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Resolved Question

Computer logs itself off

Nov 27, 2011 3:22AM PST

I have a Compaq Presario Desktop PC ( SR5350F) that of late (three or four times) has done something I have not seen before. The monitor screen will go black and after a minute or so the unit will log itself off. Sound like anything obvious???

Any advice would be appreciated

Discussion is locked

mil has chosen the best answer to their question. View answer
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Clarification Request
Which OS is used?
Nov 27, 2011 8:11AM PST
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Clarification Request
Yes, you can save all of them in plain text files.
Nov 29, 2011 10:04AM PST

Best Answer

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Auto logoff is possible.
Nov 27, 2011 4:39AM PST

We also have power saving settings to explore. Why not go look?

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logs inself off
Nov 27, 2011 7:58AM PST

Sorry but I do not understand the answer......

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Screen saver?
Nov 27, 2011 8:01AM PST

Is this a screen saver? If the password option is set then when you press any key the monitor will come back on but you will need to enter the password again.

I am assuming you mean logged off, and not shut down.

Mark

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shuts down
Nov 27, 2011 9:06AM PST

What happens is that the monitor screen goes black...stays that wa for about a minute and then the computer shuts all the way down.....

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So that's not jut a log off
Nov 27, 2011 7:45PM PST

but a shut-down.

I would still check your screen saver settings and also check the Advanced settings for power management.

Mark

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unit logs off
Nov 27, 2011 9:39PM PST

I have checked power saving settings...(it is not checked)

As for screen saver settings.....there doesn't seem to be anything amis (not that I am any expert, to be sure). Is there anything in particular I should be looking for there??

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Although the very first response asked ...
Nov 28, 2011 2:04PM PST

for you to tell us the Operating system you are using you have so far avoided doing so which makes responding with informed suggestions difficult.

Here is a link that might serve you as it offers methods to shut down three versions of Microsoft Windows (although it doesn't address Linux or BSD or the Mac or even earlier versions of Microsoft Windows):
http://www.thespinningdonut.com/how-to-automatically-shut-down-your-windows-7-computer/

Now we KNOW you do NOT want it shutting down but if we know how to auto shutdown and it is a scheduled event then we can eliminate the event in much the same manner as it was created.

You might (if using Windows NT 3.1 or later) take a look at your Event Viewer as the cause of the shut downs might well be logged.

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computer shuts down
Nov 28, 2011 9:36PM PST

Sorry.......I have Vista Home Premium (Service pack 2) and Windows 7

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And as in NT 3.1 or later, there is the Event log.
Nov 29, 2011 3:30AM PST

"take a look at your Event Viewer"

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COMPUTER SHUTS DOWN
Nov 29, 2011 5:31AM PST

Thanks..is there anything in particular I should be looking for in "Event Viewer"?

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If you can't decode what you see.
Nov 29, 2011 5:49AM PST

Copy it here for all to see.

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computer shuts down
Nov 29, 2011 7:59AM PST

I would if I could figure out how to do that...........

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Specifically
Nov 29, 2011 7:23PM PST

In the Event Viewer you are looking at logs for "System" and for good measure, "Application".

When this system suddenly shuts down again, make a note of the time. You already know the date. Restart the system and once Windows has loaded and is stable head directly over to the Event Viewer, (Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Event Viewer).

In the left hand pane expand "Windows Logs" and you will see a list of logs. You will want to check the System logs first, then Application logs.

Highlight System and in the middle pane the log will display. This is a listing of everything that happens under the hood.

Middle pane, top area is where the list is. You are looking for events that occurred at the time of the sudden shutdown. Highlight each to see a General description in the area below.

You are looking for clues what, if anything, caused the system to suddenly shutdown.

If there are no errors or warnings in System, check the Application logs.

I see you mention Vista Home Premium and Windows 7. Can you explain that? Which system is this problem present? Is this a dual boot computer or different computers? If dual boot, does this only happen on one OS, (which one), but not the other?

Mark

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Specifically new response
Nov 29, 2011 8:59PM PST

Sometimes i think the older I get, the dumber i get.. I was thinking one thing and typing another....NOT Windows..7..Explorer 7 (which should not have any impact, I assume) on the issue at hand. I will try to do as suggested and see what I find out
thanks for all responses