Windows XP turns itself off?

Elric · Mar 27th, 2007, 10:57 AM

Every once in awhile (at LEAST once per week), the XP machine that is our server spontaneously turns itself off. The other 2 machines do not have this problem.
The weirdest part? It's the only of the three machines on a Battery backup!
We just had our power go out, and the UPC started to annoyingly beep it's circuits off, I told the bossman to shutdown the server asap. He says it's already off, it turned itself off! AGAIN!
Why would this machine do such a thing, ESPECIALLY when connected to a Backup battery?

Macaholic · Mar 27th, 2007, 12:06 PM

I don't know about you, but I never have a problem with a Windows system turning itself off

(sorry.... that was a complete waste of bandwidth

Hope you get your problem solved. Maybe try here?)

TrevX · Mar 27th, 2007, 12:55 PM

	Quote:			Originally Posted by Elric
	Every once in awhile (at LEAST once per week), the XP machine that is our server spontaneously turns itself off. The other 2 machines do not have this problem. The weirdest part? It's the only of the three machines on a Battery backup! We just had our power go out, and the UPC started to annoyingly beep it's circuits off, I told the bossman to shutdown the server asap. He says it's already off, it turned itself off! AGAIN! Why would this machine do such a thing, ESPECIALLY when connected to a Backup battery?

Could be a number of reasons; Bad mobo, bad power supply, bad processor fan (not spinning fast enough causing the computer to get too hot which will cause it to shut itself down to prevent damage). Maybe its a sign? You ARE on a Mac forum, aren't you? ;-)

Trev

HowEver · Mar 27th, 2007, 01:01 PM

I'm pretty sure that turning itself off is not a bug in Windows, it's a feature.

Seriously, even when configured correctly and working 'well,' every Windows machine I've worked on will do this from time to time.

mikef · Mar 27th, 2007, 01:25 PM

Stupid question, but do you have your UPS software configured to power the server off if there's a power outage? This is an option. In fact, it's the desired behaviour for the server to shut itself down if the UPS battery is running low. Have you checked the health of your UPS(es) recently? Maybe they're reporting low batteries causing the software to shut the server down prematurely.

It is certainly NOT normal for a properly functioning XP machine to turn itself off. I've never seen it happen and I work on them every day for a living.

RunTheWorldOnMac · Mar 27th, 2007, 01:49 PM

Perhaps this is a suicide attempt...

mguertin · Mar 27th, 2007, 02:53 PM

My best guess would be hardware problems as suggested above .. power supply or motherboard.

gordguide · Mar 27th, 2007, 10:50 PM

Since it's the only machine on a UPS, look to the UPS first as a possible source of the problem. The batteries don't last forever, and neither do the parts that protect against surges (they are "sacrificial' parts; they take the hit and eventually die from the cumulative effects).

A 4-year old UPS is a candidate for a dead battery, and since they seem to "always" be there we sometimes forget how old they are. If you have bad power the useable life will reflect that and you will need to give them attention sooner rather than later.

A lot of the more popular UPSs have software that resides on the protected CPU and, basically, if it's software it can break. See if there are issues by checking blogs, email digests and the manufacturer.

Swapping in a different UPS if you must be on one, or trying it on AC power for a while if you can get away with it, would be my first attempt. Or, if the XP Computer must be protected against power failure, if the UPS can handle it, try plugging in a second XP box into the UPS and see if they both act weird all of a sudden.

You can put monitors, etc on an unprotected line if you need to find some spare current capacity. A 650 VA unit powers 2 computers with LCDs usually but maybe not CRTs.

macpablo · Mar 27th, 2007, 11:49 PM

nothing a big hammer can't fix

Monkeyman, eh? · Mar 28th, 2007, 12:14 AM

Honestly, who can say they wouldn't do the same if they were stuck in that situation.

Mar 27th, 2007, 10:57 AM	#1
Elric Honourable Citizen Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Woodstock, Ontario Posts: 1,393	Windows XP turns itself off? Every once in awhile (at LEAST once per week), the XP machine that is our server spontaneously turns itself off. The other 2 machines do not have this problem. The weirdest part? It's the only of the three machines on a Battery backup! We just had our power go out, and the UPC started to annoyingly beep it's circuits off, I told the bossman to shutdown the server asap. He says it's already off, it turned itself off! AGAIN! Why would this machine do such a thing, ESPECIALLY when connected to a Backup battery? __________________ ________________________________________________ The Sig limitations here blow chunks

Mar 27th, 2007, 12:06 PM	#2
Macaholic Honourable Citizen Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Toronto Posts: 8,754	I don't know about you, but I never have a problem with a Windows system turning itself off (sorry.... that was a complete waste of bandwidth Hope you get your problem solved. Maybe try here?) __________________ 32GB iPad WiFi. 15" MacBook Pro 2.4GHz Core2 Duo/6GB/200GB/GeForce 8600M GT 256MB GPU/DL-DVDRW/24" BenQ LCD. MacBook 2.4GHz Core2 Duo/2GB/200GB/DL-DVDRW >3TB of FW drives, 16GB iPod Touch, 8GB 5th gen Nano, Canon HV20 HD-DV cam, Kodak digicam, Canon scanner, Canon iP5400 printer, Jailbroken 8GB iPhone 3G. In memoriam: my Sawtooth "Frankenmac" with dual 1.3GHz G4/2GB/360GB striped RAID/DVDRW/ATI Radeon 9000 Pro

