Power-down / Stand-by issue

[alpinemonkey]

Not too sure if this is the right forum for this thread, but I'm pretty sure it's a software issue I have.

My PC is a custom-build. It runs Windows XP Pro and works like a dream. However, it acts incredibly strangely in regard to power.

Let me explain : Normally, in the usual use of the PC, to shut it down I go to the start menu and choose shut down and then the pc does its stuff EXCEPT that when it gets to the final screen "Windows is shutting down..." I have to PRESS AND HOLD the power button on the tower to turn the power off. Similarly, if I Restart the PC from the Start-menu then when it gets to that last screen I have to PHYSICALLY PRESS THE RESTART BUTTON in order for the restart to happen.

Now, this doesn't bother me too much except that it means I can't use the Stand-By function available, as again I can only physically restart or turn-off, it won't automatically stand-by (and I know it's capable of doing so re. the advanced power settings etc.)

My attention has mainly been brought to this as when using the PC in SAFE MODE (as I have had to recently to get rid of some nasty little bugs), the PC's power functions work ABSOLUTELY FINE. By this I mean that I don't need to hold and press the power button at all to turn it off, and it will restart autonatically (the other difference being that Stand-By is unavailble in safe mode, but I presume this is just a regular safe-mode-thing).

So is there a way of getting my PC's power functions to operate the way they do in Safe Mode, so that I don't have to keep waiting for it to shut-down in order that I manually restart or turn off?

Thanks in advance.

[chrisling]

Seems like there are some system files missing or unuseable. Try repair your Windows with your Windows installer. I ever face so before, I hope it's the same as last time what I was facing. Repair Windows won't alter or change your files and folders, don't worry... :)

[alpinemonkey]

I don't see why I'd have to go to the lengths of repairing Windows to fix this.

If it works in Safe Mode then the files obviously aren't lost or unuseable.

Anybody else help?? :confused:

[alpinemonkey]

There simply MUST be somebody who understands this.

Repairing Windows XP will be a nightmare for me at the moment.

Why can't the neccessary files be found/used when not in Safe Mode??

I'm trying to reduce my carbon footprint here!!! :confused:

[Whyzman]

Don't know if anything here will help troubleshoot:

http://www.theeldergeek.com/shutdown_issues_in_xp.htm

[alpinemonkey]

Yeah, I've tried there before. My problem is a bit more tricky than that though. I've tried everything on there but to no avail. It's a wierd one! :rolleyes:

[Whyzman]

Hmmm...you might want to check this out:

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm