[Space Cowboy]

I've always been a softy for fixin' up old computers for various community service organizations and am alittle short on time. So now that they are lining up I thought I might start a thread for questions on various types of machines and try and save myself some time by tapping into your diverse knowledge.. So here goes

Compaq Presario .. Starts up on its own in the middle of the night

I went into the bios for a wake on lan or whatever but didn't find anything yet. I did set the bios back to default.

Idea's ??

Thanks

This one is for "Project Unity For Life"

[Pistoff]

Originally Posted by Space Cowboy

Compaq Presario .. Starts up on its own in the middle of the night
I went into the bios for a wake on lan or whatever but didn't find anything yet. I did set the bios back to default.
Idea's ??

In it's past life, was it employed on third shift?
call an exorcist
What OS is the beast running

Several things can cause this:

(1) Windows can automatically download updates, install them, and reboot your computer if you leave it alone long enough. You probably are not having this issue, as it doesn't happen very often. (or does it)

(2) Windows can be configured to restart after loss of power (auto restart), but this shouldn't occur when the software is handling a normal shutdown request. Go find the setting for what Windows should do when power momentary disrupted.

(3) In the Power Options tab of the Display Properties window, make sure hibernation is not selected. If it is, your machine might not support it. AKA 'APM Management'.

(4) In the System folder, select the Advanced tab, then Startup and Recovery "settings" button. Look at the selections under System Failure. If "automatically restart" is selected, then deselect it. I also recommend you check the system event log(s) to see what Windows is recording as events during the shutdown / reboot process. You probably have some issue, maybe even a driver problem, that causes Windows to think it should automatically restart.

I hope this helps even by accident

[Space Cowboy]

Thanks Pist .. I turned off the hibernation option. This computer gives me the "It's now safe to shut down" message so it must be a oldie ..

I'll leave it for awhile and move onto the next.

A HP 734n that belongs to the father of a child with Autism .. He himself has a mental disability and wants me to try and make it more user friendly and do a memory upgrade.

I'm just really tired

[Pistoff]

I hope that the problem has been resolved by doing such. As posted in your last statement:

Originally Posted by Space Cowboy

I've always been a softy for fixin' up old computers for various community service organizations

I also do charitable donations including the " fixin' up old computers " for services like Families In Crisis, the local Animal Shelter, Meals on Wheels etc..

[Space Cowboy]

Oh crud .. it turned itself back on AGAIN .. Whata strange PC

[Pistoff]

DANG !!!
Like a sucker - I thought we had it licked
No pun intended Dotty999

[norton850]

Just a general suggestion. These are really Hardware questions. That would be the best place to post them. Also what's the model on the Presario?

[Space Cowboy]

I'm back to suspecting the internet connection. When I unplug the ethernet cable it stays off. I went into the bios and turned off the Lan but it is still doing it

Compaq Presario 5695

[Knotbored]

Originally Posted by Space Cowboy

I'll leave it for awhile and move onto the next.

A HP 734n that belongs to the father of a child with Autism .. He himself has a mental disability and wants me to try and make it more user friendly and do a memory upgrade.

I'm just really tired

------------
http://www.greyolltwit.com/
This guy (a programer exceptional) has a son with ADHD and has made many great and sometimes educational games. I downloaded several when they were freeware, he now has an inexpensive disk and a registration type site. Read the paragraph half way down his page-explains all.

[gurutech]

Originally Posted by Space Cowboy

A HP 734n that belongs to the father of a child with Autism .. He himself has a mental disability and wants me to try and make it more user friendly and do a memory upgrade.

I'm just really tired

You doing the memory upgrade on the PC or the guy with the disability?