Mar 27th, 2007, 01:01 PM	#4
HowEver Honourable Citizen Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: GTEh Posts: 14,324	I'm pretty sure that turning itself off is not a bug in Windows, it's a feature. Seriously, even when configured correctly and working 'well,' every Windows machine I've worked on will do this from time to time. __________________ ...

Mar 27th, 2007, 01:25 PM	#5
mikef Honourable Citizen Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Newmarket, ON Posts: 1,874	Stupid question, but do you have your UPS software configured to power the server off if there's a power outage? This is an option. In fact, it's the desired behaviour for the server to shut itself down if the UPS battery is running low. Have you checked the health of your UPS(es) recently? Maybe they're reporting low batteries causing the software to shut the server down prematurely. It is certainly NOT normal for a properly functioning XP machine to turn itself off. I've never seen it happen and I work on them every day for a living. __________________ iPad WiFi 32GB MacBook Pro 15" - 2.16GHz C2D, 2GB, 320GB - home MacBook Pro 15" - Unibody 2.4GHz C2D, 4GB, 250GB - work

Mar 27th, 2007, 01:49 PM	#6
RunTheWorldOnMac Honourable Citizen Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Kanata Posts: 2,376	Perhaps this is a suicide attempt... __________________ Cheers, Scott _______________________ http://www.runtheworldonmac.com Mac Mini - 2.0GHz Intel Duo Core 2 MacBook - 2.0GHz Intel Duo Core 2 eMac - G4 700MHz iPhone 3G S 32GB - Black Apple TV 40G Time Capsule - 500G Airport Express Base Station iPod Nano Blue

Mar 27th, 2007, 02:53 PM	#7
mguertin Honourable Citizen Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Oakville, ON Posts: 5,018	My best guess would be hardware problems as suggested above .. power supply or motherboard. __________________ Toronto Pug Rescue Group www.pugalug.com Online Music Collaboration: www.musicianscollaboration.com

Mar 27th, 2007, 10:50 PM	#8
gordguide Honourable Citizen Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Saskatoon Posts: 5,202	Since it's the only machine on a UPS, look to the UPS first as a possible source of the problem. The batteries don't last forever, and neither do the parts that protect against surges (they are "sacrificial' parts; they take the hit and eventually die from the cumulative effects). A 4-year old UPS is a candidate for a dead battery, and since they seem to "always" be there we sometimes forget how old they are. If you have bad power the useable life will reflect that and you will need to give them attention sooner rather than later. A lot of the more popular UPSs have software that resides on the protected CPU and, basically, if it's software it can break. See if there are issues by checking blogs, email digests and the manufacturer. Swapping in a different UPS if you must be on one, or trying it on AC power for a while if you can get away with it, would be my first attempt. Or, if the XP Computer must be protected against power failure, if the UPS can handle it, try plugging in a second XP box into the UPS and see if they both act weird all of a sudden. You can put monitors, etc on an unprotected line if you need to find some spare current capacity. A 650 VA unit powers 2 computers with LCDs usually but maybe not CRTs. __________________ "Being an artist doesn't take much, just everything you got. Which means, of course, that as the process is giving you life, it is also bringing you closer to death. But it's no big deal. They are one and the same and cannot be avoided or denied. So when I totally embrace this process, this life/death, and abandon myself to it, I transcend all this gibberish and hang out with the gods. It seems to me that that is worth the price of admission." —Hubert Selby, Jr.

Mar 27th, 2007, 11:49 PM	#9
macpablo Full Citizen Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Campbell River Posts: 355	nothing a big hammer can't fix __________________ Apple Certified Technician ACDT, ACPT Sony, HP, & Toshiba Certified Technician

Mar 28th, 2007, 12:14 AM	#10
Monkeyman, eh? Full Citizen Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 115	Honestly, who can say they wouldn't do the same if they were stuck in that situation.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Replace Windows DVD Rom drive?	Urban_Legend	Mac & iPod Help & Troubleshooting	2	Mar 5th, 2006 08:00 PM
Palm CFO Chats Windows on Palm Devices	interact	Anything Mac	2	Aug 12th, 2005 10:14 AM
Which version of Virtual PC can I use?	MissGulch	Mac & iPod Help & Troubleshooting	11	Jul 21st, 2005 07:01 PM
Why NOT to "switch" to a Mac.	Macaholic	Anything Mac	31	Feb 21st, 2005 12:28 AM
Exposé: A scientific exploration	Macaholic	Anything Mac	6	Jun 18th, 2004 07:25 PM