PC has packed up this morning. I found it switched off and on restarting the above error came up with "press any key to restart" and now the power button does nothing. Any clues in the error message. Glad I've at least got my AMD64 to fall back on, but the XP2200+ has a lot of data etc on it I could do with not losing.

Thanks.

Off to new job in a second so not sure what/if/when/how I'll next be on here.

Good luck with the new job mate.

Sounds like you might have a corrupted or U/S hard disk.

Running XP? Boot off the XP CD and do a repair on it...should sort the problem without affecting your data...

Rob.

This has been happening a lot on XP and Windows 2000/2003 Servers. It happens due to a corrupt Windows Update and when the machine restarts itself, you get the error. Running a repair from the XP setup CD should sort it.

This has been happening a lot on XP and Windows 2000/2003 Servers. It happens due to a corrupt Windows Update and when the machine restarts itself, you get the error. Running a repair from the XP setup CD should sort it.

:eek: Which update? Surely it can't just be a corrupted download because the WU software checks that the downloaded files have a valid MS signature before installing them :confused:

:eek: Which update? Surely it can't just be a corrupted download because the WU software checks that the downloaded files have a valid MS signature before installing them :confused:

Not the first time MS let something out the door that had a flaw......

Not sure this PC has a setup disk / CD. Will have to route through the software I got with the tower. I have left a floppy drive in it, but its not programmed to boot from it. Just in case, I'll give it a go with it removed. Just seems odd the power button is now doing nothing at all - LIke its electricallt dead.

New job is going OK at the moment. Being broken in gently.

Jason

The power switch is proberbly fine, try pressing and holding for about 5 seconds, the pc should turn off then.

The PC is off - but its not restarting. Thats what I meant. Unless you mean maybe it looks dead but might be live inside still?

What about pulling off the power lead and putting it back in?.

Check all internal cables?

Try another PSU?

Could be any number of reasons, I would try the above first. If these are ok and the problems persist then suspect a HD problem.

could be hardware: iffy psu spiking the hard disk, then dying...folding's not kind to desktops...!

:eek: Which update? Surely it can't just be a corrupted download because the WU software checks that the downloaded files have a valid MS signature before installing them :confused:

My experience points to the WU not installing correctly (perhaps the download is fine) and causes a BSoD when rebooted afterwards. Having over 50 servers running around Ireland, I've had 3 die because of this issue over the last year.

Well, still dead now but only just got back in, so its gonna have to wait until tomorrow. Buit annoying havign to use my amd-64 as the layout's all wrong and I'm using a keyboard on my lap and have to reach for the mouse. 14" screen is rubbish too, so scrolling is a mare.

Ok.... I read the above post, and after turning off the screen on the amd64 I looked at my dead PC and thought "f*** it"

So I clambered underneath so just my head poked out and looked at the back - flicked the PSU to off, and heard a previously unaudible whirring noise cease. Thought. "oh" - so reached back to the front blindly and tested the power button - blow me, it bloody booted up.....

Easiest, cheapest IT fix ever. turn PSU off then on, and restart. :woohoo:

/mode="The IT Crowd"/

"Have ye troid switchin' it off an' on again?"

Phil

PC Users guide

Rule 1: When it looks knackered, turn off and restart it!!

/mode="The IT Crowd"/

"Have ye troid switchin' it off an' on again?"

Phil

PMSL!!! Excellent show!

If only it worked every time...

/mode="The IT Crowd"/

"Have ye troid switchin' it off an' on again?"

Phil

Ok , well are you *sure* it's plugged in?

Hope this is just quoting a show I've never seen and not taking the michael. I felt pretty embarrassed, but also chuffed it was such an easy solution (still going fine now)

I get the same message when I accedentally leave in my USB memory sticks. XP's boot sequence looks at the memory stick for bootable files before looking at the hard disk. Have you tried turning it off, unplugging everything except the essentials, ie monitor, mouse & keyboard (i.e. all ancilliaries - scanners, memory sticks, modems, network cables etc) and try that.

I suggest replacing the chair keyboard interface. I find using a more suitable spare usually helps

I suggest replacing the chair keyboard interface. I find using a more suitable spare usually helps

Can I buy one of these fangled interfaces from PC World?

You can trade in for a new one