Power On/Off Vista

[Theotocopulos]

I have never been able to achieve a normal power off
using the power switch, but had to use the options
provided by Vista Home Premium.
I am still having problems with dekstop freezing, and
with frustration I pressed the power switch rapidly several
times and to my surprise it shut itself down - legally.
Nothing like the action you get by holding in the power
switch for about 5 seconds.

My question is :
Is my power switch now operating normally
after being faulty for almost 2 years, or is it now faulty,
providing a shutdown which should not be available?

Thanks

 

[stew2]

Are you talking about the power switch located on the pc case?

If so that button should only be used in an emergency to shutdown. The proper way to shut down is to go into the vista start orb and use the shutdown options there.

Its no wonder your pc's freezing etc if your using the power button on the pc to shutdown. Its supposed to be for starting your pc up and nothing else.

If you want to make it easier to shutdown you can change the deafault power button from "Sleep" to "Shutdown" by following this guide:

Power Options

 

[Theotocopulos]

Thanks.
Since there was no previous action on the button I could
not use it, so the desktop problem and it's cure lie
somewhere else.
Something has changed the option to power off.
Perhaps the quick, repeated presses on the switch.

I often rescue the situation by ejection and closing the
DVD with a disc in. This forces a windows dialog asking
what I want to do with the disk. Sometimes the hungup desktop then allows me to close down.
I had suspected cabling or power problems, since two
instances.
1) I banged the front of the case and the above DVD action -
also hung up - then worked.
2) I moved the ribbon cabling behind the DVD and also
same action.
I have been unable to repeat this though.

 

[stew2]

Since there was no previous action on the button I could not use it, so the desktop problem and it's cure lie somewhere else. Something has changed the option to power off. Perhaps the quick, repeated presses on the switch.

I dont understand what your trying to say . But anyway STOP using the power button on your pc case. Youv probably caused some damage to vista by doing that and thats why your pc is freezing.

 

[Theotocopulos]

Thanks for persisting. I have only used the power button 3 times.
The desktop freezing has been with me from the start, about 2 yrs ago.
I have anther thread describing it. Windows has failed to open Security Options Dialog

Even during this typing session, the background music program Winamp and IExplorer froze.
I hammered the case and it seemed to unfreeze them.
By the way, I have reinstalled Vista more times than I can remember.

The computer and monitor cost me 800 English pounds and I cannot afford to throw it away.

Theo

 

[echrada]

Using the power off button and hammering the case.... not very good practice in my opinion. You should not treat your computer like that. Rather find the cause and fix it properly.

 

[stew2]

Echrada's right. If you continue to use a pc like that it will eventually brake components.

Heres what you should do:

1. Open your pc case and clean out all the dust and route cables away neatly.
2. Back up all your data.
3. Perform a clean install of vista formatting the whole hard drive
4. Do as it says HERE
5. Apply some of these TWEAKS if you wish
6. Stop treating your pc like **** :D