A computer question if I may....

[Headfry]

Hi kind grapes,

Computer powers up, tries to open windows then shuts down.....any ideas would really help.

Thank you!

[zazen999]

I had this virus once...years back - nightmare.

Have you g**gled it?

[VirginVegGrower]

Press and hold down the F8 key which gives you option to open in safe mode. Laptop or PC? Windows 7 or XP? Does it give you a message that it's closing or does it just blue then black screen - questions in order to correctly diagnose.

[TEB]

Its a pain when that happens, on earlier operating systems like XP and 2000 the O/S was by default designed to shut down and restart, try what VirginVegGrower suggest and start in safe mode, it may be a driver or core file issue (or a virus), in some cases a system restore will help (but not if it was a virus)

[chris]

When you're in safe mode Press F1 (help), search for system restore, then choose a date as close to today as possible (yesterday, day before etc). Let the system restore, you won't loose any data, only an application that you will have installed from that date until today. That *should* sort it

[VirginVegGrower]

Hey who needs Microsoft anyway

[Headfry]

Thanks folks, will check with MR HF at lunch time for answers to your questions. goodness I hope its not a virus. Mr HF very diligent at updating and checking for these.
Zazen - yes it has been 'glogged' and things done, we now have power to the tower but comp still wont start up - I'm getting worried now

[Two_Sheds]

did you do the restart?

It always works for me

[Florence Fennel]

I was so grateful for system restore a few months ago. Regained priceless information I thought had gone forever. Sure you'll sort it HF. Aren't we lucky to have all these experts (and for free too, bonus)

[chris]

Does it beep (POST) when the power to the tower is switched on?

[Headfry]

ok an up date - its XP

Power comes on then instantly switches off. Screen not even gone black or blue!
Mr HF has cleared 'SEMOS memory' as suggested by either gloggel or friend in IT

Wrings hands and worries even more now.

[TEB]

ok an up date - its XP

Power comes on then instantly switches off. Screen not even gone black or blue!
Mr HF has cleared 'SEMOS memory' as suggested by either gloggel or friend in IT

Wrings hands and worries even more now.

Do you get anything on the screen, like the option to go into setup or BIOS! Do you mean CMOS memory, if so then I wouldn't recommend altering this as it shouldn't have any effect with the issue you were having in your first post.

[bearded bloke]

If it is not even trying to boot up at a guess I would say the power supply has died

[chris]

Ask mr hf to check ram is seated correctly / reseat it

If the psu is unplugged from the main board does the pus power up and fan spin in the unit?

[VirginVegGrower]

The power supply may not spin up because it's not connected to the logic board {motherboard}, however if all you hear is the noise of the fans starting and then stopping whilst connected up then it sounds like the PSU is shutting down because it is:
1. detecting a fault with a connected device such as a disk.
2. detecting a fault with the motherboard.
So (and this depends on how old the pc is, so it may have the newer combined power and data cables to to the hard drive(s)).

Look for white connectors with red, yellow and black wires, these are the connectors to the disk drives..
Disconnect all the devices connected via 4 pin white connectors (cd roms, dvd drives)
Disconnect any floppy drive power connectors (small white).

Then start up the machine, if the power stays on and you get some beeps, count the number, some may be longer than others. The beep code is a diagnostic aid to working out what is wrong (and goes back to the earliest days of the PC)..

Please report back. [Mr VVG :-)]