[Dread Zer0]

A couple of times now, whenever i've turned on my Computer from the
Switch (Not the Computer "On" Button), my Computer automatically turns on
without me even touching the Computer On Button.

Whenever this happens, it takes me to the screen, where you can access Bios,
etc. Usually, when my Computer boots normally, it just loads to the Windows "Loading"
Screen, then goes to my desktop.

I'm not sure if this is the work of a virus or any other malicious software,
or just a couple bugs/errors on my Computer. I have also encountered a few
new random things happening to my Computer.

Again, recently, my Computer found my two Disk Drives to be New Hardware
and had to re-install them again. They have never done this before, besides
when they were first installed.

I'm thinking of doing a System Restore, but before i've decided to do that, i'm
wanting to here another opinion on the situation.

Regards,
Dread Zer0.

Edited by Dread Zer0, 29 March 2008 - 01:49 AM.

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I suspect that the BIOS in your computer is either corrupted or getting damaged. As a first step try to clear the cmo.

Try to clear the BIOS by doing this:Disconnect the power cable from the back of the computer. Open the side cover and carefully take out the cmos battery (looks like a silvery button). Keep it out for about 15 minutes. Reinstall and reboot. You will probably get a checksome error or some other message. If you do, enter BIOS and set time and date, save the new values and let the computer boot. There are computers in which other keys have to be used to enter BIOS. You can find the correct key when looking at the screen right after pressing the start button. Look for what key you have to press to enter setup.

Please report the results.

[The Skeptic]

I suspect that the BIOS in your computer is either corrupted or getting damaged. As a first step try to clear the cmo.

Try to clear the BIOS by doing this:Disconnect the power cable from the back of the computer. Open the side cover and carefully take out the cmos battery (looks like a silvery button). Keep it out for about 15 minutes. Reinstall and reboot. You will probably get a checksome error or some other message. If you do, enter BIOS and set time and date, save the new values and let the computer boot. There are computers in which other keys have to be used to enter BIOS. You can find the correct key when looking at the screen right after pressing the start button. Look for what key you have to press to enter setup.

Please report the results.

[John Hook]

Dread,

It sounds like you may have the "Resume" feature enabled. Resume in generally a laptop feature that allows your computer to 'hibernate" after an assigned amount of time to save power. When Windows goes into this "hibernation" mode, it first dumps an entire image of the running computer's memory contents to a file on the hard drive then powers-off. When you "resume" - generally by keyboard or mouse activity, the computer turns back on and loads that memory file from the hard drive, leaving you exactly in the state you were in when the PC when into hibernation. This in ONE possible scenario to describe what's happening.

The other possibility is that some computer's BIOS have settings that allow you to schedule when the computer turns on each day. You can schedule to PC to power on / off at designated times by manipulating settings in your PC's BIOS setup screen.

If you gave me more information - i.e. the PC brand, model, etc - I might be able to give you more insight into WHY your PC is behaving this way.

Hope this helps.

John

[Dread Zer0]

Thank you guys for your reply. I shall check/do the following you
have suggested me, and shall get back to you, as soon as possible.
I really appreciate the help.

Here are some extra information:
Operating System: Windows XP Professional.
System Manufacturer: Intel.
System Model: D845GBV_.
Processor: Intel Pentium 4 CPU 2.00GHz.
Graphics Card: Intel 82845G/GL Graphics Controller.
Monitor Brand: Acer.

Hope that helps, and if you need anymore information, just give me
a shout. I'm horrible when it gets to in-depth Computer stuff, but i'll
try my best to understand everything.

Regards,
Dread Zer0.

Edited by Dread Zer0, 29 March 2008 - 11:41 PM.

[Dread Zer0]

I checked and Hibernation isn't Enabled. So i'm guessing
it's not that. About your method, The Skeptic, I don't really like
to "tinker" around the contents of the inside of my Computer.

I really appreciate all the help and all, but i'm too worried to
screw up the inside.

If you have any other opinions on how to
fix my problem without actually opening my Computer, i'm willing
to give a try.

I'll have a look around Bios, and check if anything is unusual there.
Thanks again.

Regards,
Dread Zer0.

[John Hook]

Dread,

Here are a few things to try:

- Go to http://www.intel.com...bd/bv/index.htm and download and flash your motherboard with the latest BIOS

- Turn off the Windows XP Hibernation & Power features by going into "Control Panel", "Power Options", then DISABLE hibernation
and set the power button options to "Turn off PC" and the Sleep Button option to "Do Nothing". This essentially turns of the
hibernation features on your system - which I suspect MAY be causing your problems.

Hope this helps

- John

[Dread Zer0]

I get time yesturday to try and update my Bios. I'll do it today
and get back to you. I did the second thing you asked me to do,
but still no dice.

I wrote down what the screen said right after when my problem
occurs:

Intel Pentium 4 Processor, 2 GHz.
255MB System Ram.

Legacy Keyboard...Detected.
Legacy Mouse...Detected.
USB Legacy...Enabled.

Atapi CD-Rom HC-DT-ST DVD RA GSA-41
Atapi CD-Rom Samsung DVD ROM SD-616
Fixed Disk 0: ST340810A (Ultra DMA Mode ATA/100)

CMOS/GPNV Checksum Bad

I'm guessing that what The Skeptic said might be right, because the last
part of that says my "CMOS/GPNV Checksum Bad". Though,
i'm not a computer expert. Hope that helps, and thanks again.

Regards,
Dread Zer0.

[John Hook]

Dread Zer0,

Sounds like the CMOS is corrupted. You should replace the battery on the motherboard (usually a flat, quarter-sized lithium battery) which maintains the realtime clock and the CMOS data. After that, you need to locate the jumper on the motherboard to reset the CMOS. If that doesn't fix the CMOS checksum error - then you likely have a bad CMOS chip. Those chips are usually socketed and can be replaced.

- Hope this helps

[Dread Zer0]

Oh, I see. Just one last question, if the Battery isn't replaced
immediately, will it cause any damages to my computer? Thanks again.

Regards,
Dread Zer0.

[happyrock]

nope but you will not get it to boot...the batteries only cost about $6 bucks and you can replace them in about 10 minutes...you probably won't even have to rest the cmos

Edited by happyrck, 30 March 2008 - 07:06 PM.

[Dread Zer0]

Oh, thanks for that. This topic can be closed and deleted now.
Thanks for all the people that helped, especially John Hook. I hope
someday, i'm able to help others the way you helped me.

Sincerly,
Dread Zer0.