Troubleshoot Windows startup trouble - random PC booting after each pressing of the Power button

[oldschool]

Briefly explain your current issue(s)

PC won't restart from GUI, needs multiple attempts to start after shutdown

Steps taken to resolve, but have been unsuccessful

Ran sfc /scannow and DISM, disabled Intel Management Engine, uninstalled security softs and recovery app, deleted and merged partitions.

I need to clean install Windows 10 but I'm having trouble entering BIOS to change the boot order > USB. Is it possible to clean install W10 using MCT's setup.exe? It looks to me like it only allows an in-place install with options to keep apps & files, files only or nothing at all. I've never clean installed Windows before but I'd prefer to as this would be the best option so I can wipe my entire disk.I'm not certain I can do this without entering BIOS, etc. TIA

 

[Local Host]

When I cold startup I need to make one or, usually several attempts


Yes, Windows shows restarting screen but then goes black and doesn't restart. Normal shutdown works, but I will test again. I'll be back.

The saga continues ...

That was also a known issue on Windows 10 Build 1703, your issue may be due to drivers (or oudated BIOS) for sure.

 

[Andy Ful]

When I cold startup I need to make one or, usually several attempts
...

Can you boot in safe mode without errors?

 

[oldschool]

@Local Host - OK, I just shut down from within Windows and Windows appeared to shutdown, but PC did not power off. But it did startup with one press of Power.

@Andy Ful - I have power button set in Settings > Control panel to shutdown on press. I have not tried booting to safe mode but I think I would have to enable it in BIOS, IIRC, unless there is another way.

 

[Andy Ful]

@Local Host - OK, I just shut down from within Windows and Windows appeared to shutdown, but PC did not power off. But it did startup with one press of Power.

@Andy Ful - I have power button set in Settings > Control panel to shutdown on press. I have not tried booting to safe mode but I think I would have to enable it in BIOS, IIRC, unless there is another way.

Log out > use restart option with <Shift> key

 

[oldschool]

Log out > use restart option with <Shift> key
View attachment 217172

After my last post, I shutdown via Windows and it shutdown completely. Multiple normal startup attempts with Power button failed but pressing and holding a couple of seconds + Enter got a startup interrupted from normal > BIOS options > escape to Windows.

Yes, I just searched safe booting on Lenovo site but will try your method next. Stay tuned ...

 

[Gandalf_The_Grey]

Would disabling fast boot help with the shutdown issues?

The Pros and Cons of Windows 10's "Fast Startup" Mode

Windows 10's Fast Startup (called Fast Boot in Windows 8) works similarly to the hybrid sleep mode of previous versions of Windows.

www.howtogeek.com

 

[oldschool]

I am posting from within Safe Mode, with its really awful graphics, but without logging off. (I just saw that part! ) No errors.

 

[Andy Ful]

I am posting from within Safe Mode, with its really awful graphics, but without logging off. (I just saw that part! ) No errors.

Does everything work? I mean touchpad, etc.

 

[oldschool]

Does everything work? I mean touchpad, etc.

Shoot, I just restarted from Safe Mode (failed), so here I am in normal mode.

Edit: My mouse worked but didn't try anything else.

 

[Andy Ful]

Could you look at the Device Manager from "Power Menu" to see for installation driver errors?

 

[show-Zi]

If the problem occurs even after changing the boot disk, it is likely to be a hardware problem.
It is considered effective to diagnose whether the cause of the trouble is hardware or Windows.

This thread is currently in the state of 'International Rescue Team'. I wish @oldschool success!:emoji_fingers_crossed:

 

[ForgottenSeer 72227]

I actually thought of an out there idea to test to see if it's windows vs hardware. What if your tried downloading a linux distro (ubuntu, kubuntu, etc...) and either tried installing it, or running it's live installer and see if you experience the same issues? If it shuts down and restarts fine, then it's tied to either Windows, or a driver/bios issue.The way I see it, if it's hardware related, then it will happen with all OSes IMO. Maybe I'm crazy hehe, but it may be a worth while test.

Who knows, maybe you'll like Linux more.

 

[Local Host]

@Local Host - OK, I just shut down from within Windows and Windows appeared to shutdown, but PC did not power off. But it did startup with one press of Power.

I've seen that happen all the time because of fast start-up, but you said it's already turned off.

 

[MalwareTypes]

You could try disabling hibernation completely.

Just run the command prompt as administrator and type:

powercfg.exe /hibernate off

And to turn it on again later:

powercfg.exe /hibernate on

 

[oldschool]

You could try disabling hibernation completely.

Just run the command prompt as administrator and type:

powercfg.exe /hibernate off

And to turn it on again later:

powercfg.exe /hibernate on

I'll try it. Thanks!

 

[oldschool]

Could you look at the Device Manager from "Power Menu" to see for installation driver errors?

??? I updated some drivers but ...

 

[Andy Ful]

??? I updated some drivers but ...

Sometimes the driver is installed, but with problems. If so, it should be uninstalled or disabled and replaced by another one.

Please first send a screenshot if you will find such drivers. Do not uninstall them blindly.:emoji_pray:

 

[oldschool]

Sometimes the driver is installed, but with problems. If so, it should be uninstalled or disabled and replaced by another one.
View attachment 217181
Please first send a screenshot if you will find such drivers. Do not uninstall them blindly.:emoji_pray:

Your image is a little blurry. I assume that is an "!" on a yellow background. I will check again now that I know what to look for.

 

[oldschool]

Update: Restart still fails. I just shutdown and cold started, which required 3 attempts. It seems I need to hold power button down for several seconds and release. This was a fairly painless start compared to many other attempts the last few days. FWIW here is the system log from this startup. Maybe this will give someone with knowledge a clue to what's happening?

 

[Andy Ful]

If you press the Power Button once and you see that computer starts booting, then the Power Button is OK. If I understood your description of the problem, then:

1. after pressing the Power Button the boot process starts, but soon your screen becomes black, the system does not start, and the Log On screen is not visible;
2. the similar thing happens when you restart the system from the normal Widows session;
3. the system starts without errors into Safe Mode and works without errors in Safe Mode;
4. there are no problems with shutting down from Safe Mode;
5. the system has a problem with shutting down from the normal session.

Is the above description true or I missed something?