Windows 2000/XP shuts down and powers down while booting

[dinesh_ms]

Hello,
I Have a System with following configuration
CPU - PIII 800
RAM - 256 MB
Hard Disks - 20 GB; 40 GB
CD-Rom Drive
CD - Writer
Tv Tuner Card - Mercury Comapny
Operating Systems - Windows ME,Windows 2000, Windows XP, Red Hat Linux 6.2

Since 2 days I have a problem with windows 2000 and XP both of them are shuting down and power down themselves while booting. This problem existed before 2 days in a different manner, then it used to shut down only on restarts. If i start the system by giving a gap of 1 hour then it works fine.This power doen action takes place at any stage but if the OS has to run Chksdsk while booting then it waits untill the checking is complete and then power downs.

windows ME on the same system does not have any problem.
Virus problems could be ruled out because this happens with windows 2000 installed on another partition just for testing this. Corrutiopn of files also does not seem to be the problem. Any driver problem issues should not be present since the alternate Win 2000 and Win Xp contain only the barebones installation of the operating system. No recent hardware or driver updates have been done. If this is something related to overheating etc. then it should also affect windows ME.

I am saying it powers down because power to the hard disks,cd reader,cd writer, keyboard are cut off and the restart button also does not work. restarting dhould be done only through the main power button.
The shuting down does not follow the regular sequence of closing evrything, logging out etc. It just does it in fraction of a second.
i had been searching the Net for a soultion but unable to get one. If any one can
please send me a positive reply at my address as soon as posible then it would be very helpful
to me.

Regards,
Dinesh
<dinesh_ms@bigfoot.com>

[degsy]

Welcome

In 2000 & XP goto System Properties and goto Startup & Recovery section and see if Automatically Shutdown is checked.
If it is uncheck it.
Now, if you have a System Error it should give a blue screen.


2000 & XP have highy requirements, so if it is a Hardware error then it may only happen in those systems because they are pushing it harder.

[dinesh_ms]

Startup & Recovery ection you are pointing to is when system rebboots due to a bug check etc. This does happen sometimes to me and at that time an event is logged to the System Event log. But this is not that since no event is logged. The system powers down barely after i get to the login screen so i cant change anything now since even safe mode mode does not work.

If it is a hardware problem how do i no which is the faulty component.

Thanks for replying

Dinesh
dinesh_ms@bigfoot.com

[degsy]

It would probably be trial & error.

You could try with a basic system that only includes what you need to run the pc.
VGA, CPU, 1xRAM stick, 1xHDD, CD-ROM.

Leave other cards/devices out of the system.

[dinesh_ms]

My system is Up though i dont why or how it happened however it is back to its previous state where a restart of the system means that iit will power down and i have to wait for 1 hour and start it as i mentioned i my first post.

Though the main problem is solved i still would like feedback on the secondary one whih has been hogging me for more than 2 1/2 years.

Thanks for the reply.

Dinesh
<dinesh_ms@bigfoot.com>