Fix error

When you running Windows XP Professional, sometimes you try to shutdown the computer and your computer may restart instead of shutting down. In this article we try to find the causes and to share the information how you can fix this problem.

We find seven basic sources of automatic reboot problems:

• Recovery settings
• Software incompatibilities, including driver issues
• BIOS problems
• Overheating
• Weak Memory Module
• Bad Power Supply
• Bad Motherboard

Recovery Settings

In Windows XP, the default setting is for the computer to reboot automatically when a fatal error occurs. If that fatal error only occurs when you’re shutting down, the system reboots automatically.

You can change these settings:

1. Right-click My Computer, and then click Properties.
2. Click the Advanced tab.
3. Under Startup and Recovery, click Settings to open the Startup and Recovery dialog box.
4. Clear the Automatically restart check box, and click OK.
5. Restart the computer.

Now when you go to shut down and a fatal error occurs, you’ll at least see it and it won’t cause an automatic reboot. You still have to sort out what’s causing the problem, but that gets us to the next section quite nicely.

2. Software Incompatibility

The most common cause of a fatal error or automatically restart is a software or driver problem. The mechanism for troubleshooting, however, is pretty much the same for any problem on a PC. In this case the shortest way is to updating your drivers and windows.

3. BIOS Problems

If there is a problem in your BIOS, or sometimes even in the firmware for one of the other pieces of hardware installed in your machine, it could cause instability and lead to one of those automatic restarts that we talked about in the first section. Especially if the problem is in the Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) portion. These problems are much less common than they used to be in the bad old days. But it never hurts to check with your computer manufacturer to see if there’s an updated BIOS available.

4. Overheating

Accumulating dust in a computers case can cause a great deal of problems with computer systems components. Dust acts as insulation and will keep the case and all of its components hot. Dust accumulating in fans and heat sinks is the major cause of overheating. Also, check your fans if they are working. I recommend a computer case be cleaned at least every 4 – 6 months.

Cleaning Tips:
• Before you clean a computer or any component, be sure to turn the power off and unplug it from the outlet.

• Use caution when cleaning inside the computers case not to disturb any plugs or jumpers. If you do, this will make for difficult troubleshooting when you turn the computer back on.|

• Avoid spraying any type of liquid directly on to a computer component. Spray the liquid on to a cloth, then apply it to the computer component.

• Never use a house vacuum cleaner to clean the dust out of your computer case. House vacuums generate a lot of static electricity that can damage your systems components. There are portable battery operated vacuums available that are designed for use in a computer environment. It is fine to use your house vacuum to suck up the dirt and dust around your computer or even to suck the dust out of your keyboard.

• Make sure that you never get any component inside your computer wet. It is not advisable to use any cleaning liquid inside the case. You can use some canned compressed air to remove any dust from the case and case fans. Be sure to take your computer to a different location when blowing the dust out.

• Be sure to visit your computer manufactures web site to find out what cleaning solvents are recommended for cleaning your computer. I recommend just using warm water for almost any computer cleaning task. But if you need a stronger cleaning solution, be sure that it is highly diluted.

More Windows XP Shut Down and Automatic Reboot Problems

Another very good article how to fix the reboot problem you can find here