Serious problem! Computer that boots by itself!?

[DXnfiniteFX]

Yes, the subject says it all. It's very strange. I don't think my system specs are important, nor the drivers for my hardware. If it is off, it's off. If it's on, it's on. But this thing has been acting strange recently! This probelm showed up and since I browse the boards every-so-often, I thought I could get some help here. Anyways, here's my specs:

Windows XP Home Edition--Service Pack 1
2.0 GHz Northwood Pentium 4
845-D chipset
Geforce 4 Ti 4600
Sound Blaster Live!
80 GB 7200 RPM hard disk
16x DVD-ROM

Note that everything I have has the latest drivers. I have also just recently reformatted my computer to install Service Pack 1. What could be the culprit?

Yesterday night, I turned my PC off and sleep. As soon as I wake up, I see the power light. . . What in the world!? So I turn it off and head off to school. . . Only to discover when I come back that the thing is on again! Can anyone help? I am computer literate, but this is the single strangest case I have ever had!

Note: I do not believe the problem to be the BIOS, as it didn't create any problems until just several days ago. I don't believe drivers are the culprit, as something that is off cannot read drivers. Besides, I already installed the latest drivers already for all my hardware. I don't believe the OS is responsible, because as OS that isn't running can't cause problems on a computer that isn't running. . . Again, I just recently did a clean install just for Service Pack 1.

PLEASE, HELP!

[LORD-eX-Bu]

eh, I have one word for you. POLTERGEIST!:eek: I'd call an indian guy over to your house or something, and keep away from the TV and mirrors... in fact, MOVE!:p

[Essense]

#1 make sure no one in the house has used your computer and left it on.

#2 make sure "Wake on Lan" or "Wake on Ring" or any other "Wake on" option is disabled in the bios. Those are the only things that could cause this problem.

Regards,
Mike

[FastM]

I have heard of this before over at www.AmdMB.com so your not alone, but i have no idea why or a solution.

[Spectral]

Hehe, the same thing sorta happened to me the other day.

I put in my old network card again cause I just got my dsl back, and my computer turned itself on as soon as the network card started going into the slot...

Freaked me out... So, I totally disconnected the power and put it back in. Hasnt happened since.

[Matthyahuw]

I had this issue on 2 computers before...the 1st one was what Essense pointed out, WOL was enabled, and for some reason, that computer didn't like my hub, and the hub woke it up constantly for no reason...

2nd computer had power issues. When there was a power surge/outage/brownout it came to life...

So here's what ya do, disable the "wake..." stuff in the BIOS, and if you need to, get an "online" UPS with brownout protection...

[thcdru2k]

i think you need to get your computer exorcised.

http://www.iit.edu/~phillips/personal/grammary/c-pos.html

[DXnfiniteFX]

Here's a new development. I checked my device manager and all my networking and modem devices do not have the capability to bring the PC out of standby. Shutdown seems like an entirely different matter. . . In any case, it only seems to happen when I shut it off recently. If it doesn't turn on after several hours, it stays off. But if it decides to turn on, it only does so when it has been shut off recently.

Although it is still happening every-so-often, I want to thank everyone for their help. Keep the suggestions coming!

[netviper13]

there could be a short in your power switch?

[DXnfiniteFX]

First of all, I want to thank everyone here for their help in this issue.

Things are looking slightly better. I litterally removed the power to my surge protector for about half an hour. I have also enabled the hibernation feature, though I have never used to before. Strangely enough, doing one, the other, or both seemed to have its effect. The issue hasn't popped up since. Certainly, this is better than nothing.

I will let you guys know if anything new turns up. Again, thanks for the help.

[thcdru2k]

you could've forgone all that trouble if you just performed the exorcism :)

[LORD-eX-Bu]

Well, this isn't really anything I should be bragging about, but I am a Priest. Yep, you didn't read wrong, I am a priest.:D

[thcdru2k]

wow..that is cool. never would've expected that you were. never really met a priest into computers heh.

[DXnfiniteFX]

OK, i replied. Most of you all know what's coming up. . . Yes, it didn't completely go away. The problem is still around.

And please, don't give me stuff about poltergeists and exorcisms. I take this problem very seriously, and would prefer serious replies.

I have a good amount of knowledge about my computer, but I know jack about power supplies. The crap just seems to turn on for no apparent reason. Also, my network card is connected to nothing, could it still cause trouble?

Any more ideas?

[kingsna]

ok i have assembled/sold something close to 1500 systems until now and never had any problems of such a manner and neither any of my customers. why?
i always use a surge protector and i give one free with any system i sell because the number one reason why a computer gets wasted is because of crazy power surges and they're not always caused by power plugs.

those people who have cable modems connected to their systems experience power surges and often burn your cpu/mobo!

so if you already have a GOOD surge protector and don't have a cable internet or cable TV on your computer, and have checked the wake on LAN options on both your motherboard bios and/or your modem off,

i suggest you call an EXORCIST to fix your problem for you!!!

peace!

[styles-T]

hrmm..

Try unplugging your whole system including your power plug on your pc..if it turns itself on then I think you have paranormal spirits trying to use your internet connection..Try calling the Ghostbusters as everyone else has stated..

I've worked on tons of Comps and never heard this one..

Goodluck:eek:

[DXnfiniteFX]

Very stange indeed. I already have a surge protector and disabled all wake options I can think of. I also don't have broadband either. So. . . I really doubt there's ghosts in my room. I want to thank you guys again for a serious reply.

[thcdru2k]

oh yeah check your power supply cable, or power connection. could be loose, or replace it all together.

[xMonoxide187x]

My cat likes to poke the power button on my computer with her nose, and eject floppys and CD's and such. If you've got a pet, that could be the problem. I cant tell you how many times ive come home and started freaking out when i couldnt turn on my PC, then realized the damn thing stepped on my Surge Protector main switch.