Vista - Randomly restarting

My computer will shutdown improperly during the night. I thought it was the automatic updates, but I checked the update center and it says nothing has been done.

Sometimes, when it is sleeping and I try to start it back up, it will also shutdown for no apparent reason.

Appreciate any help.

I have a similar problem, the computer will come out of standby without any
input from me, it's really annoying!! Also another reason for your problem
may be that vista doesn't retain your power preferences properly, for
instance I changed the power button on the start menu from standby to
shutdown and vista keeps changing the button back to standby, it also does it
with the physical power button too!

In short the power / shutdown settings are screwed up, yet another vista bug!

wind268593 wrote:
Random shutdowns are most often caused by failing hardware. In your case, I
would start the troubleshooting with the hardware and then the drivers.

Hardware troubleshooting
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/...ardware_Tshoot

Drivers - Never get drivers from Windows Update. Get them from:

1. The device mftr.'s website; OR
2. The motherboard mftr.'s website if hardware is onboard; OR
3. The OEM's website for your specific machine if you have an OEM computer
(HP, Dell, Sony, etc.).

Read the installation instructions on the website where you get the drivers.

To find out what hardware is in your computer:

1. Read any documentation you got when you bought the computer.
2. If the computer is OEM, go to the OEM's website for your specific model
machine and look at the specs (you'll be there to get the drivers anyway)
3. Download, install and run a free system inventory program like Belarc
Advisor or System Information for Windows.

http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html - Belarc Advisor
http://www.gtopala.com/ - System Information for Windows

Standard caveat: If troubleshooting the issue is too difficult - and there
is absolutely no shame in admitting this isn't your cup of tea - take the
machine to a computer repair shop. This will not be your local
BigComputerStore/GeekSquad type of place. Get recommendations from family,
friends, colleagues.

Malke
--
MS-MVP
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
Don't Panic!

check the EVENT logs for problems .

or control panel Problems Reports.





mikeyhsd@xxxxxx



"wind268593" <wind268593.34mbw3@xxxxxx-mx.forums.net> wrote in message news:wind268593.34mbw3@xxxxxx-mx.forums.net...

My computer will shutdown improperly during the night. I thought it was
the automatic updates, but I checked the update center and it says
nothing has been done.

Sometimes, when it is sleeping and I try to start it back up, it will
also shutdown for no apparent reason.

Appreciate any help.


--
wind268593

How do I get Control Panel Reports?

Okay. I looked at the error report and it said there was an unreported error with my video hardware. I sent the report and it now says that a solution is available, but I can't see where it says what the solution is. Can you help me find this?

wind268593 wrote:
Update the drivers for video card. See my previous post for information
about drivers.

If updating the drivers doesn't help then you probably have a failing video
card. If this is an OEM machine, contact the OEM's tech support for
repair/replacement. If this is a generic/home-built machine, uninstall the
current video card and swap it out for a known-working one.

If you can't do this work yourself - and there's no shame in admitting this
isn't your cup of tea - take the machine to a local professional (not a
BigComputerStore/GeekSquad type of place).

Malke
--
MS-MVP
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
Don't Panic!