a computer at the office.

Thanks for all the help.

 

[SlasherIT]

Lolno prob. Just test the PSU on another computer and see if you get the same issue or not. I wouldn't use an office computer, depending on how high in rank you are in your job, messing with business computers could get you into serious trouble from your boss (implying if you have one).

 

[AlxSonyc]

Were you able to fix this issue?

I am having the same problem now. When I press shut down then the computer does not shut down entirely: the monitor is put to stand by and the computer is irresponsive but the case light and the fan stay on and the PC still takes 45W from the wall-socket as usual. It is very difficult to trace down the source of the problem since this issue occurs occasionally only.

This is a brand new desktop PC (most of the components) with freshly installed Windows 7. Hence I do not believe this issue is related to the installed software or virus.

I upgraded my old P4 rig to i5:
- CPU: 2400s i5
- Mob: Asus z68p-le
- RAM: Kingston 1600 2 GB x2

I only kept the case and the PSU (Chieftec) from my old system.

I would appreciate any help.

 

[SlasherIT]

Try to do the steps that the OP did, using Ubuntu, switching PSU onto another computer, ect. You'll find the posts on the first page.

 

[AlxSonyc]

Thank you SlasherIT! I followed your advice and created an ubuntu boot disk.

Since I could not reproduce the issue with linux I concluded that there is shorcommings in my windows 7 installation. I installed another instance of windows 7 and the problem has just disappeared.

 

[HammerHead]

Too Simple To Be True

This might help, but its probably too easy.

Have you checked your lan settings. Its worth a shot.
Device Manager --> Network Adapters --> (expand and select an adapter) -- (double click for properties) --> (select advanced tab). There are a couple of settings that will affect your shut down.
For instance:
Enegery star: mine is enabled but you could temporarily disable and try
Wake on shutdown: mine is set to on, once again you can temp change it
Wakeup capablities: I have this set to magic packet because I have a network.

I fixed one that had an Asus board that was doing the same thing and tweaking those settings fixed it. You probably haven't changed any of them. But in this digital world things have a way of changing on their own. If you have dual lans disable the one you are not using. If you are using both the both will have to be tweaked.

 

[AlxSonyc]

Thank you HammerHead that you compiled a list of all issues you had faced!

I have not had any trouble yet with shut down since I had reinstalled a new OS and all the drivers which was included with my motherboard. Last time I did not install USB 3.0 driver which might have caused the problem, too.

If I bump into something again I will experience with the settings you suggested.

 

[AddRAM]

Now, did you make a seperate partition you can store a disk image on ?
Or seperate harddrive etc. ?

 

[AlxSonyc]

Do you mean the image of the Ubuntu?

 

[singy]

i had the same prob ,,i found out my ram was on its way out ,got 2 new ones ,it fix the prob ,hope it helps somehow ,,have your ram checked out