Help! My computer is caught in an endless loop. Every time I try to shut down, Win ME goes through the motions then the whole start up sequence begins anew. Sometimes I can get as far as the "You may turn off your computer now" screen, sometimes not. The newfangled switch on the computer doesn't work of course, being child/idiot proof and only enabled for turn on, not off. So after a few moments the whole thing just reboots. Sometimes, upon reboot, ScanDisk pops up. Sometimes not. The only thing I can do is run over and unplug the computer during the power down phase. High tech! Any ideas? I can't tell if it's a software or hardware problem, related to network/DSL or indeed if there are trolls and demons living inside the computer case. Like the ones under my bed, these ones disappear whenever I look. I've tried a clean boot using selective start up, Winoptimizer and Norton Utilities to clean up the registry, even format and rebuild and am now contemplating a 12 gauge shotgun. Any other suggestions? Win ME 800 Mhz Piii 256 RAM 2 Network cards [DSL/Home network] Audio PCI [Soundblaster compatible] sound card

The "new fangled switch" must be held in for several seconds before the machine will power down. That is, if it will power down - I had intermittent problems with my machine a few months ago. If you search this list, you will see that many have had problems with the power on/off sequence. Most of them have been resolved by (a) getting the latest video and audio drivers for your system, and (b) insuring that you have the latest BIOS upgrade. If your machine is a new one that is branded, you might also check with the manufacturer's tech support.

Hi, It seems you have hardware or software conflict. There are one or more software or hardware which have incomptibility for ur system under Win Me. First, we will check software side. When Windows starting up, press F8 and there is a menu. Choose safe mode. Then go to msconfig than uncheck all except Explorer. Then restart....normal session...then try shut down. If ur system shutdown normally, that means u should uninstall the software u installed lately than try again. If not, that means u have hardware problems. First u should update all ur drivers. If the problem still occur, go to safemode to uninstall all the drivers than back to normal mode. If the problem still occur, do unplug all ur hardware except ur base hardware such as keyboard, monitor, harddrive and replug one by one to troubleshooting. If still occur, clean ur fan..probaby heat problem. If still occur check ur RAM stick and motherboard...probably damaged.

I finally got it. The whole thing was caused by the Wake-On-Lan setting in the bios and one of the NICs. When I first got the computer I disabled Wake-On-Lan but it seems to have re-enabled itself somehow. It won't escape my notice again. Thanks for all your advice. Cheers... One Happy Hacker