PC switches off when loading through Windows

[z064life]

Yesterday I was using my PC, doing a bit of web design work, everything was fine.

However, today (Xmas day), I switch my PC on, and when it comes up with the Windows bit after loading the BIOS, the PC switches off but the light on the power button stays green. I haven't done any big changes with my PC, such as installing new hardware, from yesterday to today.

I don't turn my PC off via pressing the power button I always do a full shutdown, and the automatic restart option in System > error reporting is off.. I am on Windows XP Pro SP2.

Any ideas what the problem is?

[GreenV8S]

I would suspect a hardware fault, possibly the PSU gone pear shaped. If you have a hardware diagnostic, try that.

[z064life]

GreenV8S said:

I would suspect a hardware fault, possibly the PSU gone pear shaped. If you have a hardware diagnostic, try that.

Yeah I'll try that. I'm able to be on the net right now as I'm using Safe mode with networking. When the problem occurs and I reboot, that black screen comes up asking if I want to use safe mode, safe mode with networking, last known good config (doesn't work), or start Windows normally (doesn't work). In safe mode, all my apps work fine and all my work and songs are available, but can't play songs as the drivers are not loaded.

[thepassenger]

That smells like a hardware problem. Something has gone 'bad' and when it's puka drivers load it either shuts the system down and/or causes the the screen to blank.

As the machine is working in safe mode, I'd suggest it's either the graphics card or motherboard that have failed.

[shocker-z]

try enable vga mode instead of safemode? if this works then uninstall all display adapter drivers. if this doesn't work then do a system restore from safemode back to before christmas :0

Regards
Liam

[malman]

Sounds like display settings are out of range of monitor - set them to some known good settings in safe mode then reboot.