Can computers "auto restart"?

[blacklabman]

Several days ago I got the dreaded blue screen of death: Dell Dimension 4700with Microsoft XP. I was able to get control back with safe restart. I decided to leave the unit on overnight. I turned off the monitor. This morning when I turned the monitor on the antivirus had run and my organizer was set on today's calendar. This sequence only happens when I turn the unit on in the morning.

Wonder if I should do a normal shutdown and hope something inside has reset to the proper configuration....or take it to a specialist.

 

[twinoaks207]

Several days ago I got the dreaded blue screen of death: Dell Dimension 4700with Microsoft XP. I was able to get control back with safe restart. I decided to leave the unit on overnight. I turned off the monitor. This morning when I turned the monitor on the antivirus had run and my organizer was set on today's calendar. This sequence only happens when I turn the unit on in the morning.

Wonder if I should do a normal shutdown and hope something inside has reset to the proper configuration....or take it to a specialist.

First, I am not a computer expert -- I just have some knowledge (kind of like staying at a Holiday Inn Express ).

Do you have your computer configured to do automatic updates with Microsoft? Some of the up-dates will do an automatic restart of your computer.

Wait for the "experts" to weigh in on this one -- they'll be posting shortly, I'm sure (lots of these guys do this for a living so they know a LOT!).

Good luck!

 

[blacklabman]

First, I am not a computer expert -- I just have some knowledge (kind of like staying at a Holiday Inn Express ).

Do you have your computer configured to do automatic updates with Microsoft? Some of the up-dates will do an automatic restart of your computer.

Wait for the "experts" to weigh in on this one -- they'll be posting shortly, I'm sure (lots of these guys do this for a living so they know a LOT!).

Good luck!

Yes! There are automatic updates, but I only get them when I shut it down.

 

[blazinlow89]

Yes! There are automatic updates, but I only get them when I shut it down.

Some times windows updater will give a countdown in the bottom right corner, currently I am on the 4 hour postpone. Basically if you don't let it update on it's own, it will do it for you.

 

[twinoaks207]

Some times windows updater will give a countdown in the bottom right corner, currently I am on the 4 hour postpone. Basically if you don't let it update on it's own, it will do it for you.

 

[blacklabman]

Thanks! If it restarted itself properly, maybe I will chance it and shut it down tonight and restart in the morning. If the problem returns.....off to the specialist.

 

[GWguy]

If the computer BSODs, sometimes it will stay at the blue screen, and sometimes, depending on the reason for the BSOD, it will auto-restart. Just depends on the conditions.

 

[blacklabman]

if the computer bsods, sometimes it will stay at the blue screen, and sometimes, depending on the reason for the bsod, it will auto-restart. Just depends on the conditions.

bsod???

 

[twinoaks207]

bsod???

"Blue Screen Of Death"

 

[RPMDAD]

Also blacklabman just to be safe make sure all your data and files are backed up someplace safe.

 

[Toxick]

I decided to leave the unit on overnight. I turned off the monitor. This morning when I turned the monitor on the antivirus had run and my organizer was set on today's calendar. This sequence only happens when I turn the unit on in the morning.

Those things are probably scheduled to be performed in the middle of the night, however, if you're computer is turned off during the scheduled maintenance, it does so at it's earliest opportunity, i.e. when you turn your computer on.

If you usually turn your computer off overnight, you're probably just unaccustomed to the default behavior. I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[blacklabman]

Those things are probably scheduled to be performed in the middle of the night, however, if you're computer is turned off during the scheduled maintenance, it does so at it's earliest opportunity, i.e. when you turn your computer on.

If you usually turn your computer off overnight, you're probably just unaccustomed to the default behavior. I wouldn't worry about it.

Good!

For other reasons I had to do a restart. Everything worked fine. Hope this is single time clitch.

 

[DEEKAYPEE8569]

Also blacklabman just to be safe make sure all your data and files are backed up someplace safe.

Might be worth investing in one of those 1Tb external harddrives?

 

[Crewdawg141]

Might be worth investing in one of those 1Tb external harddrives?

They are worth their weight and then some if your system crashes and cannot retrieve anything from the dearly departed system.

 

[DEEKAYPEE8569]

They are worth their weight and then some if your system crashes and cannot retrieve anything from the dearly departed system.

Oh, I know they are. My Mom's computer was slow as H*ll; or always crashing.
Come to find out she had "tons" of pics and vids of my Neices and Nephews; you know....."baby's first steps", choral recitals and that kinda thing; stored on the harddrive.
Dad got an external 1TB HD and moved all that stuff.
Made a world of difference.